10. What did you learn from Elie’s experience?

10 Be convinced that Jehovah’s standards are best. We can benefit from everything that Jehovah asks us to do. Those who live by his standards gain self-respect, a purpose in life, and genuine happiness. (Ps. 19:7-11) In contrast, those who ignore Jehovah’s standards suffer the consequences that come from practicing the works of the flesh. Note what a man named Elie says about rejecting God’s standards. He was raised by parents who love Jehovah. But while in his teens, Elie chose bad associates. He was drawn into a lifestyle that included drug abuse, immorality, and theft. Elie says that he found himself becoming increasingly angry and violent. “Basically, I did everything that I had been taught not to do as a Christian,” he admits. However, Elie did not forget what he had learned in his youth. Eventually, he began studying the Bible again. He worked hard to get rid of his bad habits and got baptized in 2000. How has living by Jehovah’s standards benefited him? Elie says: “I now have peace of mind and a clean conscience.” * As this experience shows, those who reject Jehovah’s standards hurt themselves. Even then, Jehovah is willing to help them to change.