“Your eyes should look straight ahead, yes, fix your gaze straight ahead of you.” Proverbs 4:25
[Study 48 from ws 11/20 p.24 January 25 – January 31, 2021]
A reader of this week’s Watchtower Study article may wonder why choose such a theme? It is not even a question such as “Why look straight ahead to the future?”. Rather, the way the theme is worded, the theme is trying to tell us what to do.
The study article is made up of just three main topics which are:
- The trap of nostalgia
- The trap of resentment
- The trap of excessive guilt
Let us look at the context of Proverbs 4:25 to help us understand what the inspired writer of Proverbs was discussing.
Proverbs 4:20-27 reads as follows: “My son, pay attention to my words; Listen carefully to my sayings. 21 Do not lose sight of them; Keep them deep within your heart, 22 For they are life to those who find them And health to their whole body. 23 Above all the things that you guard, safeguard your heart, For out of it are the sources of life. 24 Put crooked speech away from you, And keep devious talk far away from you. 25 Your eyes should look straight ahead, Yes, fix your gaze straight ahead of you. 26 Smooth out the course of your feet, And all your ways will be sure. 27 Do not incline to the right or the left. Turn your feet away from what is bad.”
The message given in this passage is to keep our figurative eyes (as in our mind) straight ahead, but why? So that we do not lose spiritual sight of God’s words as written in his written word the Bible and by implication, as later preached by his Son, Jesus Christ, the Word (or mouthpiece) of God. The reason being is that it would mean good physical health for us, and future life. By putting our faith in Jesus as the savior of mankind, we keep safeguarded in our figurative heart the sayings of everlasting life. (John 3:16,36; John 17:3; Romans 6:23; Matthew 25:46, John 6:68).
In addition, with our “eyes” and hence minds fixed on truth, avoiding crooked speech and devious talk, we would not turn away from serving God and Christ our King. We would also turn away from what is bad.
Does the study article deal with any of these points that the context of Proverbs 4:25 requires?
No. Rather the study article goes off at a tangent to deal with issues in the congregations that are all of the Organization's own making, either directly caused by or as a result of their teaching and style of teaching.
The first section of the study article deals with the subject of “The Trap of Nostalgia”.
Paragraph 6 states “Why is it unwise to keep thinking that our life was better in the past? Nostalgia can cause us to remember only good things from our past. Or it can cause us to minimize the hardships we used to face.”. Now, this is a true statement, but why raise this point? How many Witnesses do you know who look back with nostalgia to times without modern communications, poorer healthcare, less variety of food, and so forth?
However, no doubt you know of many Witnesses who look back to when they were younger and healthier and were earning sufficient money to pay their way and Armageddon was on the doorstep (whether 1975 or by the year 2000). These same Witnesses though are now facing poor health in their old age, a lack of income to maintain a reasonable standard of living perhaps due to no savings and no pension. Why? The main cause for most of them is because of making life-affecting decisions based on the false hopes they were convinced to believe were real hopes, i.e., that such things like a pension would not be required (because Armageddon would come before they needed one). Now they find themselves in these sad positions and hence look back wishing for the better times they had to be here again. With the Covid Pandemic, many younger ones have likewise been convinced that Armageddon is imminent and right now are making the same mistakes in making life-affecting decisions, based on false hopes.
The reality is that the Organization wants you to put on blinkers, and not look back to when times were better. Many of us had strong faith that Armageddon was near, in part because we believed the lies we were told. Now, we have to look at where these views and beliefs have brought us, in poor circumstances, and left with only a desire or vain hope that Armageddon is really near, rather than strong faith.
Of course, waking up to the reality that we have been misled by the Organization, perhaps for most of our lifetime, can lead to resentment.
No doubt that is the second section of the study article is entitled “The Trap of Resentment”.
Paragraph 9 reads: “Read Leviticus 19:18. We often find it hard to let go of resentment if the person who treated us wrongly is a fellow believer, a close friend, or a relative” or even the Organization we believed had the truth and was the one God was using today.
