Why Does God Allow Evil And suffering?

1. How did evil begin? Evil began on earth when Satan told the first lie. Satan was originally a perfect angel, but “he did not stand fast in the truth.” (John 8:44) He developed a desire for worship that rightly belongs only to God. Satan lied to the first woman, Eve, and persuaded her to obey him instead of God. Adam joined Eve in disobeying God. Adam’s decision led to suffering and death.—Read Genesis 3:1-6, 19. When Satan suggested that Eve disobey God, he was starting a rebellion against God’s sovereignty, or position as Most High. The majority of mankind have joined Satan in rejecting God as their Ruler. Thus, Satan has become “the ruler of the world.”—Read John 14:30; 1 John 5:19. 2. Was God’s creation defective? All of God’s works are perfect. The humans and angels whom God created were capable of obeying God perfectly. (Deuteronomy 32:4, 5) God created us with the freedom to choose between doing good and doing evil. That freedom gives us a way to express love for God.—Read James 1:13-15; 1 John 5:3. 3. Why has God allowed suffering until now? For a limited time, Jehovah has allowed rebellion against his sovereignty. Why? To show that no effort to rule without him benefits people. (Ecclesiastes 7:29; 8:9) After 6,000 years of human history, the evidence is clear. Human rulers have failed to eliminate war, crime, injustice, or disease.—Read Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 9:17. In contrast to human rulership, God’s rule benefits those who accept it. (Isaiah 48:17, 18) Soon, Jehovah will bring all human government to an end. Only people who choose to be ruled by God will inhabit the earth.—Isaiah 11:9; Read Daniel 2:44. People studying the Bible Our choices reveal whether we want God as our Ruler 4. What does God’s patience allow us to do? Satan claimed that no one would serve Jehovah out of unselfish love. Would you like to disprove that lie? You can! God’s patience allows all of us to show whether we favor rule by God or rule by man. We indicate our choice by the way we live.—Read Job 1:8-12; Proverbs 27:11. 5. How can we choose God as our Ruler? We can choose God as our Ruler by seeking out and practicing true worship based on God’s Word, the Bible. (John 4:23) We can reject Satan as our ruler by keeping out of politics and war, as Jesus did.—Read John 17:14. Satan uses his power to promote immoral, harmful practices. When we reject such practices, some friends and relatives may ridicule or oppose us. (1 Peter 4:3, 4) So we face a choice. Will we associate with people who love God? Will we obey his wise and loving laws? If we do, we prove that Satan lied when he claimed that under pressure no one would do as God says.—Read 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; 15:33. God’s love for mankind guarantees that evil and suffering will end. Those who demonstrate that they believe this will enjoy life on earth forever.—Read John 3:16.

Porque Deus Permite O Sofrimento?

