COMMENTS YOU WILL NOT HEAR AT THE 9-7-03 WT STUDY Reviewer comments are in black and parentheses ()
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red and quotes ""Quotes from other WT publications are in
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JEHOVAH, THE GODOF TRUTH
"You have redeemed me, O Jehovah the God of truth.--Psalm 31:5. (NWT)I've put my life in your hands. You won't drop me, you'll never let me down.—Psalm 31:5 (MSG)
You are faithful, and I trust you because you rescued me.—Psalm 31:5 (CEV)Opening Comments
What comes to mind when you think of God being truthful? Has God lied to us or have humans saying they represent God, lied to us? That could be a review in itself. Has God ever said that lying is acceptable under any circumstances? Or is that the twisted logic of the WTS?
Insight Book Volume 2
p. 244 LIEThe opposite of truth. Lying generally involves saying something false to a person who is entitled to know the truth and doing so with the intent to deceive or to injure him or another person.
Notice the qualifier "entitled to know the truth." And by whose judgment, God’s or humans. How do humans know whom God considers worthy of the truth? The WTS continues:
Jehovah God cannot lie (Nu 23:19; Heb 6:13-18), and he hates "a false tongue." (Pr 6:16-19) His law to the Israelites required compensation for injuries resulting from deception or malicious lying. (Le 6:2-7; 19:11, 12) And a person presenting false testimony was to receive the punishment that he desired to inflict upon another by means of his lies. (De 19:15-21).
Let’s look at one of these scriptures and see if the qualifier is present.
Proverbs
6:16-19
16
There are six things that Jehovah does hate; yes, seven are things detestable to his soul: 17 lofty eyes, a false tongue (against those entitled to know the truth?), and hands that are shedding innocent blood, 18 a heart fabricating hurtful schemes, feet that are in a hurry to run to badness, 19 a false witness that launches forth lies (against those entitled to know the truth), and anyone sending forth contentions among brothers (against those entitled to know the truth).Oh, yes, I added that phrase and by implying that phrase is there, the WTS adds to the Bible. And the WTS continues further altering the scriptures.
While malicious lying is definitely condemned in the Bible, this does not mean that a person is under obligation to divulge truthful information to people who are not entitled to it. Jesus Christ counseled: "Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine
(my motto when it comes to talking to elders ), that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open." (Mt 7:6) That is why Jesus on certain occasions refrained from giving full information or direct answers to certain questions when doing so could have brought unnecessary harm. (Mt 15:1-6; 21:23-27; John 7:3-10)Note this qualifying statement in 2000:
2/8/00 Awake p. 21 Lying—Is
It Ever Justified? Of course, being truthful does not mean that we are obligated to divulge all information to anyone who asks it of us…Jesus did not always disclose the full truth, especially when revealing all the facts could have brought unnecessary harm to himself or his disciples. Still, even at such times, he did not lie. Instead, he chose either to say nothing or to divert the conversation in another direction.—Matthew 15:1-6; 21:23-27; John 7:3-10. Return to Insight Book : Evidently (this is always a clue that the WTS is going to "expand" on the Bible account) the course of Abraham, Isaac, Rahab, and Elisha in misdirecting or in withholding full facts from nonworshipers of Jehovah must be viewed in the same light.—Ge 12:10-19; chap 20; 26:1-10; Joshua 2:1-6; James 2:25; 2Ki 6:11-23. How did Abraham "lie"? Remember he represented his wife as his sister. Isaac imitated his father in the same way. In Abraham’s case Sarah was his half-sister. So he was could be said to have withheld the full facts. But Rebekah wasn’t Isaac’s half-sister. Does all this sound familiar? If you have been reading the day’s text it should.8/15/01 WT p. 20 "Please say you are my sister, in order that it may go well with me on your account, and my soul will be certain to live due to you.’"Since Abram was still childless, it was critical that he remain alive. (Obviously, he had not trusted in God’s ability to keep him alive if he felt he had to have his wife lie to protect himself.) Sarai could say that she was Abram’s sister because she really was his half sister. (Genesis 20:12) Furthermore, he was not under obligation to divulge information to people who were not entitled to it. (Matthew 7:6) Faithful servants of God in modern times heed the Bible’s command to be honest. (Hebrews 13:18) They would never, for instance, lie under oath in a court of law. (evidently here the rule of entitlement to the truth does not apply).And what of Isaac, Rebekah was a cousin but not his sister. How does the WTS weasel out of this one?
