a Scriptural Consideration entry

It wasn’t just that David sinned. It was that he knew it, felt it, and begged Jehovah for help to change. “Stir within me a willingness to obey you,” he pleaded—because obedience didn’t always come naturally. (Ps. 51:12) For a man who loved Jehovah deeply, this was a striking admission.

And yet, how refreshing. Because if someone like David—a man after Jehovah’s own heart—had to pray for the desire to obey, what does that say about us? It says we’re not broken for struggling. We’re human.

The verse from James reminds us that godly wisdom produces an attitude of humility and readiness to yield. But yielding isn’t weakness. Obedience, especially in a rebellious world, takes strength. It means denying the cravings of the flesh, resisting Satan’s seductive whispers, and tuning out the world’s sneering disdain for submission. (2 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 2:2)

“The wisdom from above is . . . ready to obey.” —James 3:17

Even Jesus “learned obedience” through the things he suffered. (Heb. 5:8) So it’s not surprising that we sometimes wrestle with it too—whether it’s a personal counsel we didn’t want to hear, a direction from the elders that touches a sore spot, or an inner war between pride and peace.

So what about us? When Jehovah’s voice is clear—through his Word, his organization, or our conscience—do we want to obey? Or do we feel the tug to resist, justify, delay?

When we struggle, we can pray like David did. “Stir within me a willingness…” Because obedience from the heart is what Jehovah treasures most. (Rom. 6:17) It is the fruit of wisdom from above.

“The wisdom from above is . . . ready to obey.” So if we’re struggling, we’re still in the fight—and Jehovah sees our effort.

He will bless every sincere prayer, every honest attempt, every faithful step.

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