1. Como surgiu a maldade? A maldade começou na Terra quando Satanás contou a primeira mentira. No princípio, ele era um anjo perfeito, mas “não permaneceu firme na verdade”. (João 8:44) Ele desenvolveu o desejo de ter a adoração que de direito pertence só a Deus. Satanás mentiu para a primeira mulher, Eva, e a convenceu a obedecer a ele em vez de obedecer a Deus. Adão se juntou a Eva em desobedecer a Deus. A decisão de Adão resultou em sofrimento e morte. — Leia Gênesis 3:1-6, 19. Quando Satanás induziu Eva a desobedecer a Deus, ele estava começando uma rebelião contra a soberania de Deus, ou seja, sua posição como o Altíssimo. Assim como Satanás, a maior parte da humanidade rejeitou a Deus como Governante. Dessa forma, Satanás se tornou “o governante do mundo”. — Leia João 14:30; 1 João 5:19. 2. Será que a criação de Deus tinha algum defeito? Todas as obras de Deus são perfeitas. Os humanos e os anjos que Deus criou eram capazes de obedecê-lo perfeitamente. (Deuteronômio 32:4, 5) Ele nos criou com liberdade para escolher entre fazer o bem ou o mal. Essa liberdade permite que mostremos amor a Deus. — Leia Tiago 1:13-15; 1 João 5:3. 3. Por que Deus tem permitido o sofrimento? Por um tempo, Jeová tem permitido essa rebelião contra sua soberania. Por quê? Para mostrar que nenhuma tentativa de governar sem ele beneficia as pessoas. (Eclesiastes 7:29; 8:9) Após 6 mil anos de história humana, isso ficou provado. Os governos não conseguiram eliminar a guerra, o crime, a injustiça ou a doença. — Leia Jeremias 10:23; Romanos 9:17. Em contraste com os governos humanos, o governo de Deus beneficia aqueles que o aceitam. (Isaías 48:17, 18) Em breve, Jeová acabará com todos os governos. Só as pessoas que escolhem ser governadas por ele habitarão a Terra. — Isaías 11:9; leia Daniel 2:44. Pessoas estudando a Bíblia Nossas escolhas revelam se queremos Deus como nosso Governante 4. A paciência de Deus tem nos dado que oportunidade? Satanás afirmou que ninguém serviria a Jeová por amor. Você gostaria de provar o contrário? Você pode! A paciência de Deus nos dá a oportunidade de mostrar se somos a favor do governo de Deus ou dos homens. Nossa escolha fica evidente pelo nosso modo de vida. — Leia Jó 1:8-12; Provérbios 27:11. 5. De que modo podemos escolher a Deus como nosso Governante? Podemos escolher a Deus como nosso Governante por procurar saber qual é a verdadeira adoração baseada em sua Palavra, a Bíblia, e viver de acordo com ela. (João 4:23) Podemos rejeitar a Satanás como governante por não nos envolvermos na política ou nas guerras, assim como Jesus não se envolveu. — Leia João 17:14. Satanás usa seu poder para promover práticas imorais e prejudiciais. Quando rejeitamos essas práticas, alguns amigos ou parentes talvez zombem de nós ou se oponham. (1 Pedro 4:3, 4) Assim, temos de fazer uma escolha. Vamos andar com pessoas que amam a Deus? Obedeceremos às Suas leis sábias e amorosas? Se fizermos isso, provaremos que Satanás mentiu quando disse que sob pressão ninguém faria a vontade de Deus. — Leia 1 Coríntios 6:9, 10; 15:33. O amor de Deus pelos humanos é garantia de que a maldade e o sofrimento acabarão. Os que provarem que creem nisso viverão para sempre na Terra. — Leia João 3:16.

What if I’m Being Bullied?

