“We have a struggle … against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12.
[From ws 4/19 p.20 Study Article 17: June 24-30, 2019]
“We see abundant evidence that Jehovah protects his people today. Consider: We are preaching and teaching the truth in all parts of the earth. (Matthew 28:19, 20) As a result, we expose the evil works of the Devil.” (Par.15)
This is a fallacious statement.
Firstly, as shown scripturally in numerous articles on this site, Jehovah’s Witnesses as an Organization are teaching and preaching a lot of untruth. Therefore, why would Jehovah protect those claiming to be his people when they are worshipping and teaching falsehood? When the nation of Israel were worshipping in falsehood, what happened to them? Notice what Jeremiah said about the Israelites back in the years leading up to Jerusalem’s destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE:
“And Jehovah went on to say to me: “Falsehood is what the prophets are prophesying in my name. I have not sent them, nor have I commanded them or spoken to them. A false vision and divination and a valueless thing and the trickiness of their heart they are speaking prophetically to YOU people”. (Jer 14:14)
Students of the Bible will know that Jehovah did not protect his people from destruction by Nebuchadnezzar, because they would not repent, despite numerous warnings to do so.
In addition, this so-called abundant evidence is not provided nor referenced, instead we are expected to take the Organization’s word that it exists. Just like the claim that Jesus appointed the Governing Body as the Faithful and Discreet Slave in 1919. Any attempt to find scriptural or factual information to confirm this claim in the Organization’s literature is doomed to failure. Is Jehovah protecting the Organization from numerous lawsuits by victims of Child sexual abuse, where obedience to scripture and secular authorities would have minimized or eliminated their exposure to such lawsuits, which threaten to bankrupt them? Obviously not, otherwise why the sale of 100’s of Kingdom Halls, which only 5-10 years ago were needed to hold the existing Witnesses and to be able to cope with the expected rapid expansion before Armageddon—a teaching that obviously has now been discreetly dropped.
Jesus warned against those claiming to be the anointed one and claiming to speak in his name. For example, Matthew 24:3-5 says, “While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” 4 And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ [or literally ‘I am the anointed one’] and will mislead many”.
For examples of what the Bible really teaches, please look at articles on this site about Resurrection, Mankind’s hope for the future, shunning and the judicial committee system, and the two witness rule, and 1914 not being the time of Christ’s enthronement, nor 607 BCE being the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, and so on.[i]
Secondly, they claim to “expose the evil works of the Devil”. For many years now, Satan and the demons have only been mentioned in passing. This can hardly be described as exposing them. The apparent main reason for this is a misguided interpretation of Jesus example (not command) as shown in the heading of paragraph 13 which is to “Avoid telling stories about the demons”. It goes on to say “But he did not relate stories about what those wicked spirits had done. Jesus wanted to be a witness of Jehovah, not a publicity agent for Satan.” This is disingenuous at best. Of course, one would not go preaching about the demons, just as Jesus did not. However, Jesus openly acknowledged the problems the demons caused. (See Matthew 9:32-33, Matthew 17:14-20, Mark 1:32-33, Mark 6:12-13, Mark 7:25-30, Luke 4:33-37,41, Luke 8:26-39, Luke 9:37-43, Luke 11:14-15, Luke 13:32, Acts 16:16-21) Being honest in acknowledging a problem is not being a publicity agent for Satan.
He also went further and cured those afflicted by demons. Surely it is important that we (a) protect others where we can from coming under demonic influence, which may involve warning them with examples as to how demons are able to possess and influence others. It may also involve (b) telling others personal experiences as to how one was attacked and how it was possible to finally gain relief.
A code of silence, as pursued by the Organization today, plays into the hands of the demons, as people become ashamed to openly seek help. Elders, have now, certainly in first world countries, also become very blasé and dismissive if publishers approach them with such problems or suggestions that some problems / illnesses may be exacerbated by demonic influence / attack.
The second part of paragraph 13 continues, “Surely, if Satan were able to, he would stop all our activity, but he cannot. So we do not need to be terrified of wicked spirits.”
