Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 24 August 2009

by LUKEWARM 6 Replies latest jw friends

  • LUKEWARM
    LUKEWARM

    *** lv chap. 9 pp. 97-109 "Flee From Fornication" ***

    "Deaden, therefore, your body members that are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."-COLOSSIANS 3:5.

    Q1, 2. How did Balaam scheme to cause harm to Jehovah's people?THE fisherman goes down to his favorite spot. He has a particular kind of fish in mind. He selects a lure and casts his line into the water. Moments later, the line goes taut, the rod bends, and he reels in his catch. Smiling, he knows he has chosen the right lure.

    "Smiling, he knows he has chosen the right lure."- I wonder if the leaders of the WTS are doing the same with this religion or are they truly ignorant of their errors?

    2 In the year 1473 B.C.E., a man named Balaam gave much thought to a lure. His intended prey, though, were God's people, who were camped on the Plains of Moab, at the border of the Promised Land. Balaam professed to be a prophet of Jehovah, but he was really just a greedy man hired to curse Israel. However, through Jehovah's intervention, Balaam was only able to bless Israel. Set on earning his reward, Balaam reasoned that perhaps he could induce God to curse his own people, if only they could be tempted to commit gross sin. With that goal in mind, Balaam cast the lure-the seductive young women of Moab.-Numbers 22:1-7; 31:15, 16; Revelation 2:14.

    Q3. To what extent did Balaam's scheme succeed?3 Did this strategy work? To an extent, yes. Tens of thousands of Israelite men took the lure by having "immoral relations with the daughters of Moab." They even began to worship Moabite gods, including the disgusting Baal of Peor, a god of fertility, or sex. As a result, 24,000 Israelites perished right at the border of the Promised Land. What a monumental tragedy that was!-Numbers 25:1-9.

    Was the idolatry of the "...worship Moabite gods..." as erroneous as the worship of the WTS by its members today?

    Q4. Why did thousands of Israelites fall prey to immorality?4 What paved the way for this calamity? Many of the people had developed a wicked heart by drawing away from Jehovah, the very God who had delivered them from Egypt, fed them in the wilderness, and led them safely to the land of promise. (Hebrews 3:12) Reflecting on the matter, the apostle Paul wrote: "Neither let us practice fornication, as some of them committed fornication, only to fall, twenty-three thousand of them in one day."-1 Corinthians 10:8.

    "...developed a wicked heart by drawing away from Jehovah" is the equivalent of wanting nothing to do with the WTS

    Q5, 6. Why is the account about Israel's sin on the Plains of Moab valuable to us today?5 The account in Numbers has many important lessons for God's people today, who stand at the threshold of a far greater promised land. (1 Corinthians 10:11) For example, the world's obsession with sex reflects that of the ancient Moabites but on a larger scale. Moreover, each year thousands of Christians fall prey to immorality-the same basic lure that caught the Israelites. (2 Corinthians 2:11) And in imitation of Zimri, who boldly paraded a Midianite woman right into the Israelite camp to his own tent, some who associate with God's people today have become a corrupting influence within the Christian congregation.-Numbers 25:6, 14; Jude 4.

    [Footnote]
    The figure given in Numbers evidently included "the head ones of the people" executed by the judges, which may have amounted to 1,000 men, and those executed directly by Jehovah.-Numbers 25:4, 5.

    "...stand at the threshold of a far greater promised land" - One has to wonder how they have any special insight as the words soon, near, last days, the final part of the days, on the brink have been used repeatedly for the last 130 years

    "...each year thousands of Christians fall prey to immorality" - how many are disfellowshipped despite being repentant?

    "...some who associate with God's people today have become a corrupting influence within the Christian congregation" - How? Any why no elaboration? Are they saying these are leading witnesses into apostasy?


    6 Do you see yourself on the modern-day Plains of Moab? Can you see your prize-the long-awaited new world-on the horizon? If so, then do everything in your power to remain in God's love by heeding the command: "Flee from fornication."-1 Corinthians 6:18.

    "...the long-awaited new world" and their 130 history of false prophecy http://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/1800s.php

    "...everything in your power to remain in God's love..." means keeping up with the WTS program of 2 meetings a week, family and personal study, field service, preparation for meetings etc

    WHAT IS FORNICATION?