Also, read tips from your peers and a teacher’s comments about bullying, and take our bullying quiz. Bullying is no trivial matter. A British study found that more than 40 percent of the youth suicides reported in the national media appeared to involve bullying as a contributing factor. What is bullying? Bullying includes more than physical assaults. It can also involve the following. Verbal attacks. “Girls can be brutal with their words,” says 20-year-old Celine. “I’ll never forget the names they called me or the things they said. They made me feel worthless, unwanted, and good-for-nothing. I’d rather have been given a black eye.” Social isolation. “My schoolmates started to avoid me,” says 18-year-old Haley. “They would make it seem that there was no room at the lunch table so I couldn’t sit with them. For the whole year, I cried and ate alone.” Cyberbullying. “With just a few keystrokes on a computer,” says 14-year-old Daniel, “you can ruin someone’s reputation—or even his life. It sounds like an overstatement, but it can happen!” Cyberbullying also includes sending harmful photos or text messages using a cell phone. Why do people bully others? These are some common reasons. They themselves have been bullied. “I was so sick and tired of being mistreated by my peers that I began to bully others just to fit in,” admits a young man named Antonio. “Later I looked back and realized how wrong it was to do that!” They have poor role models. “Many times young bullies treat other people . . . the way they see their parents, older brothers and sisters, or other family members treat others,” writes Jay McGraw in his book Life Strategies for Dealing With Bullies. They act as if they are superior—and yet they’re insecure. “Kids who bully have an air of superiority that is often a mask to cover up deep hurt and a feeling of inadequacy,” notes Barbara Coloroso in her book The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander. Who is most likely to be a target? Loners. Some young people who lack social skills isolate themselves from others and become easy marks for bullies. Youths who are perceived as being different. Some youths are targeted by bullies because of their appearance, race, or religion or even because they have a disability—anything the bully can pick on. Youths who lack self-confidence. Bullies can detect those who think negatively of themselves. These are often the easiest targets, since they’re not likely to fight back. What can you do if you’re bullied? Don’t react. “Bullies want to know that they’ve succeeded in making you feel bad about yourself,” says a young woman named Kylie. “If you don’t react, they lose interest.” The Bible says: “He that is wise keeps it calm to the last.”—Proverbs 29:11. Don’t retaliate. Revenge will add to the problem, not solve it. The Bible says: “Return evil for evil to no one.”—Romans 12:17; Proverbs 24:19. Don’t walk into trouble. To the extent possible, avoid people and situations where bullying may occur.—Proverbs 22:3. Try an unexpected response. The Bible says: “An answer, when mild, turns away rage.”—Proverbs 15:1. Use humor. For example, if a bully asserts that you’re overweight, you could simply shrug your shoulders and say, “I guess I could lose a few pounds!” Walk away. “Silence shows that you are mature and that you are stronger than the person harassing you,” says 19-year-old Nora. “It demonstrates self-control—something the bully doesn’t have.” Work on your self-confidence. “Bullies notice when you aren’t relaxed,” says a girl named Rita, “and they might use that to destroy whatever self-confidence you have.” Tell someone. According to one survey, more than half of all victims who are bullied online don’t report what’s going on, possibly because of shame (especially for boys) or fear of retaliation. But remember, bullies thrive on secrecy. Speaking up can be the first step to ending the nightmare. Tips from your peers “Avoid places or situations that will make you an easy target for a bully. Remember, too, that bullies are going through their own issues. When you know that, it takes some of the sting out of their words.”—Antonio. “Be confident in yourself. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe. Many bullies back off when they see that you aren’t giving them any power over you and that you aren’t afraid.”—Jessica. A teacher’s comments “Bullying is a serious problem. Where I taught school, fights broke out right inside the classroom—even among third graders! Some kids thrive on bullying because it makes them feel that they’re popular and in control. “Often, victims hesitate to report bullying because they’re scared that the bully will retaliate or that their classmates will view them as a snitch. They may also be skeptical about whether anything will be done about the bullying. Still, I would urge anyone who is being bullied to speak up. It’s the right thing to do, and it can prevent someone else from being bullied.”—Jenilee, a former schoolteacher in the United States. Bullying quiz True or False Bullying has been around for thousands of years. Bullying is just harmless teasing. It’s not that serious. The best way to stop a bully is to fight back. If you’re being bullied, it’s your fault. Some people who are bullied become bullies. If you witness bullying, it’s best to ignore it. Beneath the boastful talk, bullies are often insecure. Bullies can change. ANSWERS True. For example, the Bible tells of the Nephilim—a group whose name means “Those Who Cause Others to Fall Down.”—Genesis 6:4. False. Bullying can be a life-and-death issue. Sadly, some who have been relentlessly bullied commit suicide. False. Bullies are often physically stronger than their victims, making attempts at retaliation futile. False. No one deserves to be bullied! The bully is fully responsible for his or her actions. True. Sadly, some take their own frustration out on others by treating them the way that they have been treated. False. There’s no such thing as an innocent bystander. If you see bullying and don’t say anything, you may become part of the problem rather than part of the solution. True. Although some bullies have a big ego, many are insecure and put others down to make themselves feel better. True. With intervention and help, bullies can change their thinking—and their behavior.—Ephesians 4:23, 24.