3/1/85 WT p. 31 Questions From Readers
Isaac followed a similar course with Rebekah. Since Isaac and Rebekah were related, he could call her his sister.Still, many have been critical of his (and Isaac’s) representing his wife as his sister. Of course, we must not forget that the Bible sometimes relates events without approving of the conduct involved. (Genesis 9:20, 21; 19:30-38)
Keep in mind this qualified viewpoint of lying when considering this week’s and next week’s articles.
START OF ARTICLE THERE was a time when there was no untruth...no falsehood, no deception .Jehovah created the first man and woman, and through his appointed channel, he always communicated with them in a clear, straightforward, and truthful manner .Yes, the WTS teaches that Jesus as the Word/Logos actually communicated with Adam and Eve, not God directly. Try to prove that one from the Bible.
6/15/98 WT p. 23Thus, when Jehovah spoke to Adam, and later when he addressed Adam together with Eve, he likely (another addition to the Bible to follow) did so through the Word. And who better to convey God’s instructions for mankind’s welfare than one who had a fondness for them?8/1/95 WT p. 13Although Jehovah could have spoken directly to his perfect human son, Adam, in the garden of Eden, likely he used the prehuman Jesus to speak for Him.9/15/91 WT p. 9The first man, Adam, had no doubt about the existence of Jehovah God. God had communicated with Adam, most likely through His Son, the Word.Eventually, however, a spirit son of God brazenly set out to establish himself as a rival god, opposing Jehovah . This spirit creature, who became known as Satan the Devil, wanted others to worship him.To achieve his goal, he introduced untruth as a means to bring others under his control. In so doing, he became both "a liar and the father of the lie."-John 8:44.
So lying is a means of controlling others…hmmmm.
Though Eve had never before been lied to, she must have (another addition to the scriptures) recognized that what she heard from the serpent was not in harmony with what God had told her husband, Adam.Thoroughly deceived, she took the fruit and ate. Later, Adam also ate of the fruit. (Genesis 3:1-6) Like Eve, Adam had never before heard a lie, yet he was not deceived.
What does it mean to be deceived?
Text: to lead astray or frustrate by underhandedness deceives the public> Synonyms beguile, betray, bluff, bunk, cozen, delude, double-cross, four-flush, humbug, illude, juggle, mislead, mock, sell out, suck in, take in, two-timeRelated Word cheat, defraud, do, overreach; circumvent, outwit; bamboozle, befool, dupe, gull, hoax, hoodwink, spoof, trick, victimize; throw off
Idioms pull one's leg, pull the wool over one's eyes, put something over (or across), take for a ride, take into camp, throw off the scent (or track) Does this sound like Eve should be held responsible? What about Adam? He was pretty new on the block too. Was he up to the shenanigans of a creature that had to be millions of years old like the other angels are purported to be by the WTS? When it was said from dust you are and to dust you will return, did that mean only eternal destruction or resurrection at a later time? Notice that Adam and Eve didn’t even live 1,000 years but Satan has lived almost 6,000 years since then. Well, that too is another long topic. To avoid being misled by Satan the Devil, we must have complete confidence in the truthfulness of Jehovah and his Word (do you see "and in his organization implied here?) How can you develop and strengthen your trust in Jehovah and fortify yourself against the deception and lies promoted by his Adversary?Jehovah Knows the TruthSince Jehovah is the Creator, he knows the truth about everything. To illustrate: Consider a man who designs and then builds his own house, laying every timber and driving every nail. He will know that house inside and out and will possess an understanding of it greater than that of any observer.
How little we know in comparison!
And let the WTS remember that!
Since Jehovah created us, it follows that he knows us well . "For there is not a word on my tongue, but, look! O Jehovah, you already know it all." (Psalm 139:1-4) David, of course, realized that humans exercise free will--God has given us the capacity either to obey or to disobey him. (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20; Joshua 24:15) Nevertheless, Jehovah knows us far better than we know ourselves. He wants what is best for us, and he is in a position to direct our ways (through the scriptures not the elders or WTS/GB.)But does the WTS think we can understand the Bible without them?
10/1/94 WT p. 8 All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah’s channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.Jehovah Is TruthfulIt is one thing to know the truth, but it is quite another always to tell the truth, to be truthful . Truthfulness is an important part of God's personality. We can rely on and trust in Jehovah because he is truthful; he never deceives his loyal ones.So if God is not lying to us, then the WTS must be lying to us when the end did not come in 1914, 1925 or 1975.
http://quotes.jehovahswitnesses.com/
This identifies Jehovah as the one who progressively becomes the Fulfiller of all that he promises.There’s another key word, "progressively." Remember Proverbs 4:18 the explanation of all the WTS failures in "prophesying."
