Apply Yourself to the Field Ministry for the Week of February 15-21, 2027

Starting Conversations

Publisher: Good morning. Am I interrupting you while you assemble that? I can come back another time.

Householder: No, I was just taking a break. I have two screws left over and I don’t know where they go. Go ahead.

Publisher: I brought you this tract with a Bible message. Do you think the Bible can still help us get along better with others?

Householder: Well, I don’t know. My mother used to read it a lot. But here, for example, we have problems with noise. We all know that we should respect one another, and yet everyone does whatever he wants.

Publisher: That’s true; knowing something is not the same as doing it. Have you been able to talk about it with the neighbors, or is that difficult?

Householder: We have a messaging group. One person complains, another answers rudely, and in the end we all argue. I work shifts. Sometimes I need to sleep when everyone else is carrying on with their normal activities.

Publisher: So you’re not asking for silence all day; you just want them to take your schedule into account.

Householder: Exactly. Although I admit that the other day I wrote quite angrily. I had been sleeping badly for two nights, and they were dragging furniture around upstairs. But I don’t want to go door-to-door explaining myself either.

Publisher: I understand that you don’t want to tell your whole life story to the entire building. There is a piece of advice from Jesus that can guide you in making such a request. Would you like me to read it?

Householder: Yes, if it’s short. But as I said, I’m not very religious.

Publisher: Thank you for telling me. You can consider the idea without feeling obligated to agree with me. Notice what Jesus says at Matthew 7:12.

Publisher: Matthew 7:12 — “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do to them. This, in fact, is what the Law and the Prophets mean. Here Jesus invites us to think about how we would like to be treated. In your case, how would you prefer a neighbor to tell you that some noise you were making was bothering him?

Householder: Privately, of course. Not by putting my name in the group so that everyone can comment. Although, now that I think about it, that was almost what I did to the neighbor upstairs.

Publisher: And that difference you just pointed out can help you: speak to him directly, without embarrassing him in front of everyone.

Householder: Yes, but speaking politely doesn’t guarantee that he’ll listen to me. Some people only react when you get serious.

Publisher: It’s true that it doesn’t guarantee his response. Nor does it mean giving up on asking for respect. You can clearly explain what you need, but do it in the way you would appreciate receiving a complaint.

Householder: I could tell him which days I work nights. Maybe he doesn’t even know. That would be better than writing angrily when I can’t sleep anymore.

Publisher: That way you would give him specific information, without assuming that he makes noise to annoy you. Would you like to keep the tract and look at it when you’re finished?

Householder: Leave it with me. I can’t promise to read it today; I have to finish this first.

Publisher: Of course. And regarding your neighbor, is there anything that you find difficult to talk to him about?

Householder: Yes, starting after the message I sent. I feel a little embarrassed. Besides, if I apologize, he might think I’m admitting that I had no reason to complain.

Publisher: You can distinguish between the two things: apologize for how you said it and maintain your request. That way you acknowledge what you could have done better without minimizing the importance of your rest. How would you feel if he did something similar?

Householder: I would listen to him more openly. I could say, “I’m sorry about the group message. I was exhausted, but I should have spoken to you first. Can we find a way for me to get some rest?” That seems easier than showing up and making demands. I’ll think about it while I finish the piece of furniture; I still have quite a while to go.

Publisher: Of course, whenever it suits you. I’ll let you get back to the furniture. I hope it turns out well.

Following Up

Publisher: Hi, Andrés. Is the printer working? I need to make a copy, but the screen on that one is giving me an error.

Householder: This one is. It just takes a little while to start. I’m almost done; I’ve printed several résumés to take to some businesses this afternoon.

Publisher: Last time you told me about losing your job. Have you found any opening that suits you, or are you just leaving your résumé wherever you can for now?

Householder: A little of both. I had an interview yesterday, but I don’t know. They said they would call. The worst part is going home and waiting by the phone all afternoon.