The Truth About Halloween

Is Halloween celebrated where you live? In the United States and Canada, Halloween is widely known and celebrated every year on October 31. Halloween customs, though, can be found in many other parts of the globe. In some places holidays are celebrated that, although named differently, share similar themes: contact with the spirit world involving the spirits of the dead, fairies, witches, and even the devil and demon angels.—See the box “Celebrations Like Halloween Worldwide.” PERSONALLY, you may not believe in supernatural spirits. You might simply view taking part in Halloween and similar celebrations as a way to have fun and teach your children to explore their imagination. Many people, though, regard these celebrations as harmful for the following reasons: “Halloween,” explains the Encyclopedia of American Folklore, “is integrally related to the prospect of contact with spiritual forces, many of which threaten or frighten.” (See the box “Halloween Time Line.”) Likewise, many celebrations like Halloween have pagan origins and are deeply rooted in ancestor worship. Even today, people around the world use these days to make contact with supposed spirits of the dead. Although Halloween has been viewed mainly as an American holiday, each year people in more and more countries have been adopting it. Many newcomers to the celebration, however, are unaware of the pagan origins of Halloween symbols, decorations, and customs, most of which are related to supernatural beings and occult forces.—See the box “Where Did It Come From?” Thousands of Wiccans, who follow ancient Celtic rituals, still call Halloween by the ancient name Samhain and consider it to be the most sacred night of the year. “Christians ‘don’t realize it, but they’re celebrating our holiday with us. . . . We like it,’” stated the newspaper USA Today when quoting a professed witch. Celebrations like Halloween are in conflict with Bible teachings. The Bible warns: “There must never be anyone among you who . . . practices divination, who is soothsayer, augur or sorcerer, who uses charms, consults ghosts or spirits, or calls up the dead.”—Deuteronomy 18:10, 11, The Jerusalem Bible; see also Leviticus 19:31; Galatians 5:19-21. In view of the foregoing, it is wise for you to know about the dark origins of Halloween and similar celebrations. Having this fuller understanding may move you to join many others who do not participate in these holidays. “Christians ‘don’t realize it, but they’re celebrating our holiday with us. . . . We like it.’”—The newspaper USA Today, quoting a professed witch CELEBRATIONS LIKE HALLOWEEN WORLDWIDE Halloween has generally been regarded as an American holiday. Yet this celebration has become popular in many parts of the world. Additionally, there are other festivities that are like Halloween in that they celebrate the existence and activity of spirit creatures. Shown here are some of the popular holidays like Halloween around the globe. North America - Day of the Dead South America - Kawsasqanchis Europe - Day of the Dead and variations of Halloween Africa - Dance of the Hooded Egunguns Asia - Bon Festival WHERE DID IT COME FROM? The Origin of Some Halloween Customs and Symbols VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, WITCHES, ZOMBIES: These creatures have long been associated with the evil spirit world. CANDY: The ancient Celts tried to appease wicked spirits with sweets. The church later encouraged celebrants to go from house to house on All Hallows’ Eve, asking for food in return for a prayer for the dead. This custom eventually became Halloween’s trick or treat. COSTUMES: The Celts wore frightening masks so that evil spirits would mistakenly think the wearers were spirits and would leave them alone. The church gradually amalgamated pagan customs with the feasts of All Souls and All Saints. Later, celebrants went from house to house wearing costumes of saints, angels, and devils. PUMPKINS: Carved, candlelit turnips were displayed to repel evil spirits. To some, the candle in the turnip represented a soul trapped in purgatory. Later, carved pumpkins were more commonly used. HALLOWEEN TIME LINE FIFTH CENTURY B.C.E. The Celts observe the festival of Samhain at the end of October, when they believe ghosts and demons roam the earth more so than at other times. FIRST CENTURY C.E. The Romans conquer the Celts and adopt the spiritistic rituals of Samhain. SEVENTH CENTURY C.E. Pope Boniface IV is said to have established the annual celebration of All Saints’ Day to honor martyrs. * ELEVENTH CENTURY C.E. The second of November is designated as All Souls’ Day to commemorate the dead. Observances surrounding All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are collectively called Hallowtide. EIGHTEENTH CENTURY C.E. The name of the holiday, Hallowe’en (Hallow Evening) appears in print as Halloween. NINETEENTH CENTURY C.E. Thousands of people who move from Ireland to the United States bring with them Halloween customs that, in time, combined with similar customs of emigrants from Britain and Germany, as well as Africa and other parts of the world. TWENTIETH CENTURY C.E. Halloween becomes a popular nationwide holiday in the United States. TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY C.E. Commercial interest in Halloween grows into a worldwide multibillion-dollar industry.

