• How Can We Be Clean in God’s Eyes?
    Enjoy Life Forever!—An Interactive Bible Course

    • 4. Conquer bad habits

      A person throwing cigarettes into a trash can.

      Jehovah can help us to conquer any bad habit

      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, and then 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.a Play the VIDEO.

      VIDEO: Exercising Self-Control (2:47)

      Read Philippians 4:13, and then 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?

      5. Fight against unclean thoughts and practices

      Read Colossians 3:5, and then 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.

      VIDEO: Take Action to Remain Clean (1:51)

      Jesus used an illustration to show that we must act decisively to stay morally clean. Read Matthew 5:29, 30, and then 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?b

      If you are fighting to overcome unclean thoughts, Jehovah values your efforts. Read Psalm 103:13, 14, and then discuss this question:

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

      A relapse does not mean defeat!

      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.

      A runner in a race getting up after a fall.