    Q7, 8. What is "fornication," and how do those who practice it reap what they sow?7 As used in the Bible, "fornication" (Greek, por·nei′a) applies to illicit sexual relations outside of Scriptural marriage. It includes adultery, prostitution, and sex relations between unmarried individuals, as well as oral and anal sex and the sexual manipulation of the genitals of an individual to whom one is not married. It also includes such acts between individuals of the same sex as well as bestiality.

    [Footnote]
    For a discussion of the meaning of uncleanness and loose conduct, see "Questions From Readers" in The Watchtower of July 15, 2006, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.

    "As used in the Bible, "fornication" (Greek, por·nei′a) applies to..." where is the proof - is it in the footnoted reference?

    8 The Scriptures are very clear: Those who practice fornication cannot remain in the Christian congregation and will not receive everlasting life. (1 Corinthians 6:9; Revelation 22:15) What is more, even now they bring much harm to themselves in the form of a loss of trust and self-respect, marital discord, a guilty conscience, unwanted pregnancies, disease, and even death. (Galatians 6:7, 8) Why start down a path that is littered with so much misery? Sadly, many do not think that far ahead when they take the first wrong step-which quite often involves pornography.

    Those who practice fornication = so why are so many disfellowshipped when its clear they are not repeat offenders

    "...the first wrong step-which quite often involves pornography." Is this another unqualified statement or do they have data to back this up?

    PORNOGRAPHY-A FIRST STEP

    Q9. Is pornography harmless, as some claim? Explain.9 In many lands, pornography is featured on newsstands, in music, and on television, and it virtually saturates the Internet. Is it harmless, as some claim? Absolutely not! Those who view pornography may become habitual masturbators and nurture "disgraceful sexual appetites," which may result in an addiction to sex, perverted desires, serious marital disharmony, and even divorce. (Romans 1:24-27; Ephesians 4:19) A researcher likens sex addiction to cancer. "It keeps growing and spreading," he says. "It rarely ever reverses itself, and it is also very difficult to treat and heal."

    [Footnote]
    Masturbation is discussed in the Appendix, pages 218-19.

    [Footnote]
    "Pornography," as used here, refers to the depiction in pictures, in writing, or by voice of erotic material that is intended to cause sexual excitement. Pornography may range from a picture of a person in an erotic pose to depictions of sexual acts of the most sordid kind between two or more individuals.

    "A researcher likens sex addiction to cancer..." Which researcher and where - how are we sure the WTS has not quoted him out of context?
    Q10. In what ways can we apply the principle found at James 1:14, 15? (See also the box on page 101.)10 Consider the words recorded at James 1:14, 15, which reads: "Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has been accomplished, brings forth death." So if a bad desire enters your mind, take immediate action to get rid of it! For example, if you inadvertently see erotic images, quickly look away, or turn off the computer, or change the TV channel. Do whatever is necessary to avoid succumbing to immoral desire before it races out of control and overcomes you!-Matthew 5:29, 30.

    [Box on page 101]
    FINDING THE STRENGTH TO BE MORALLY CLEAN
    "While in my teens, I became trapped in a cycle of viewing pornography and masturbating," says a young man. "My peers at school considered such conduct a normal part of adolescence. But it damaged my conscience, and I was drawn into a life of immorality. I eventually realized that I was just a slave to my desires. However, I was able to overcome my unclean habits with help from Jehovah and the congregation. Now I am careful about whom I associate with, since I know that others can have a big influence on me. I have found that regular prayer and personal Bible study are essential to keep me from falling back into bad habits. Instead of being a slave to fleshly desires, I now have the privilege of serving as a regular pioneer."

    So association with the spiritual elite in the congregation and keeping up with the WTS treadmill of worship is being encouraged here together with the "privilege of serving as a regular pioneer"?