This is an assumption based on another assumption. Under scrutiny it collapses like a tower of cards. There is another highly plausible explanation, albeit one which will not very palatable to Witnesses. Maybe Satan has not tried to stop all the activity of the Organization, simply because he does not want to. The reason being that the Organization is just another one of his false religious organisations. We need to remember the words of the Apostle Paul when he said, “for Satan himself keeps transforming himself into an angel of light. 15 It is therefore nothing great if his ministers also keep transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness. But their end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).
Hiding in plain sight and claiming to be Jehovah’s Organization attracts many genuine, goodhearted people who have a love of God and Christ. However, when these ones wake up to the lies they have been taught, the vast majority are stumbled and lose all faith in God. What could be better for Satan than that particular outcome?
The following may seem to be a sudden change of topic, but please bear with me, it is relevant to the article.
What is the attitude of Jehovah and Christ Jesus to wicked opposers?
2 Peter 3:9 states:
“Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with YOU because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.”. In a similar vein Ezekiel 33:11 says “Say to them, ‘“As I am alive,” is the utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah, “I take delight, not in the death of the wicked one, but in that someone wicked turns back from his way and actually keeps living. Turn back, turn back from YOUR bad ways, for why is it that YOU should die, O house of Israel?”
These and other scriptures portray a kind, loving, and patient God, rather than an angry, destructive One.
The picture relating to paragraphs 10-12 seems strange. No one in the picture has a happy face about getting free of spiritistic influence. Admittedly, some of the things burnt were valuable in a superstitious and spiritistic environment, but they surely would have been filled with joy to be set free. In fact, the body language of one person (second from the right) on the right seems to indicate he did it under protest and is upset at what he has given up. Is the Organization really against the demonic forces as they claim or are they hiding behind a veneer, when really trying to destroy one’s confidence in God and Jesus Christ?
Another interesting point is that it appears 1914 is being quietly dropped. Not for the first time in recent Watchtower publications events claimed to have happened in 1914 are still being mentioned as facts but without the date being mentioned. An example in this article is in Paragraph 14 which says “Empowered by Jehovah, the glorified Jesus showed his power over Satan and the demons when they were cast down from heaven to the earth” with no reference to any date.
We should conclude by referring to the word of the disciple James: “Subject yourselves to God, but oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.”—James 4:7, 8. This is far better advice than that proffered in general throughout this Watchtower study article.
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[i]This site makes no claim to have all the truth. What we are is a group of honest hearted Christians endeavouring to check in a Beroean like way all that is taught in God’s word, to discover truth and share this with others in the hope it will also benefit them. It is incumbent on all to check God’s word for themselves and not delegate it to others as sadly we all did to varying extents.
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Comment by Bernardbooks on 2019-06-27 09:52:49
It looks like the organization has been busy providing some food from the table of demons themselves.
Paragraph 6
“Satan uses spiritism to promote lies —including the lie that the dead are alive in some other realm.”
w16 October p.24 paragraph 12
“Sometime after the Kingdom’s birth in 1914, all such faithful anointed ones, who were sleeping in death, were raised to spirit life in heaven to share with Jesus in his rulership over mankind.”Reply by Justin Michesloff on 2019-06-27 14:49:50
Very interesting application of scripture Bernardbooks. I rarely get the "gotcha" smile anymore as the obvious truths continue to be uncovered, but I have one now. ? Well done!!
Tadua, well researched and supported commentary. Thank you.
Comment by Chet on 2019-06-27 20:07:44
Everything written by the JW organization is predicated on the notion that they alone are true Christians and could not possibly be wrong about spiritual and scriptural matters. Without self examination, they fall victim to deceit. It’s a pity.
Reply by messenger on 2019-06-28 02:14:21
Chet WT doesn't claim it cannot be wrong about spiritual matters. Note its quote from a February 2017 WT, p 26, par 12: “The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact the Watch Tower Publications Index, ‘Beliefs Clarified,’ which lists adjustment in our Scriptural understanding since 1870.”