It is true “that Jehovah sees everything. He is aware of all that we go through, including any injustices we experience.” (para 10). “We also want to remember that when we let go of resentment, we benefit ourselves.” (para 11). But that does not mean, nor should we, forget that the Organization has mistreated us or our relatives, and has lied to us. Otherwise, we would fall for their lies yet again and suffer again. Likewise, with the rest of organized religion which we may have left behind when becoming a Witness. Would it be wise to be nostalgic about those times and return to them? Would it not be just exchanging one set of lies for another? Instead, is it not best that we personally build a relationship with God and Christ using what God and Christ have provided to all, the Bible, rather than relying on other's views and interpretations and who for the most part desire a following.
This reviewer, Tadua, does not have the desire or the intention to become responsible for other's salvation. There is a big difference between being helpful, by providing the results of research in God’s word for other's benefit and expecting the readers to always follow and agree with its conclusions. Does not Philippians 2:12 remind us, “keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling”? We can each help one another, just as the early Christians did, as we all have different strengths, but ultimately, we each have an individual responsibility to work out our own salvation. We should not expect others to do so, nor fall into the trap of following everything other say, otherwise, we are taking the easy way out and trying to absolve ourselves of taking personal responsibility.
The third section deals with “The trap of excessive guilt”. How is this a result of the teachings of the Organization?
Given that the articles from the Organization are invariably written in such a way as to instigate fear, obligation, and guilt, in us, it is hardly surprising they need to try and counterbalance the feelings of guilt many Witnesses have. We are always being pushed to do more by the Organization, being presented with so-called experiences of Witnesses who seem to be able to accomplish the impossible, for example, like a single parent with a large number of children, being able to care for them financially, emotionally, and pioneer as well!
We can learn from the causes of nostalgia, resentment, and excessive guilt. How so? We can learn to echo Jesus' word’s in our mind regarding the future day of Armageddon, “Concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father”. (Matthew 24:36.)
Whatever the future holds at least “We have the prospect of living forever. And in God’s new world, we will not be plagued with regrets about the past. Regarding that time, the Bible says: “The former things will not be called to mind.” (Isaiah. 65:17)”.
Archived Comments
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Comment by Leonardo Josephus on 2021-01-26 04:02:49
On the one hand, JW.Org has led me to the Bible. I cannot say whether I would have got there without them, but I am grateful for that. The Bible then has helped me see the way to treat people, not to be over opinionated, and many other good things. But, it was me who decided to live by the Bible. Who should I credit ? Obviously God, and if you like, Jesus. (I like).
Now I look back, in later life. Am I nostalgic for the past. Not at all. I am nostalgic for what life might have been. JWs did not teach the truth, which is what I understood they were all about. I have avoided pitfalls. But I have missed what might have been, to enjoy a full life, not one of sin, but to fulfil whatever potential I might have had.
And I have to look forward to losing family members who are still in the cult.
Am I resentful. You bet.
But I have at last, and at least, found the truth here , and that is a great gift...
Love to all in the middle of lockdown.Reply by Andrew on 2021-01-26 10:13:39
Leonardo:
My wife feels the same way that you do about having an unfulfilled potential. But she is also grateful (as you are) for being directed to the Bible. Even though she still is technically part of the congregation, and has done nothing wrong, she is being shunned by 98% of the congregation, because of reprehensible rumor was spread about her by several in the congregation. Most assumed it was true just because they heard it from a congregation member. She is horrified that people who call themselves Christians could act in this way. She has been a Witness for 47 years, and her entire world collapsed in a matter of weeks, She is resentful, and confused, but interestingly, her faith is stronger than ever. I read her this scripture from the Living Bible a few days ago, and now she is reading the entire New Testament with a clean slate, and is amazed at what she is reading.
"Our hearts ache, but at the same time we have the joy of the Lord. We are poor, but we give rich spiritual gifts to others. We own nothing, and yet we enjoy everything."
2 Corinthians 6:10
She is now seeing Christianity for what it really is for the very first time. She now recognizes that she is a child of God, after having been told for decades that she was not. The transformation is nothing short of breathtaking. One of the most fascinating storylines of most experiences like hers is that the same attitude of study and research that leads to becoming a Witness is the same attitude that can guide you out and lead you to real truth.