    Q11. When fighting wrong desires, how can we demonstrate our trust in Jehovah?11 For good reason, the One who knows us better than we know ourselves exhorts: "Deaden, therefore, your body members that are upon the earth as respects fornication, uncleanness, sexual appetite, hurtful desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5) True, doing so may be a challenge. But remember, we have a loving and patient heavenly Father to call upon. (Psalm 68:19) So turn quickly to him when wrong thoughts enter your mind. Pray for "power beyond what is normal," and force your mind to focus on other matters.-2 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 9:27; see the box "How Can I Break a Bad Habit?" on page 104.

    "...heavenly Father" used here but the WTS has repeatedly stated in print that the great crowd are friends of God not sons

    [Box/Picture on page 104]
    HOW CAN I BREAK A BAD HABIT?

    Principle: "O you lovers of Jehovah, hate what is bad."-Psalm 97:10.

    Some questions to ask yourself
    ? Am I avoiding situations that might stimulate wrong desires?-Matthew 5:27, 28.
    ? Do I meditate on the consequences of acting on wrong desires?-Proverbs 22:3.
    ? What type of decisive action am I willing to take to overcome my bad habit?-Matthew 5:29, 30.
    ? Am I prepared to talk to a parent or a spiritually mature friend about my problem?-Proverbs 1:8, 9; Galatians 6:1, 2.
    ? How can I demonstrate that I rely on Jehovah's strength and wisdom to gain the victory?-Proverbs 3:5, 6; James 1:5.

    Q12. What is our "heart," and why must we safeguard it?12 The wise man Solomon wrote: "More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart, for out of it are the sources of life." (Proverbs 4:23) Our "heart" is our inner self, what we really are as a person in God's eyes. Moreover, it is God's estimation of our "heart"-not what we may appear to be in the eyes of others-that determines whether we receive everlasting life or not. It is that simple. It is also that serious. So that he would not look indecently at a woman, faithful Job made a covenant, or formal agreement, with his eyes. (Job 31:1) What a fine example for us! Showing the same mind, a psalmist prayed: "Make my eyes pass on from seeing what is worthless."-Psalm 119:37.

    "Our "heart" is our inner self, what we really are as a person in God's eyes." The Watchtower's Incredible Ignorance About the Human Body http://corior.blogspot.com/2006/02/watchtowers-incredible-ignorance-about.html

  • blondie
  • WTWizard
    WTWizard

    This is where Paul, the Old Testament, Jehovah, and the Washtowel all have it wrong. "Fornication" is not necessarily immoral, or always bad--any more than test driving a car you intend to purchase is. If couples that are nearing marriage do fornication, and find out that they are not compatible, they can cut short the engagement and save themselves decades of abuse, lovelessness, and being trapped in something they are not suitable for. Nothing wrong with that.

    On top of that, the Washtowel uses this as a cornerstone for all sorts of other rules designed to prevent children (and adults) from having any fun. Such innocent activities like disco skating, having gatherings, and those congregation picnics I remember before 1994 were all done away with on this flimsy pretext. Children are not allowed to go to proms, stay with friends for the night, go on class and field trips, or play sports on this pretext--all intended to free up time for field circus instead. Couples that are seriously looking at marriage have to go through hurdles intended to prevent it, and they are never left alone. Even riding with a "sister" from a boasting session is prohibited on this pretext. Yet hounders are allowed to hound children alone, molest them, and threaten the victims with disfellowshipping for "slander" if they report it.

    With all this discussion about this fake "moral uncleanness" (to which children are supposed to listen, where they are a prime offender in making sex look unclean), they fail to say a word about real moral uncleanness. Real moral uncleanness is simply doing what is bad for self and/or society and refraining from doing what is good for self and/or society, and ascribing any sort of virtue for doing so. The witlesses waste hours and hours going door to door (and wasting householders' time as well), ascribing virtue to it. They shun material things that could benefit themselves and/or society, they shun education, they shun fun--while ascribing virtue to this sacrifice. And they initiate fraud by telling lies about the Paradise and that examining one's religion is good for the public while telling a different story to members already in--and claim that doing so is virtuous (which always makes it more serious).