The hypocrisy of WT is the fact that it admits it is not inspired, it claims it has no direct contact with God, and it admits it misinterprets scriptures at times; and yet it preaches every other Christian not a JW is an apostate, or misguided and part of an apostate religion. And why does WT claim all other Christians are apostates? Because WT claims those others do the exact same thing WT knows it is doing and says it is doing-which is misinterpreting some scriptures, and teaching some wrong ideas about how to live a Christian life. But WT goes even further than most other Christian denominations by telling JW Christians they must accept those wrong ideas and live according to the way WT teaches, right or wrong.
WT is a bigger hypocrite than those who killed Jesus Christ. At least those guys back then, in our Bible record, didn’t admit they did the exact same thing they killed Christ for. WT admits it does the exact same thing it condemns other Christians for in interpreting doctrines and when giving Bible directions on how to live a Christian life. Further WT demands its followers accept this or suffer the consequences, which will be brought on them by Watchtower if they don't.
Now if that blatant hypocrisy doesn’t start ANY active Jehovah’s Witness to question what WT is (a possible apostate church), it’s my belief nothing will. Because everything else WT does can logically be excused due to its own claim above, that they are imperfect and make mistakes, that they are not inspired of God, and that they have no contact with God-which is a claim WT has used for decades to excuse behavior by the organization, its leaders, and its elders. But THAT CLAIM proves it to be the ultimate religious hypocrite. Because WT teaches Jehovah's Witnesses and their Bible students that everyone else who does that is an apostate. The only ones doing it who aren't apostates are WT and Jehovah's Witnesses.Reply by Leonardo Josephus on 2019-06-28 03:44:42
When WT is wrong, it wriggles, gives evasive answers, and its appointed men lean on "Do you think you know more than the faithful slave".
The May Watchtower contains excellent examples of wriggling, but no admission of wrongdoing or the reasons behind the discussion of love and justice.
Geoffrey Jackson, the ARC, was asked "Do you see yourselves as Jehovah God's spokespeople on earth". He replied that it would be quite presumptuous to say that we are the only spokesperson that God is using.
In clarifying that answer, Bro Jackson made no attempt to answer the question but simply stated that in the last days there would be a slave with the responsibility to care for the spiritual food, and he considered the GB are trying to fulfil that role. Yet, if any JW does not accept that that the GB are the faithful slave, its the back room for him.
The Kingdom rules books contains plenty of other examples, changing history after the events, re-describing those events, etc.
Then there is, for example, the official JW website on shunning. Tolerable in theory, but not what happens in practice.
WT will always wriggle.
Messenger, WT may not claim to be infallible, but its members have to agree with them, even when they are wrong, which they never admit. It all sounds sounds like infallibility under a different name.
You can question, but you will never be right until they say so.
George Orwell's 1984 comes to mind.
PS. Thanks for the article Tadua, by the way. I am pleased I spotted all your main thoughts myself before I read your article.Reply by messenger on 2019-06-28 07:50:42
Jackson did more than wiggle when answering those two questions that he received at the ARC which you cited Leonardo. He lied. Since the early 20th century, at least since 1919 if not before, WT has written in multiple published works that no one can come to an accurate knowledge of the Bible without WT's help, and accepting WT's interpretation of it. It also claims to be the ONLY organization appointed by Christ in modern history to preach his message. As a matter of fact WT teaches all other Christians are worshiping the Devil in ignorance. So when Jackson denied that he believed WT is God's exclusive spokesman on Earth, and claimed the opposite, he lied.
Comment by Alithia on 2019-06-29 07:43:44
As already mentioned Jesus routinely cured people of demonic influence and it was an integral as it was a considerable part of his ministry.
Jesus enabled his followers, when he sent out the 70 with the ability to do the same thing. On one occasion there was consternation amongst the disciples as they could not expel a demon as it was a powerful one. Jesus used the occasion to talk about faith and what could be accomplished by it, having rebuked and expelled the demon from the person.
When the 70 disciples returned to Jesus they excitedly reported to Jesus how even the demons were made subject to them!! I imagine lots of talk amongst themselves, their families and others too.
However today the Org recommends we do not talk about this subject even though it was a “hot” topic amongst Jesus and his followers in the first Century!
My suspicions are that when the numbers started to climb in the African countries it came to the attention of the Orgs leadership the rampant demonic activity in some of these places, as witch doctors, sorcerers etc. are a daily part of life in many of these places.