Thank you for your heartfelt comments. My wife has read them as well, and knowing that someone else feels the same way she does about unfulfilled potential, has helped her realize that her potential is still there. She now has the freedom to pursue it.
AndrewReply by MarthaMartha on 2021-01-27 02:02:37
Andrew,
“ One of the most fascinating storylines of most experiences like hers is that the same attitude of study and research that leads to becoming a Witness is the same attitude that can guide you out and lead you to real truth.”
I love this comment. I found it true in my case. I also think that it identifies the people who are really searching for truth rather than being happy to be told what to believe.
I’m so happy for you and your wife. Sometimes it takes a shock to the system to wake us up; it did with me; and it is painful at first but my word, how wonderful is life after that?!
Greetings to you all.
Martha x
Reply by Jerome on 2021-01-27 10:45:04
Andrew,
Thank you so much for sharing your wife's experience. It gives me hope that the same could one day happen with my wife. She has been a witness for over 40 years and sincerely believes this is God's organization despite its imperfections in the same way that Israel was with all of its imperfections and bad rulers. It's so frustrating to see how the organization has convinced its members that waiting on Jehovah means to stay loyal to the organization, keep looking straight ahead to the future, no matter what happens, no matter what falsehoods are taught, no matter how many changes and adjustments in teaching are made, the future reward of paradise will make the endurance of it without complaining all worthwhile. Jehovah's Witnesses so often say they are in the truth and that salvation depends on worshiping God in spirit and truth, when in reality what they prize the most is loyalty. Loyalty above all costs!Reply by Ad_Lang on 2021-01-28 06:26:08
But loyalty to whom?
I'm technically still in, but only because I'm not quite sure yet what is the best, most effective way of leaving. That is, ensuring that honest-hearted brothers know about the reason why.
So far, I have been thinking about the example of David, when he was chased by Saul for his life. In 1 Samuel 27, we can read how David decided to get out of the boundaries of the nation of Israel, God's "valley of protection", to live under the authority and protection of the Philistines. He did that for a year and 4 months, so a fair amount of time. He had 600 faithful men supporting him, each with their household. I haven't found a single negative word about him doing so, but please correct me if there is. All along, David did respect Saul's place in Jehovah's arrangement (1 Samuel 26:8-12). It seems Jehovah fully supported this decision, along with the others David made.
For the sake of your comfort, in 1 Samuel 31 describes how Saul died, and probably many of those at his side. I've noticed that Saul was about the only one who had been judged unfavourably at that point. There seems to be no word of condemnation of men who chose to support either Saul or David. However, likely many of those who chose to keep supporting Saul died along with him.
The same may happen in our day. Revelation 18:4 urges God's people to get out of Babylon the Great "if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues". It is not for us to say whether a brother (m/f) might survive, or be resurrected after having died as a result of remaining in. After all, it has been given to Jesus to do the judging and, like Jehovah, he will be fully aware of the motives and circumstances for each individual (Luke 12:47-48; John 5:22; Heb. 4:15 and 1 Joh. 3:19,20).
(Note: in 1 John 3:20, God being greater than our hearts means having greater authority, i.e. being in the position to overturn/overrule the condemnation of our own hearts).Reply by Naomi on 2021-01-30 07:52:10
I really appreciate your thoughts on David’s experience. I am going to read that account & give it serious meditation as well. It could help me in my dilemma as to making a permanent break from the Organization.
Reply by Leonardo Josephus on 2021-01-28 12:06:20
Hi Jerome
You reminded me of Hayden Covington's words as recalled in Ray Franz book, In Search of Christian Freedom :-
Unity at all costs. Based on enforced acceptance of false prophecy was conceded to be true.
.
Reply by Naomi on 2021-01-30 07:44:56
I really appreciated your comments here. I feel so much as your wife does, very similar situation. Please send give her my Christian love .
Reply by Andrew on 2021-01-31 11:16:48
I will. Thank you for replying.
Reply by Frankie on 2021-01-30 15:47:27
I'm happy for your wife and for realizing that her potential is still there. You are right, she now has the freedom to pursue it. For ever.
