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The Bible’s answer

Yes, God helps those who sincerely ask for things that are in harmony with his will. Even if you haven’t prayed before, the Bible’s examples of those who prayed, “God, help me,” can encourage you. For example:

• “O Jehovah my God, help me; save me according to Your mercy.”—Psalm 109:26, A Literal Translation ofof the Bible.
• “I am needy and poor: O God, help me.”—Psalm 69:6, Douay Version.

Of course, the writer of those words had strong faith in God. Yet, God listens to all who come to him with the right attitude, such as those who are “broken at heart” or “crushed in spirit.”—Psalm 34:18.

You need not fear that God is so distant that he is not concerned with your problems. The Bible says: “Jehovah is high, and yet the humble one he sees; but the lofty one he knows only from a distance.” (Psalm 138:6) In fact, Jesus once told his disciples: “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30) God observes details about you that even you are not aware of. How much more, then, will he listen if you pray for his help with your anxieties!—1 Peter 5:7.

WHAT IS BABILON THHE GREAT?

 

 

The Bible’s answer

Babylon the Great, described in the book of Revelation, is the world’s collective body of false religions, which God rejects.  (Revelation 14:8; 17:5; 18:21) Although those religions differ in many respects, in one way or another they all lead people away from the worship of the true God, Jehovah.—Deuteronomy 4:35.

Keys to identifying Babylon the Great

1. Babylon the Great is a symbol. The Bible describes her as “a woman” and a “great prostitute,” having a name that is “a mystery: ‘Babylon the Great.’” (Revelation 17:1, 3, 5) The book of Revelation is presented “in signs,” so it is reasonable to conclude that Babylon the Great is a symbol, not a literal woman. (Revelation 1:1) In addition, she “sits on many waters,” which represent “peoples and crowds and nations and tongues.” (Revelation 17:1, 15) A literal woman could not do that.
2. Babylon the Great represents an international entity. She is called “the great city that has a kingdom over the kings of the earth.” (Revelation 17:18) Thus, she has international scope and influence.
3. Babylon the Great is a religious entity, not a political or commercial one. Ancient Babylon was a profoundly religious city, known for its use of spiritistic “spells” and “sorceries.” (Isaiah 47:1, 12, 13; Jeremiah 50:1, 2, 38) In fact, false religion in opposition to the true God, Jehovah, was practiced there. (Genesis 10:8, 9; 11:2-4, 8) The rulers of Babylon arrogantly exalted themselves above Jehovah and his worship. (Isaiah 14:4, 13, 14; Daniel 5:2-4, 23) Likewise, Babylon the Great is known for her “spiritistic practices.” That shows her to be a religious organization.—Revelation 18:23.
   Babylon the Great cannot be a political entity, because “the kings of the earth” mourn her destruction. (Revelation 17:1, 2; 18:9) Neither is she a commercial power, because the Bible distinguishes her from “the merchants of the earth.”—Revelation 18:11, 15.

4. 

   Stela of Babylonian King Nabonidus with symbols of the triad of gods Sin, Ishtar, and Shamash

   Babylon the Great fits the profile of false religion. Rather than teaching people how to draw closer to the true God, Jehovah, false religion actually leads them to worship other gods. The Bible calls this “spiritual prostitution.” (Leviticus 20:6; Exodus 34:15, 16) Beliefs such as the Trinity and the immortality of the soul and practices such as the use of images in worship date back to ancient Babylon and continue to permeate false religion. These religions also blend their worship with love for the world. The Bible refers to this form of unfaithfulness as spiritual adultery.—James 4:4.
   False religion’s wealth and showy display of it match the picture that the Bible paints of Babylon the Great, who is “clothed in purple and scarlet” and “adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls.” (Revelation 17:4) Babylon the Great is the source of “the disgusting things of the earth,” or the teachings and actions that actually dishonor God. (Revelation 17:5) The members of false religion are the “peoples and crowds and nations and tongues” who support Babylon the Great.—Revelation 17:15.

Babylon the Great is responsible for the deaths “of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (Revelation 18:24) Throughout history, false religion has not only fomented wars and fueled acts of terrorism but has also failed to teach people the truth about Jehovah, the God of love. (1 John 4:8) This failure has contributed to much bloodshed. For good reason, those who want to please God must “get out of her,” separating themselves from false religion.—Revelation 18:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17.

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How to Reject Pornography

WORKSHEET

How to Reject Pornography

Job said: “I have made a covenant [a contract or an agreement] with my eyes. So how could I show improper attention to a virgin?” \ Jo 31:1\ Evidently, Job decided in advance how he would respond to temptation. You can do the same with regard to pornography. The key is to be prepared to do so.

₁ KNOW WHAT YOU WILL DO

In what circumstances are you most likely to encounter Internet pornography?

List two things you can do to reduce the likelihood of your encountering pornography online.

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Some things to consider: time, location, settings on your computer, keywords that you enter in a search engine, people with whom you associate online.)
2 KNOW YOUR MORAL VALUES When confronted with temptation to commit adultery, Joseph firmly refused and said: “How could I commit this great badness?” \ Genesi 39:9\ The words “How could I” indicate that Joseph had strong moral values. You can cultivate strong values too. To help you do that, write your responses to the following. List three reasons why, in your opinion, pornography is bad.
	Some things to consider: how pornography affects the viewer, how it demeans those who are featured in it, how the porn industry preys on—and profits from—others’ addiction, how marriage and family life can be harmed.) REMEMBER THIS: The painted white lines on a highway are a guide, but they will not make you a good driver. Similarly, rules that restrict your access to pornography can guide you on the right path, but they will not make you an upright person. This is a good reason for you to adopt strong values of your own.

₃ WRITE DOWN YOUR ACTION PLAN

To reduce my chances of encountering online pornography, I will . . .

 

“Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless.”—Psalm 119:37.