Publisher: That wait must feel long, especially after preparing for the interview. Did they give you a time frame for responding?

Householder: By Friday. But I’m already thinking that if it doesn’t work out, next month will be difficult. My wife works, but one salary isn’t enough for everything.

Publisher: Of course, you’re not waiting for just any phone call. There are expenses to take care of. I can’t solve that for you, but in a Bible course we can consider advice on how to deal with worries without letting them take up the whole day.

Householder: A Bible course? It would be hard for me to concentrate right now. And honestly, when someone tells me not to worry, I feel even worse. It sounds as if he doesn’t understand what’s happening.

Publisher: You’re right; saying that without listening to you doesn’t help. I didn’t mean to give you that impression either. Jesus said some words that acknowledge that each day has problems. May I read them to you?

Householder: All right, read them. I have a few minutes before I leave. But I’m interested in knowing how to put that into practice when the bills keep coming.

Publisher: Exactly. Let’s see whether this advice can help you without minimizing the bills. Listen to what Jesus says at Matthew 6:34.

Publisher: Matthew 6:34 — So never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Each day has enough of its own troubles. Jesus isn’t saying that your problems don’t matter. He recognizes that they exist. The advice is not to add to today’s problems all the anxiety about what might happen tomorrow.

Householder: But I have to think about next month. If I wait until the bill arrives to do the math, it will be too late. I can’t live as if there were no tomorrow.

Publisher: Of course. Doing the math and looking for work are necessary. Preparing is one thing; suffering now over every possible outcome is another. Today you prepared the résumés; that is within your control.

Householder: And handing them out. What I can’t do is force anyone to hire me. Although knowing that doesn’t stop me from checking the phone every five minutes.

Publisher: No, that anxiety doesn’t disappear all at once. But this advice can help you focus on what you can do today instead of assuming that the interview went badly.

Householder: I do that. Since they don’t call right away, I assume they chose someone else. Then I start imagining that none of the other applications will work out either.

Publisher: And Friday hasn’t arrived yet. What would you think about organizing what you need to do this afternoon first and waiting until they respond before deciding what to do about that position?

Householder: I could deliver these copies and then sit down with my wife to review this week’s expenses. That would be more useful than spending another afternoon looking at my phone.

Publisher: That is a concrete way to apply what we read. It doesn’t guarantee a job, but it can help you face the day. In a Bible course we do something similar: We read, discuss questions, and see how to apply what we learn.

Householder: I understand it better that way. I don’t want to commit to a course right now, but we could talk another time. I’m worried about bringing this bad mood home.

Publisher: We can look for Bible-based information about that and discuss it, without deciding anything else right now. Would you prefer that I write to you next week and we can see when it works for you?

Householder: Yes, next week would be better. I’m going to deliver these résumés before they close. And the printer is free now; remember to select black and white.

Publisher: And, to look for something useful to you, regarding the bad mood: Are you more concerned about how to talk about what is happening to you, or about how you react when people ask?

Householder: How I react. My wife asks me whether there is any news, and I answer curtly. I know she cares about me, but I feel that I have to give her good news.

Publisher: I understand. Her question reminds you of something painful, even though she wants to support you. Perhaps you could explain that to her when you are both calm: You appreciate her concern, but it is difficult for you to talk about waiting. We can look for Bible-based advice that can help you express yourself without hurting her.

Householder: That would help me. I want to be able to tell her how I feel without making it seem as if I’m angry with her.

Publisher: Thanks for letting me know. I’ll write to you, then, and we can continue talking when you can. I hope things go well this afternoon, Andrés.

Talk

When someone prays for peace, he expresses a desire that we can understand. No one wants families to suffer because of war. But in addition to what we ask for, it matters how we address God. Is it proper to pray before an image? Does an image help us draw close to him? The Bible enables us to answer clearly and respectfully.

Let us observe the photograph accompanying the article. It shows Pope Francis bowing before an image of Mary. The article explains that during that ceremony, held on March 25, 2022, he prayed for peace. The photograph helps us identify the issue: using an image in an act of worship.