I have friends from Africa and Spiritism is a daily feature of life there as are the many stories of spiritistic influences and manifestations. Conversation is common even amongst the “brothers” spiritism being so common.
Unprepared and I think even afraid if not themselves guided by spirits of the bad kind the Org uses only what it has at its disposal. The same old blunt instrument, the Watchtower, with articles directing we do not even talk about this kind of thing. This no doubt leaves most witnesses in other countries guessing about the whole thing.
But in places like Africa it hobbled the brothers who often are in desperate need to talk about this issue as demonic harassment is a real problem.
Unfortunately for them it does not fit in with the “Spiritual Paradise” myth and having brothers talk all the time about continuing demonic harassment is not good publicity for the Orgs reputation or for its claims that having Gods name Jehovah “around their necks” like garlic to ward off vampires is as big a myth.
The implications I think would lead to where they do not want it to point to.
Love to all from Alithia.
Comment by Truth_seeker on 2019-06-30 04:59:50
I enjoy these discussions because they are open and frank, with no 'know it all' attitude. I always suggest that we 'not throw the kid out with the bathwater'. We studied the Bible as Jehovah's Witnesses, even though with Watchtower-colored glasses. That doesn't make some of the good points we learned invalid. None of us have seen the invisible realm so, whatever theology we subscribe to, we have to prepare for the eventuality that we may have to throw cherished ideas overboard 'when the Lord comes'. This awareness helps us to respect other's ideas that at least should be heard. We keep an open mind for things that do not require to be acted upon immediately. We need to keep praying to better our relationship with our Redeemer, who has been notoriously neglected by Watchtower. I believe this gives us serenity. At least for myself, I can't function any other way.
Reply by messenger on 2019-06-30 15:00:37
The only Jehovah’s Witnesses that are in grave danger of being judged adversely by Christ are the hypocrites who know the truth about certain scriptural matters but deny those truths by how they live their lives. Especially the bullies who attack others who refuse to follow their own path of denial. Inside the Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses that especially might include some elders and WT associates in rank above elders, who know the real truth about certain matters they deny publicly . Because Christians are saved by faith, because these deny faith in Christ, while doing that, they live in danger. Christ also remembers the type of people who attacked him-some of those men were like that. Most Jehovah’s Witnesses are not like that. Most JWs are just ignorant of what some Bible scriptures mean, and so they misapply those when teaching and in their lives-(e.g. like teaching it’s against God’s law to vote). Christ is not killing people for that reason or for being so scripturally ignorant they teach it.
Every Bible scripture was written to be understood accurately, or it wouldn’t have been inspired to be written down. God does not sound indistinct trumpet calls, as Paul metaphorically described unclear speech (1 Corinthians 14:8). It should not be believed no one knows how to interpret parts of the Bible accurately, because if true those parts would serve no purpose. The idea no Christian can interpret parts of the Bible with an exact meaning is inaccurate. But because accurate interpretation of scripture has to be given by God it is not something that can be learned solely through studying theology, whether studying what a single person believes, or by learning from many people, even diverse groups of them. John tells us how God teaches those he chose to be Christ’s church, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13 NIV)
What about the “partial knowledge” Paul describes in 1 Cor. Chapter 13? Since Paul was chosen he learned from the Spirit. And Paul knew what the scriptures meant. He didn’t mean he failed to understand scripture when he wrote he had partial knowledge at 1 Corinthians chapter 13. He meant there were things unclear to him that could not be made clear or seen through reading scriptures, even with help from the God’s Spirit. For instances, reading scriptures could not give him a clear picture of heaven as you stated. Thus he had a limited or partial knowledge of that, as well as other things that are not specified in scriptures. Paul might not have known the identity of some characters in scriptures, especially those characters that hadn’t arrived yet. But his characterization of himself possessing complete knowledge (not partial) applies to a time period during his post human existence, and not to that pre-apocalyptic time period he wrote in, before his death and resurrection.
Since Paul wrote some Christians who misinterpret scriptures are pleasing to God in spite of their ignorance:
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:1-4)
Then why did Peter write some people are twisting scripture to their own destruction?