FrankieReply by Andrew on 2021-01-31 11:20:44
Yes, she does. And she is exploring lots of things that in the past she felt she couldn't. Ironically, one of these things is the idea that she really could be a child of God. She still is struggling against the idea that this is only for the "anointed" and that she cannot ever be good enough. Overcoming this indoctrinations takes time.
Reply by Frankie on 2021-01-31 18:45:57
Dear Andrew, thank you for your response. I agree with you, this takes time. The WT uses typical mind programming techniques to indoctrinate people. It is strong weapon, but our Lord Jesus is stronger than anything is.
You wrote, your dear one feels that she could be the God's child. But she IS the God's child, because Jesus "to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12; also see 1 John 5:1,5).
When I pray, every my prayer starts with words: "My Father in heaven ...... " exactly how my Lord taught His disciples (Matt 6:9). I never tell "My heavenly friend”, because Jesus teaches me to pray to my heavenly Father. Who is more, father of friend?
The issue "not to be good enough” is very common and I think it is connected with instant emphasis on "do more” mantra. The factor of faith is strongly suppressed by WT. But our brother Paul wrote: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The faith is crucial. Your wife is saved by faith as Jesus is saying to her:
”I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)
And if she believes in this, then she is saved. Not that she will be saved, no, she is already saved, NOW. This is power of faith in Jesus. We have been justified by faith (Rom 5:1). We are justified in God's eyes by this faith. Our heavenly Father tells me " blood of my beloved Son justified you, because you believe in Him. You are good enough”. Then I can't say "No, no, my Father, I am not good enough" - could I say this?
WT translates the word "faith" as "exercise faith." This is extremely manipulative and dangerous. Based on this, the "do more" atmosphere and the possible feelings of guilt are created (because no matter how much I do, I can always do more).
What did Jesus say on the cross? - "It is finished." Everything was already done then. No additional "acts to save” are required. And if I do anything, I do it on the basis of faith and love, because both of them induce my deeds. However, this is another topic - balance between Romans 5 and Jacob 2.
I think, you know all of this. Please, give to your wife (and my sister in Christ) my warm christian greetings.
Peace and love to you both.
FrankieReply by Andrew on 2021-01-31 22:36:45
Frankie:
Thank you for the encouragement. I have ready my wife 1 John 5:1 many times, and it is slowly starting to make a difference.
Andrew
Reply by MarthaMartha on 2021-01-27 02:04:30
Leonardo, my feelings echo yours exactly.
Greetings and love from lockdown up North.Reply by Leonardo Josephus on 2021-01-27 04:58:22
Hi MarthaMartha
Why did I think you were in Os ?
Keep safeReply by MarthaMartha on 2021-01-30 04:39:55
I have no idea.... I must be successful in covering my tracks!?
Reply by Ad_Lang on 2021-01-28 08:15:30
In addition to my other comment:
I feel lost potential due to my youth, but not because of being part of the brotherhood. It has greatly changed me for the better in quite a number of ways. However, more than that is how Jehovah and Jesus view our past in this respect, as says Luke 12:47,
"Then that slave who understood the will of his master, but did not get ready or do what he asked (...)".
It tells me that if you were somehow not able to do the Master's will, he will look at whether or not you have made an effort to get in the position to do so. It appears to me that most visiting here, and participating, have at some point been in captivity just like I have been. We did not have the understanding to do the Master's will, but now that we do, we are putting an effort to making the necessary changes. If Jesus were to return tomorrow, that is what he will be looking at for the sake of a favourable judgement.Reply by rudytokarz on 2021-01-28 10:16:20
Your comments reflect what I have been thinking as well. If we give at least some credit to sincere, God-loving people in other Christian religions, we have to do the same with JWs who are still in. All my family are still in and would never think any other way; they are all (mostly) sincere, loving people. The problem is that none of them would ever think that other sincere, God-loving people outside the Organization can be right with God. This results in the shunning attitude when others don't agree with the Organization thus the many here that are, like myself, PIMO.
The constant praising of the Organization instead of Jesus causes the attitude that anyone outside of it is not worth our time unless they submit to its ways.
