Practical Advice for Today

 
  The Bible provides basic but practical principles that can guide us in every aspect of modern life. Here are some examples:
 
• Enjoying good relationships with others
 
  “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.”—Matthew 7:12.
 
  “He that conducts himself as a lesser one among all of you is the one that is great.”—Luke 9:48.
 
  “Follow the course of hospitality.”—Romans 12:13.
 
• Overcoming destructive habits
 
  “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.”—Proverbs 13:20.
 
  “Do not come to be among heavy drinkers of wine.”—Proverbs 23:20.
 
  “Do not have companionship with anyone given to anger.”—Proverbs 22:24.
 
• Building a stable marriage
 
  “Let each one of you individually so love his wife as he does himself; on the other hand, the wife should have deep respect for her husband.”—Ephesians 5:33.
 
  “Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely.”—Colossians 3:12, 13.
 
• Helping children
 
  “Train up a boy according to the way for him; even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it.”—Proverbs 22:6.
 
  “You, fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and mental-regulating of Jehovah.”—Ephesians 6:4.
 
• Avoiding quarrels
 
  “An answer, when mild, turns away rage, but a word causing pain makes anger to come up.”—Proverbs 15:1.
 
  “In showing honor to one another take the lead.”—Romans 12:10.
 
  Even among friends, business disputes are often avoided by making written agreements. Thus, God’s servant 

Jeremiah wrote: “I wrote in a deed and affixed the seal and took witnesses as I went weighing the money in the scales.”—Jeremiah 32:10.
 
• Cultivating a positive attitude
 
  “Whatever things are true, . . . lovable, . . . well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.”—Philippians 4:8.
 
  The Bible discourages dwelling on negative thoughts and censures “complainers about their lot in life.” It says: “Rejoice in the hope.”—Jude 4, 16; Romans 12:12.
 
  Applying these fine principles will not only enable us to enjoy peace and contentment now but also help us to measure up to God’s requirements and receive his blessing. The Bible says: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.”—Psalm 37:29.