“These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed.” (2nd Peter 2:12 New Living Translation) And Peter continued, “as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction .”(2 Peter chapter 3 ESV)
The ignorant Christians in Peter’s scriptures are contrasted with those in Paul’s scripture in this way. In Paul’s account the brothers and sisters just fail to understand. God does not hold that against them, because it is God that has not granted them complete understanding. In Peter’s account the Christians are making fun of correct ideas other Christians present to them, and they distort the meaning of those scriptures that are cited to an unreasonable degree, in order to fulfill desires they have, desires that go against God’s will. In those cases they are not just ignorant because God has not given them complete understanding. In the case of these ones they are ignorant because of who they are and what their desires are. And who they are has nothing to do with God holding anything back from them. Peter describes them as animalistic.
Concerning these scoffing people that Peter wrote about, Paul agrees with Peter that they should not have been judging Christians for presenting beliefs that are different than their own-that is up to a certain point (per Peter’s words). Yes Paul wrote, “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.” (Romans 14:10 ESV). Their judging and scoffing is part of their attempt to carry others along without presenting sound scriptural arguments that are accurate, and godly reasons to follow them. Peter warned against following them. “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness.” (2 Peter chapter 3 ESV)Reply by Frankie on 2019-07-03 17:01:33
Hi Messenger.
No, you're not right. Why you extract one or two sentences from my comment and then you build around that your speculations. Answers to your questions are contained in my comment to brother Truth_seeker. Please, try to read it more carefully and as a whole.
As to „absolute truth“. Your teaching of any of the Bible topics may not be absolutely correct. Or everything you teach is correct? If so, you own absolute Biblical truth. Do you think you have that absolute truth? I hope not, otherwise you can continue in writing scriptures, perhaps 1st Messenger right after Revelation :o) .
Love, FrankieReply by messenger on 2019-07-03 22:51:15
Frankie,
You skated around my question, and instead you zeroed in on your opinion of my ability. Why? That was not a clear answer to my question. So I ask again, are you teaching there are Bible scriptures that cannot be correctly interpreted by CHRISTIANS, or are you teaching Christians cannot know everything God knows? And included in what God knows are things named in scripture that don't have their identities specified in scripture, like the identity of the King of the North and King of the South for instance?
I didn't see my question answered in your response above, which reads, "No, you’re not right. Why you extract one or two sentences from my comment and then you build around that your speculations. Answers to your questions are contained in my comment to brother Truth_seeker." (Your quote Frankie.) I'm not right about what? How about answering the question directly rather than alluding to your previous quote, so we'll know what you're teaching; because in reading your first comment it appeared to me I probably understood your thought? But if not clarify your thought please. Also Frankie, my first comment above this one was written three days ago. It was not written as a response to your comment to Truth _seeker, that you posted just a day ago.
This part of your new comment is a bit unclear, as in reading it I don't know if you mean me as a person or Christians as a group, you stated, " Your teaching of any of the Bible topics may not be absolutely correct. Or everything you teach is correct? If so, you own absolute Biblical truth. Do you think you have that absolute truth? I hope not, otherwise you can continue in writing scriptures, perhaps 1st Messenger right after Revelation :o) "
Let's be accurate about what reading and interpreting documents of scripture accomplishes, and what that does not accomplish. Interpreting scriptures does not accomplish writing new scriptures. What is accomplished is understanding the messages God wrote to his people.
Reply by Frankie on 2019-07-02 16:42:18
Hi Truth_seeker
Let me respond to your thoughts and share my opinion.
You wrote " ... we have to prepare for the eventuality that we may have to throw cherished ideas overboard 'when the Lord comes'." This is also exactly my view. My extensive Bible study may result in conclusion that either I will be in Heaven or I will be on Earth (for example), but in the end with joy I will accept EVERYTHING my heavenly Father will give me, because He loves me and He wants the best for me.
Often I am able to understand certain things only after the things had happened, on the basis of my own experience with God and His Son, rather than by my own logical thinking. Jesus works on me every day, every minute - it's all about whether I notice it. I often realize only retrospectively that the particular situation was intervention through holy Spirit.