Reply by Naomi on 2021-01-30 07:41:05
Wonderful expressions! I actually feel appreciative for how the JWs taught me to benefit from the Bible, how to use it & all the practice advise as to how to apply its council & principles in my life. But, I also feel this same resentment for my past 32 years of not living up to my potential, for all my attempts to brain wash my children with the JW teachings & putting them through such ridicule & loneliness without real friends. I lived on the edge everyday , wondering if Armageddon was coming, I couldn’t plan for any practical future in this system, ,all my plans were for the new system. I wasn’t mentally prepared to grow old. The thoughts of my loved ones being cut off from life At Armageddon was so disturbing that I couldn’t bare to consider that. None of my family are JWs except my children, so the thought of not having any of them in the new system was unbearable. I would always try to witness to them in some way & pray they have a change of heart & want to become a JW like me. But it was only wishful thinking at the time ....... why would we expect people to fall for their deceptive teachings & join the cult just because I did? So yes, I do have nostalgia and resentment but now I can look to the future in a more positive way as I build my new relationship with Jehovah and his precious son Jesus Christ.
Reply by Frankie on 2021-01-30 15:23:29
Hi Leonardo,
Thank you for sharing your experience and your inner feelings. I have experiences similar to yours. The JWs taught me a lot about the Bible, about God and His Son. With respect to my profession I appreciated the systematic nature of the study and the analysis of information. And I'm grateful to them for that.
At that time we were behind so called "iron curtain” in Eastern Europe and have almost zero real information about Org; we know nothing about 1975 fiasco, for example. And, of course, we were under strong police pressure (up to 1989).
The first thing I didn't internally agree with, during my study, was that the Bible was not written for me. But then I put this problem aside. It was mistake, but God fixed it - after all, He knows me and He knows that I am His and He would never leave me (and He will never leave any of you).
Inconsistencies with the Bible grew, and I saw more and more manipulations of the texts. Is this the only Christian organization (I rejected the other ones long ago)? My speech was gradually more and more unpleasant to elders and finally after 14 years I left meetings. Unfortunately, I began gradually to move away from Jesus. I hardly thought of Him or God and my actions became unchristian, partly because of my inner rebellion against God.
But my heavenly Father saw me and acted. He drew me to his beloved Son (John 6:65). The series of events occurred. I will mention the first and most important one. One day I suddenly began to think of Jesus, of everything he did and of his suffering, and of how he died innocent. And .... I started cry like a small child, tears streaming down my cheeks, as if someone closest to me had died. I really cried for Jesus.
Given the unspiritual state I was in, this was absolutely unexpected. After that I asked myself - WHY?
Now I know - this was what God's intervention looked like in my case. I needed a real blow. And only then I have really believed.
Then my other experiences with God followed and I realized that what I always felt was true - the Bible is written for me and I am saved by the blood of Jesus Christ and I am God's child. All of this was personal and therefore very important. Because without personal experience the true love doesn't arise - either among people or between people and God or Jesus. And I love my dear ones - my heavenly Father and His Son. God and Jesus are every minute with me and they constantly work upon me (and upon everyone). I wish I have noticing them better.
Dear Leonardo, you wrote "But I have missed what might have been, to enjoy a full life ... ". But the full life is ahead of you. The infinite life with your heavenly Father and His Son is before you, with your dear ones believing in the name of Jesus and baptized in His name, with other people (John 6:65) and with miracles you don't even dream of (1 Cor 2:9). Yes, and we will meet somewhere in the future and I will greet you: "Hi LJ, you look great for your 125 468 years!" :-)
Peace and love to you.
Frankie
Comment by Slepajula on 2021-01-31 03:15:29
Dziękuję, też tak uważam i powtarzam mężowi cyt "ostatecznie kazdy z nas indywidualnie odpowie" nie organizacja, nie starszy. Trudno jednak skruszyć beton
Reply by Meleti Vivlon on 2021-01-31 09:38:19
Here's the google translation: "Thank you, I think so too and I repeat to my husband the quote "in the end, each of us will answer individually" no organization, not older. However, it is difficult to crush concrete "
I concur.