Lesson 40

Imagine a loving mother getting her little boy ready for school. She makes sure that he has bathed and that his clothes are neat and clean. This keeps him healthy and shows others that his parents are taking good care of him. Similarly, our loving Father, Jehovah, wants us to be clean—both physically and morally. When we are clean, we benefit ourselves and bring honor to him.

Jehovah tells us: “You must be holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

Holiness is related to physical and moral cleanness. We can be physically clean by bathing regularly and by keeping our clothes, home, and vehicle neat and clean. We can also help clean our Kingdom Hall. By keeping physically clean, we bring honor to Jehovah.— 2 Corinthians 6:3, 4.

The Bible urges us to “cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

Thus, we strive to avoid anything that would damage our body or our mind. Our thoughts should please Jehovah, so we do our best to reject improper thoughts. (Psalm 104:34)

We also strive to use clean speech.

Read Colossians 3.8: But now you must put them all away from you: wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech, and obscene talk out of your mouth.

What else could make us physically or morally unclean? Some substances can contaminate our body. Therefore, we avoid such things as tobacco, the chewing of betel nut or coca leaves, and the recreational use of drugs. By avoiding these, we are healthier and we show respect for the gift of life. We also strive to be morally clean by fighting against the unclean practices of masturbation and of viewing pornography. (Psalm 119:37; Ephesians 5:5)

It can be difficult to overcome these habits, but Jehovah can help us to do so.

Read Isaiah 41.13: For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, The One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’

Consider how being physically clean honors Jehovah, and see how to overcome unclean practices.

We can perceive Jehovah’s view of cleanness by examining his commands to ancient Israel.

Read Exodus 19.10: Then Jehovah said to Moses: “Go to the people and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and they must wash their clothing.

Read Exodus 30.17-19: Jehovah spoke further to Moses, saying: “Make a copper basin and its stand for washing; then place it between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water into it. Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and their feet there.

Discuss these questions:

What do these verses reveal about Jehovah’s view of physical cleanness?

What good habits will help you remain physically clean?

Being physically clean takes time and effort. But we can do so no matter where we live or what our financial circumstances are. Play the VIDEO, and then discuss the question that follows.

If you smoke or use drugs recreationally, you may know how difficult it is to conquer the habit. What can help? Consider how the habit affects you.

Read Matthew 22.37-39: He said to him: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’

Discuss how tobacco or the misuse of drugs affects...

a person’s friendship with Jehovah.

a person’s family and others around him.

Make a plan to conquer a bad habit.

[Footnote] “How to Quit Smoking,” listed in the Explore section of this lesson, explains practical steps that can be taken to overcome addictions. [End of footnote.]

Play the VIDEO.

Read Philippians 4.13: For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.

Discuss this question:

How can a good routine of prayer, Bible study, and meeting attendance give a person the power to conquer a bad habit?

Read Colossians 3.5: Deaden, therefore, your body members that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality, uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion, hurtful desire, and greediness, which is idolatry.

Discuss these questions:

How do we know that pornography, sexting, and masturbation are unclean in Jehovah’s eyes?

Do you think that it is reasonable for Jehovah to expect us to be morally clean? Why?

Find out how to fight against unclean thoughts. Play the VIDEO.

Jesus used an illustration to show that we must act decisively to stay morally clean.

Read Matthew 5.29, 30: If, now, your right eye is making you stumble, tear it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be pitched into Gehenna. Also, if your right hand is making you stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to land in Gehenna.

Discuss this question:

Although Jesus was not suggesting that we harm ourselves physically, he did indicate that we need to take action. What kind of decisive action can a person take to avoid unclean thoughts?

[Footnote] For help to overcome the habit of masturbation, see “How Can I Conquer the Habit of Masturbation?” in the book Questions Young People Ask—Answers That Work, Volume 1, chapter 25. [End of footnote.]

If you are fighting to overcome unclean thoughts, Jehovah values your efforts.

Read Psalm 103.13, 14: As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to those who fear him. For he well knows how we are formed, Remembering that we are dust.

Discuss this question:

If you are struggling with an unclean habit, how does this scripture encourage you to keep fighting?

It could be easy to think, ‘I failed, so I may as well give up.’ But think about this:Just because a runner stumbles and falls, it does not mean that he has lost the race, nor does he have to start the race over again. Similarly, a relapse does not mean that you have lost the fight against overcoming the bad habit. Nor does it erase all the progress you have already made. Relapses are normal—they are part of the road to recovery. Don’t give up! With Jehovah’s help, you can conquer the bad habit.

What scripture could you use to show the person that with Jehovah’s help he can stop a bad habit?

We please Jehovah by keeping our body, our mind, and our conduct clean.

Why is it so important to be clean?

How can you be physically clean?

How can you keep your thoughts and your conduct clean?

Lesson completed on:

Ask Jehovah to help you identify one aspect of your life where you could improve in being clean.

Other: Memorizing Bible scriptures is vital for blind individuals to defend the truth using the Bible, build faith, provide comfort during difficult times, and keep God’s principles firm in heart and mind.

From lesson 40, memorize Colossians 3:5: Deaden, therefore, your body members that are on the earth as respects sexual immorality, uncleanness, uncontrolled sexual passion, hurtful desire, and greediness, which is idolatry.

1. What simple things can you do to be physically clean even if your resources are limited?

Health and Hygiene—Handwashing (3:01) Open explore 1 in new page

2. Discover practical steps you can take to stop smoking.

“How to Quit Smoking” (Awake!, May 2010) Open explore 2 in new page

3. Examine the effects of pornography.

“Pornography—Harmless or Toxic?” (The Watchtower, August 1, 2013) Open explore 3 in new page

4. Find out how one man overcame his addiction to pornography.

“I Failed Many Times Before I Succeeded” (The Watchtower No. 4 2016) Open explore 4 in new page