    This all fit in with the witlesses' plan for me (at least for the next several years). Celibacy. Studying with men. Being with men all the time. Stupid reasons on what loving God's law means. Finding comfort in embellished and/or false experiences designed to get God out of providing the real things I need now. I'm surprised the hounders, upon preparing for this, didn't make an all-out effort to recapture me right on the spot to make sure I attended this boasting session and got my assignments (which they might yet do now that they got all this information, and feel that it is appropriate in lieu of ever letting me attract the opposite sex, to forgo trying out a relationship with the opposite sex immorality. And to concentrate on just meeting men for the next several years while awaiting my real assignment: the Value Destroyer Training School.

  • insearchoftruth
    insearchoftruth

    Thanks again for sharing this with us Lukewarm.....

    Here is the text from the TMS notebook for this week.......

    No. 3: Where to Find Comfort (lr chap. 31)

    DO YOU ever feel sad and lonely?— Do you ever wonder if anybody loves you?— Some children do. But God promises: “Imyselfshallnotforgetyou.” (Isaiah 49:15) Isn’t that wonderful to think about?— Yes, Jehovah God really does love us!

    One Bible writer said: “In case my own father and my own mother did leave me, even Jehovah himself would take me up.” (Psalm 27:10) Knowing that can be a real comfort to us, can’t it?— Yes, Jehovah tells us: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. . . . Iwillreallyhelpyou.”—Isaiah 41:10.

    Sometimes, though, Jehovah lets Satan make trouble for us. Jehovah even lets Satan test His servants. The Devil once made Jesus suffer so much that Jesus cried out to Jehovah: ‘My God, my God, why have you left me?’ (Matthew 27:46) Even though Jesus was suffering, he still knew that Jehovah loved him. (John 10:17) But Jesus also knew that God lets Satan test His servants and allows Satan to cause them to suffer. In another chapter we will explain why God lets Satan do this.

    When we are little, it is hard not to be afraid sometimes. For example, have you ever been lost?— Were you scared?— Many children would be. The Great Teacher once told a story about one that was lost. But it was not a child who was lost. It was a sheep.

    In some ways you are like a sheep. How is that? Well, sheep are not very big or strong. And they need someone to take care of them and to protect them. The man who takes care of sheep is called a shepherd.

    In his story Jesus told about a shepherd who had a hundred sheep. But then one of the sheep got lost. It may have wanted to see what was on the other side of the hill. But before long, that sheep was far away from the others. Can you imagine how that sheep felt when it looked around and saw that it was all alone?—

    What would the shepherd do when he found that the one sheep was missing? Would he say that this was all the sheep’s fault anyway so he wasn’t going to worry about it? Or would he leave the 99 sheep in a safe place and go looking for just the one? Would one sheep be worth that much trouble?— If you were that lost sheep, would you want the shepherd to look for you?—

    The shepherd loved all his sheep very much, even the one that was lost. So he went in search of the missing one. Think of how glad that lost sheep was when it saw the shepherd coming! And Jesus said that the shepherd rejoiced that he had found his sheep. He rejoiced over it more than over the 99 sheep that had not got lost. Now, who is like that shepherd in Jesus’ story? Who cares for us as much as that shepherd did for his sheep?— Jesus said that his Father in heaven does. And his Father is Jehovah.

    Jehovah God is the Great Shepherd of his people. He loves all of those who serve him, including young ones like you. He does not want any of us to be hurt or destroyed. Surely it is wonderful to know that God cares for us that much!—Matthew 18:12-14.

    Do you really believe in Jehovah God?— Is he a real person to you?— It is true that we cannot see Jehovah. This is because he is a Spirit. He has a body that is invisible to our eyes. But he is a real person, and he can see us. He knows when we need help. And we can talk to him in prayer, just as we talk to another person on earth. Jehovah wants us to do this.

    So if you ever feel sad or all alone, what should you do?— Talk to Jehovah. Draw close to him, and he will comfort and help you. Remember that Jehovah loves you, even when you feel as if you are all alone. Let’s get our Bible. Here in Psalm 23, we are told, beginning at verse 1: “Jehovah is my Shepherd. I shall lack nothing. In grassy pastures he makes me lie down; by well-watered resting-places he conducts me.”