God works on everyone through His holy Spirit individually, according to his or her state of mind, ability to understand certain things or specific circumstances. Some things I don't fully understand from the Bible. So I'll put them aside and I pray for holy Spirit to understand them. And my heavenly Father will decide how and when can I understand. And He did it many times.
My logical study conclusions may be either true or false. But our heavenly Father through His holy Spirit never fails. None of the people owns absolute truth. I am still in my sinful body so ".... for now I see through a glass, darkly ...”. And I'm not ashamed to say "I don't know". Because the God says: "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and MY thoughts than YOUR thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9).
Almost all religions (if not all) have the 'know it all' attitude. It is basis for creation of religious doctrines that are beginning of division, often resulting in wars and bloodshed. The Bible could be terrible weapon in hands of omniscient
Man. So I am learning to be patient and to wait for understanding coming from above and to be more spiritual than doctrinal.
Love, Frankie.Reply by messenger on 2019-07-03 05:18:10
Hi Frankie,
I am not sure exactly how you want us to interpret your words here, "None of the people owns absolute truth." Do you mean no one on Earth today, or in the past, accurately interprets(ed) Bible scriptures in their totality, or do you mean that no one knows everything God knows? Those are different ideas. I saw in your post that you used an example about a Bible teaching that is thoroughly covered in scripture. Your thoughts about that here, "My extensive Bible study may result in conclusion that either I will be in Heaven or I will be on Earth (for example)." So it appears you are teaching no people can accurately interpret all Bible scriptures. Is that correct? If so, I imagine you believe there is no one who knows what other scriptures absolutely mean also, not just those involving the destiny of Christ's church members. Am I correct?
Before you answer consider this. Let's compare everything Jehovah knows to college level algebra while comparing what God had written in Bible scriptures to basic math (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing). Using those as examples, are you teaching no one accurately knows how to apply basic math whenever they choose to use it, or are you saying no one accurately knows college level algebra?
See 1John 2:27 "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." KJV
Comment by jamesbrown on 2019-06-30 20:50:15
Hi all
I just would like to take this opportunity to thank Truth_Seeker for his comments
You have summed up my feelings about SOME of the good that I learnt over the years of being in the org.
1 Kings 14: 13 All Israel will mourn him and bury him, for he alone of Jer·o·boʹam’s family will be laid in a grave, because he is the only one of the house of Jer·o·boʹam in whom Jehovah the God of Israel has found something good.
Has the org, got me on the road to everlasting life? Yes. Has the org taught me to examine the scriptures daily? Yes. Has the org deviated from that course? Yes. Is their something GOOD found in this org? Yes.
An elderly brother made a beautiful comment last week’s WT regarding the condition of the dead “It’s great to see how I have all the scriptures at my finger tips to answer someone who lost a loved one in death”.
I can say a lot of bad things about the org to my wife and those who listen to me. I have been called a fault finder and NOT a follower of Christ, the reason for it, because I always find ways to extract the STRAW from my "brothers’ the org” eye, and not concern myself with preaching about Jehovah and Jesus.
I personally remind myself of the example of Uzzah: 1 Chronicles 13: 9 But when they came to the threshing floor of Chiʹdon, Uzʹzah thrust his hand out and grabbed hold of the Ark, for the cattle nearly upset it.
10 At that Jehovah’s anger blazed against Uzʹzah, and He struck him down because he had thrust his hand out to the Ark, and he died there before God.
The wheat and the weed will grow together and thank goodness no human will be doing the separation.
My words or feelings might not be pleasing to all on the website, BUT they are my words and feelings.
Jehovah has found SOMETHING GOOD in this org that I, so much dislike, but then, who am I to judge?
Again Truth _ Seeker I thank you for being upbuilding, you lifted up my spirit.
Warm Christian loveReply by Leonardo Josephus on 2019-07-01 05:49:39
It is always fine to be positive, James. As you say, the org has taught us a lot. It is just that it is hard to be positive when what you are fed is the "curate's egg" (only good in parts). There was some good among the religious leaders of Jesus day too (Matthew 23:3).