If you are in a courtship, what will help you decide whether to get married or not? Get to know each other well. You likely learned some things about the other person before you began dating. But now you have the opportunity to get to know “the secret person of the heart.” This involves learning more about your prospective mate’s spirituality, personality, and thinking. Over time, you should be able to answer such questions as: ‘Will this person be a good marriage mate for me?’ (Prov. 31:26, 27, 30; Eph. 5:33; 1 Tim. 5:8) ‘Can we fulfill each other’s emotional needs? Can we live with each other’s shortcomings?’ (Rom. 3:23) As you get to know each other, remember: Compatibility is largely determined, not by how similar you are, but by how adaptable you are to each other’s differences. w24.05 27 ¶5

King David erred seriously. But when the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin, David humbly repented. (Ps. 51:3, 4, 17, superscription) King Hezekiah too sinned against Jehovah. (2 Chron. 32:25) But like David, Hezekiah humbly repented. (2 Chron. 32:26) In the final analysis, Jehovah viewed him as a faithful king who “kept doing what was right.” (2 Ki. 18:3) What do we learn? We need to repent of our sins and do all we can to avoid repeating them. What if we receive counsel from congregation elders, even on a seemingly minor matter? We should not feel rejected by Jehovah or by the elders. Even the good kings of Israel were not above receiving counsel and reproof. (Heb. 12:6) When we receive correction, we should (1) respond humbly, (2) make the necessary changes, and (3) move on with our wholehearted service to Jehovah. If we repent of our sins, Jehovah will forgive us.​—2 Cor. 7:9, 11. w24.07 21 ¶8; 22 ¶9, 11

A wrongdoer is removed from the congregation when he does not respond to repeated attempts by the elders to lead him to repentance. (2 Ki. 17:12-15) His actions show that he has chosen not to abide by Jehovah’s standards. (Deut. 30:19, 20) An announcement is made to inform the congregation that he is no longer one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The purpose of that announcement is not to humiliate the wrongdoer. Rather, it is made so that the congregation can follow the Scriptural admonition to “stop keeping company” with that person, “not even eating with” him. (1 Cor. 5:9-11) That direction is given for good reason. The apostle Paul wrote: “A little leaven ferments the whole batch of dough.” (1 Cor. 5:6) Unrepentant wrongdoers can weaken the determination of those who are trying to live by Jehovah’s righteous standards.​—Prov. 13:20; 1 Cor. 15:33. w24.08 27 ¶3-4