9. (a) What are some qualities that Jehovah values? (b) Why do you think that such qualities are precious to him?

⁹ Second, the Bible teaches us what Jehovah values in us.

King David told his son Solomon: “All hearts Jehovah is searching, and every inclination of the thoughts he is discerning.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

Jehovah, who searches all hearts, must have seen that this person had a sincere love for righteousness.

We read: “Yet he [Jehovah] who searches the hearts knows what the meaning of the spirit is, because it is pleading in accord with God for holy ones.”

¹¹ Christ Jesus, to whom judgment is committed, also looks where Jehovah looks: “I am he who searches the kidneys [“deepest emotions,” Ref.

Ever since the birth of the Christian congregation on the festival day of Pentecost of 33 C.E., when this congregation began to drink the “one spirit” (the outpoured spirit of God), we have been under more than Jehovah’s scrutiny. (1 Pet. 4:17)

Among the messages sent to seven designated congregations in Asia Minor, the glorified Jesus Christ made this warning statement: “All the congregations will know that I am he who searches the kidneys and hearts, and I will give to you individually according to your deeds.”​—Rev. 2:23.

While humans are unable to determine another’s deepest emotions and inmost feelings, these cannot be hidden either from the great Tester and Refiner, Jehovah God, or from his Son.

That is why we read: “I, Jehovah, am searching the heart, examining the kidneys, even to give to each one according to his ways, according to the fruitage of his dealings.” (Jer. 17:10)

¹¹ But we must put forth the effort to get these benefits, to use them diligently in building and safeguarding our hearts.

King Jehoshaphat was commended by Jehovah for ‘preparing his heart to search for the true God.’ (2 Chron. 19:3)

We must remember that God’s spirit of counsel and of wisdom and knowledge is upon the Judge and King, Jesus Christ, that he is backed up by the Supreme Sovereign of the universe, the Examiner of hearts: “All hearts Jehovah is searching, and every inclination of the thoughts he is discerning.”

Though Armageddon is to come upon this generation, some, because of age or illness, may die before that time; yet they may be hid by dying in God’s favor: “Precious in the eyes of Jehovah is the death of his loyal ones.” (Ps. 116:15)

And for all those of this generation who are alive when the great fear-inspiring day of Jehovah breaks out, there is every probability of being concealed by God if they have earnestly followed the requirements for survival that Zephaniah made so clear.

21. Why is it proper for one who is contemplating baptism to scrutinize himself, and for what should he then look?

²¹ Now, as to the appropriateness of getting baptized, it must be remembered that Jehovah searches the hearts and tries the minds of those he accepts for baptism.

3. How can we lay up treasure in heaven, and will death rob us of it?

³ We must do more than hear the word of Jehovah.

Jehovah “judges impartially according to each one’s work,” and uses Christ to do this, who shows his qualifications when he says: “I am he who searches the inmost thoughts and hearts, and I will give to you individually according to your deeds.”

Being disfellowshiped by the congregation is the greatest punishment that can come upon such a person at the hands of men, for when mature brothers act according to the advice of the Scriptures they are in fact acting for Jehovah and the judgment is from his Word.

Or if the wronged brother chooses to drop the matter it can be left in the hands of Jehovah, who searches the hearts of all men and knows their motives and who rewards those who do right with life.—Rom. 12:17-19; 1 Cor. 5:11-13; Heb. 10:26-31.

15. (a) Do liars deceive Jehovah? (b) On what basis will Jehovah reward creatures, and what does this mean for the liars?

¹⁵ Jehovah is not fooled.

Jehovah knows exactly what the desire of the heart of each and every individual is, and it is on the basis of this that men are judged.