A Kidney Specialist Explains Her Faith

Dr. Céline Granolleras is a medical doctor in France who specializes in kidney disease. More than 20 years after becoming a doctor, she came to the conclusion that there is a Creator who cares for us. Awake! asked her about her work and her faith. Tell us about your childhood. My family moved to France from Spain when I was nine. My parents were Catholic, but I stopped believing in God when I was 16. For me, religion had no bearing on reality. If anyone asked me how life began if there is no God, I replied, “For now, scientists cannot explain it, but one day they will.” What made you study kidney disease? I studied at a medical school in Montpellier, France. A professor there spoke to me about working in nephrology, a branch of medicine involving the kidneys. The work combined research with the care of patients. That was just what I wanted. In 1990, I began taking part in research on the clinical use of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) to control the production of red blood cells in our bones. At that time, it was considered a relatively new field of research. What made you start thinking about God? Back in 1979, my husband, Floréal, started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. But I was not interested. As a child, I had had enough of religion. Nevertheless, my husband and children became Witnesses, and soon nearly all our friends were Witnesses. One of them, Patricia, suggested that I try praying. “If there is nobody in heaven, you don’t risk anything,” she said. “But if there is, you will see what happens.” Years later, I started to wonder about the meaning of life, and I remembered Patricia’s words. I began to pray for understanding. What made you wonder about the meaning of life? The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York made me wonder why there is so much evil in society. I thought: ‘Religious extremism endangers our future. Yet here I am surrounded by Jehovah’s Witnesses who are peaceful. They are not extremists. They follow the Bible. Perhaps I should look into what it says.’ So I began reading the Bible for myself. As a doctor, did you find it difficult to believe in a Creator? No. I had a deep respect for our body’s sophisticated design. For example, the way our kidneys control the amount of red cells in our blood is awe-inspiring. Why do you say that? It struck me that only God could design such an elegant system As you may know, red blood cells transport oxygen. If you lose a lot of blood or if you go to a high altitude, your body will lack oxygen. Our kidneys have oxygen sensors. When they detect an oxygen shortage in the blood, they activate the production of EPO, and the level of EPO in the blood may rise as much as a thousandfold. The EPO stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red cells, which in turn transport more oxygen. It’s wonderful! Strangely, I studied this process for ten years before it struck me that only God could design such an elegant system. What was your impression of the Bible? I had read lots of history books and famous novels, but I immediately recognized that the Bible was different. Its advice is so practical that it must come from a source higher than man. Jesus’ character fascinated me. I saw that he was a real person. He had feelings, and he had friends. Since I didn’t want to use the publications of Jehovah’s Witnesses, I did research in encyclopedias and other reference works when questions arose. What did you research? I researched history books . . . Finally, I concluded that this Bible prophecy had come true on time Among other things, I was intrigued by the way the Bible foretold the year of Jesus’ baptism. It shows exactly how much time would elapse between the 20th year of the reign of the Persian ruler Artaxerxes and the year Jesus would present himself as the Messiah. * I am accustomed to doing research—it is part of my job. So I researched history books to confirm the dates of Artaxerxes’ rule and the dates of Jesus’ ministry. Finally, I concluded that this Bible prophecy had come true on time and that it must have been inspired by God.

How to Forgive

THE CHALLENGE When you and your spouse argue, you often bring up the past, rehashing a list of old grievances that should have been settled long ago. The problem? One or both of you may not know how to forgive. You can learn. First, though, consider why a husband and wife may find it so difficult to forgive each other. WHY IT HAPPENS Power. Some husbands and wives withhold forgiveness to maintain a sort of power over their spouse. Then, when a conflict arises, they use a past event as a trump card to gain the upper hand. Resentment. The scars of a past offense can take a long time to heal. A spouse might say ‘I forgive you’ but still harbor resentment for what happened—perhaps craving to get even. Disappointment. Some people enter marriage fully believing that life will be like a fairy-tale romance. So when a disagreement arises, they dig in their heels, wondering just how their “perfect match” could possibly see things from a different point of view. Unrealistic expectations can make a person more prone to find fault and less inclined to forgive. Misunderstanding. Many spouses withhold forgiveness because they misunderstand what extending it will mean. For example: If I forgive, I am minimizing the wrong. If I forgive, I have to forget what happened. If I forgive, I am inviting further mistreatment. Really, forgiving does not imply any of the foregoing. Still, extending forgiveness can be difficult—especially in the close relationship between husband and wife. WHAT YOU CAN DO Understand what forgiveness involves. In the Bible, at times the word “forgive” means “let go.” So forgiveness does not always require that you forget what happened or minimize the wrong. Sometimes it means that you simply need to let go of a matter, for your own well-being and that of your marriage. Recognize the consequences of not forgiving. Some experts say that holding on to resentment can put you at greater risk for a wide range of physical and emotional problems, including depression and high blood pressure—not to mention the damage it does to your marriage. For good reason, the Bible says: “Become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another.”—Ephesians 4:32. Recognize the benefits of forgiving. A spirit of forgiveness allows you and your mate to give each other the benefit of the doubt rather than to “keep score” of wrongs. That, in turn, helps you to create an environment that keeps resentment in check and allows love to grow.—Bible principle: Colossians 3:13. Be realistic. It is easier to be forgiving when you accept your spouse for who he or she is, flaws and all. “When you focus on what you didn’t get, it’s too easy to forget all of what you did get,” says the book Fighting for Your Marriage. “Which list do you want to dwell on at this point in life?” Remember, no one is perfect—including you.—Bible principle: James 3:2. Be reasonable. The next time you are offended by something that your spouse said or did, ask yourself: ‘Is the situation really that important? Do I need to demand an apology, or can I just overlook what happened and move on?’—Bible principle: 1 Peter 4:8. If necessary, discuss the matter. Calmly explain what offended you and why it made you feel that way. Do not impute bad motives or make dogmatic statements, since these will only put your spouse on the defensive. Instead, simply relate how your spouse’s actions affected you.