We do not need to dwell on the details of the ceremony or judge the feelings of those who took part. The image raises a question that goes beyond one person or one occasion: What does God think of this practice? To know, we must turn to what he has expressed, not merely to what seems appropriate to us.

When giving his commandments to Israel, Jehovah precisely explained what place images should have in worship. Let us note both the conduct he prohibited and the reason he gave. Let us read Exodus, chapter 20, verses 4 and 5.

Exodus 20:4-5 — “You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. You must not bow down to them nor be enticed to serve them, for I, Jehovah your God, am a God who requires exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation of those who hate me,

The main reason is clear: Jehovah requires exclusive devotion. The commandment does not merely speak about making an object. It also prohibits bowing down to those images and serving them. Therefore, when examining a religious practice, it is not enough to ask what an image represents; we must consider what is done before it.

Someone might think that the image simply helps him concentrate and that his intention is to honor God. We can listen to that explanation without mocking him or doubting his sincerity. Nevertheless, the question remains the same: Has Jehovah indicated that he wants to receive our worship in that way?

Consider a simple example. If we want to please someone, we try to take that person’s wishes into account. Our good intention does not replace listening to him. Similarly, to honor Jehovah, what matters most is not that a custom is meaningful to us, but that it respects what he asks.

Moreover, Jehovah did not leave this matter limited to a single commandment. Through the prophet Isaiah, he explained his position again. His words help us understand why we should not direct to an image the honor that belongs to him. Let us listen to what Isaiah 42:8 says.

Isaiah 42:8 — I am Jehovah. That is my name; I give my glory to no one else, Nor my praise to graven images.

Jehovah identifies himself by his name and makes clear that he does not share with images the praise that belongs to him. So this is not a matter of artistic tastes or personal preferences. Something much more important is at stake: recognizing who has the right to receive our worship.

Let us return for a moment to the photograph. What matters is not remembering the appearance of the statue or the details of the place. It is remembering the Bible standard that enables us to evaluate what we see. One thing is to use a photograph to explain an idea, as we are doing, and another is to bow before an image in prayer.

The visual aid directs our attention to a practice; the Bible tells us how Jehovah views it. That distinction prevents the photograph from becoming the focus of the discourse. The idea we want to retain is this: Our devotion must be directed to Jehovah, without giving images a place that he has not granted them.

Now, did that standard remain in effect for Christians? The article also takes us to the Christian Greek Scriptures. There we find a brief and direct instruction from the apostle Paul. To see what attitude Christians were to adopt toward idolatry, let us read 1 Corinthians 10:14.

1 Corinthians 10:14 — Therefore, my beloved ones, flee from idolatry.

Paul does not present idolatry as a personal option that each Christian may accept or reject. He tells them to flee from it. And he does so lovingly. His way of expressing himself reminds us that explaining a clear standard does not require speaking harshly or treating someone who thinks differently with contempt.

If someone has used images when praying, we can help him examine these passages calmly. We do not need to win an argument. We want him to understand what Jehovah asks and why. Firmness in our beliefs can be accompanied by patience, respect, and a willingness to listen to his questions.

Of course, the advice should also influence our own decisions. It is not merely a matter of recognizing what other people do. Each of us needs to protect his worship of Jehovah. The apostle John gave a loving warning that helps us maintain that vigilance. Let us read 1 John 5:21.

1 John 5:21 — Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

This warning encourages us to take the matter seriously. We can ask ourselves whether our religious practices reflect what we have read. If we discover that one of them does not agree with Jehovah’s will, our desire to please him will give us good reason to make the necessary changes.

So, what does the Bible say about venerating images? Jehovah does not approve of our using them in worship. He deserves exclusive devotion, and Christians must keep away from idolatry. Let us show our respect for him by worshipping him as he wishes, and let us explain this truth to others clearly and lovingly.

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