    Notice what the writer adds, in verse 4: “Even though I walk in the valley of deep shadow, I fear nothing bad, for you are with me; your rod and your staff are the things that comfort me.” That’s the way people feel if their God is Jehovah. They find comfort when they are in trouble. Is that the way you feel?—

    As a loving shepherd takes care of his flock, so Jehovah takes good care of his people. He shows them the right way to go, and they gladly follow him. Even when there is trouble all around them, they do not need to be afraid. A shepherd uses his rod or his staff to protect the sheep from animals that might harm them. The Bible tells about how the young shepherd David protected his sheep from a lion and a bear. (1 Samuel 17:34-36) And God’s people know that Jehovah will protect them too. They can feel safe because God is with them.

    Jehovah really loves his sheep, and he tenderly cares for them. The Bible says: ‘Like a shepherd he will lead his own sheep. With his arms he will collect the little ones together. The young ones he will help along with care.’—Isaiah 40:11.

    Doesn’t it make you feel good to know that Jehovah is like that?— Do you want to be one of his sheep?— Sheep listen to the voice of their shepherd. They stay close to him. Do you listen to Jehovah?— Do you stay close to him?— Then you never need to be afraid. Jehovah will be with you.

    Jehovah lovingly cares for those who serve him. Let’s read together what the Bible says about this, at Psalm 37:25 (36:25, “Dy”); 55:22 (54:23, “Dy”); and Luke 12:29-31.

  • Butterflyleia85
    Butterflyleia85

    "A researcher likens sex addiction to cancer..." Which researcher and where - how are we sure the WTS has not quoted him out of context?

    So so true they always do this in publications. It really gets on my nerves they quote or say certain things without detailed source information!!!

  • straightshooter
    straightshooter

    Lukewarm, thanks for sharing your comments. It is extremely sad how the WTS continually makes quotes that the readers accept as always factual.

    Yet as Butterflyleia85 brought out the source information is not provided. Hence how can a person easily research this information.

  • Billy the Ex-Bethelite
    Billy the Ex-Bethelite

    Thanks Lukewarm!

    Interesting that the Watchtower's lure of "perfect life in paradise forever... soon" is still reeling a few in. But the net of the "spiritual paradise" isn't enough to keep all of them in. Thousands every year realize it's a sham and that the "holy spirit" coming from Brooklyn isn't enough to keep them entrapped. While the Corporation would warn others that jumping back into the ocean will result in "spiritual death", in reality, it represents freedom from a money-grabbing, order-giving, bunch of old farts.

    Here's an odd one...

    Para. 5: "...important lessons for God's people today, who stand at the threshold of a far greater promised land."

    Para. 6: "Can you see your prize-the long-awaited new world-on the horizon?"

    So, which is it? Is mankind at the threshold or is paradise way off at the horizon?

    The "threshold" is right here and now. We're there. Has the Great Tribulation started?

    However, if it's on the horizon, guess what? The horizon isn't getting any closer to me as time passes. To the contrary, where I live it would take me a long time to walk to where I see the horizon... and guess what? Hey, the horizon isn't HERE, now it's way over there even further away!

    The dubs are on a forced march through the desert toward a paradise oasis on the horizon. "Look up ahead! It's the great oasis!" As they get nearer, the mirage fades, the oasis isn't there. But not to worry, the leader now points over to the side and says: "Look over there! That's certainly the real oasis this time! We're almost there!" And so they drag on, year after year. Some perish. Some actually see other caravans with travellers that know where they're going and follow them to find real homes and stop chasing after mirages.

    Another point also in para. 5:

    "And in imitation of Zimri, who boldly paraded a Midianite woman right into the Israelite camp to his own tent, some who associate with God's people today have become a corrupting influence within the Christian congregation."

    Ah yes, dubs need to be on guard against "worldly" people, but also be suspicious of everyone inside the congregation as a possible "corrupting influence". The District Crapvention drama this year included a character who was a dub that led the "prodigal" into dangerous waters. That "bad association" dub even had the nerve to point out that JWs have been talking about armageddon coming soon FOR YEARS, THEIR WHOLE LIVES. Of course, that was painted as a wicked lie in the drama. In truth, Watchtower has been leading unfortunate believers through the desert chasing after mirages for over 100 years.

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