Premarital Sex...

THE BIBLE’S VIEW Is premarital sex wrong? “For this is what God wills, . . . that you abstain from fornication.”—1 Thessalonians 4:3. WHAT PEOPLE SAY Some cultures tolerate sexual activity between consenting unmarried adult individuals. In some areas it is viewed as acceptable for unmarried adolescents to engage in some forms of sexual intimacy. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS The Bible uses the word “fornication” for some forms of sexual activity outside marriage. God expects his worshippers to “abstain from fornication.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) Fornication is listed as a serious sin, as are adultery, spiritism, drunkenness, idolatry, murder, and thievery.—1 Corinthians 6:9, 10; Revelation 21:8. WHY IT MATTERS For one thing, the Bible warns that “God will judge fornicators.” (Hebrews 13:4) More important, by obeying God’s laws about sexual morality, we prove our love for Jehovah God. (1 John 5:3) He in turn blesses those who observe his commandments.—Isaiah 48:18. Is it immoral for unmarried people to engage in any form of sexual intimacy? “Let fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned among you.”—Ephesians 5:3. WHAT PEOPLE SAY Many people believe that apart from sexual intercourse, there is nothing wrong with sexual intimacies between unmarried partners. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS When discussing immoral sexual practices, the Bible mentions not only fornication but also sexual “uncleanness” and “loose conduct.” (2 Corinthians 12:21) Clearly, there are various forms of sexual intimacy that are offensive to God when performed outside marriage, even when there is no intercourse. The overall message of the Bible regarding sex is that sexual intimacies are restricted to a man and a woman who are married to each other. The Bible also disapproves of “covetous sexual appetite.” (1 Thessalonians 4:5) What does that mean? Consider an example that could apply equally to a man or a woman: A woman might be determined not to have intercourse with her boyfriend. Still, she engages in other forms of sexual intimacy with him. By doing so, they are coveting or lusting after something that does not belong to them. Hence, they are guilty of “covetous sexual appetite.” Such sexual greed is condemned in the Bible.—Ephesians 5:3-5. How can you avoid sexual immorality? “Flee from fornication.”—1 Corinthians 6:18. WHY IT MATTERS According to the Bible, those who engage in premarital sex are in danger of losing their friendship with God.—Colossians 3:5, 6. WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS The Bible advises people to “flee from fornication.” (1 Corinthians 6:18) This means that a person needs to stay as far away as possible from anything that could lure him or her into sexual immorality. (Proverbs 22:3) For instance, in order to remain morally clean, it is vital for one to avoid close association with people who ignore God’s principles related to sex. The Bible warns: “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.”—Proverbs 13:20. Feeding the mind with immoral thoughts can also lead to sexual misconduct. (Romans 8:5, 6) Thus, it is wise to avoid music, videos, printed material, and anything else that improperly portrays sexual activity or that in any way promotes sexual conduct that offends God.—Psalm 101:3.