Not only is Jehovah truthful but he alone has the power and the wisdom to make all that he says come true. (so you can only tell the truth if you have the power to make it come true?)Joshua experienced the fulfillment of Jehovah's promises. Though you have not witnessed the miracles Joshua did, have you experienced the truthfulness of God's promises in your lifetime?That’s right the end came in 1975 and we have been living in a literal paradise on earth every since.!?
Jehovah Reveals the Truth Imagine a parent who has vast knowledge but who rarely speaks to his children. Are you not thankful that Jehovah is not like that?No but he only talks to us through the WTS per the WTS. That would be like Dad only talking to us through our big brother.
In his loving-kindness, he reaches out even to those who are not inclined to listen to him.If you find yourself in a challenging preaching assignment and you rely on God, you may be confident that he will strengthen you just as he did his prophet Ezekiel.Jehovah desires that "all sorts of men ... be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) He has spoken through prophets, through angels, and even through his beloved Son, Jesus Christ (but not through the WTS).
But it doesn’t matter if every person gets a witness. It will still be down to Gehenna with them. (see last week’s review)
Jehovah has preserved the truth by means of the Bible and has made it available to people everywhere.But you are more likely to get the truth if you read the New World Translation.
11/1/85 WT p. 29No other Bible translation gives this rightful place to Jehovah’s name. That alone makes the New World Translation superior to all others. Kingdom Ministry 11/96 p. 2 Using pages 327-31 in the "All Scripture" book, show the superiority of the New World Translation: It upholds and magnifies the divine name (paragraphs 1-2); its improved renderings make the text more understandable (paragraph 6); it is a powerful instrument for use in the ministry (paragraphs 22-3).It is a precious gift to humankind, one that God's servants treasure. We are wise to read it daily (and we are unwise and "weak" if we don’t).Hold Fast to the TruthWe should take seriously what Jehovah tells us in his Word (but only as expounded on by the WTS).We may also take Jehovah at his word when he says that he loves those who pursue righteousness, when he says that he will grant everlasting life to those who exercise faith, and when he says that he will eliminate pain, outcry; and even death.
But only righteousness as defined by the WTS, a list that grows longer every year. And what makes the faithful hang on? The promise of everlasting life, the motivator of most JWs, not the vindication of God’s sovereignty and sanctification of his name as the WTS says.
Satan is the exact opposite of Jehovah. Rather than enlighten, he deceives. To achieve his aim to turn people away from pure worship, Satan promotes an array of lies (only theocratic warfare). For example, Satan would have us believe that God is emotionally distant and insensitive to the suffering on earth.Based on those self-proclaimed representatives of God, the elders, COs, DOs, and GB and how they treat the sheep, I would think that they are in league with Satan trying to have us believe that God is as emotionally distant and insensitive as they are.
Jehovah Requires "Faith Without Hypocrisy"Because he is truthful in all his ways, Jehovah expects those who worship him to be truthful also.Well then, the WTS is not worshiping God because they are not being truthful. If we think of 1 John 4:20,21 the WTS is lying when they say they love God.
1 John 4:20,21 (MSG)20 If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won't love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can't see? 21 The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You've got to love both.
"speaking the truth in his heart"
What is in "their" heart?
Anyone who wants Jehovah's friendship must speak the truth "in his heart," not merely with his lips. True friends of God must be honest of heart and must give evidence of "faith without hypocrisy," for acts of truthfulness come from the heart. (1 Timothy 1:5; Matthew 12:34,35) A friend of God is not devious or deceptive, for "a man of... deception Jehovah detests." (Psalm 5:6) Jehovah's Witnesses throughout the earth work hard at being truthful in imitation of their God. The next article will examine this subject. Concluding CommentsIf the devil is the father of the lie, who did Jesus say were from their father the devil?
What did Jesus say about the Pharisees?
Matthew 23:1-423 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying: 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses. 3 Therefore all the things they tell YOU, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform. 4 They bind up heavy loads and put them upon the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.How did the Pharisees lie?
Didn’t they keep information from the common people because the felt they weren’t entitled to it?
Didn’t they add to the word of God making it invalid?
Matthew 15:1-3 Then there came to Jesus from Jerusalem Pharisees and scribes, saying: 2 "Why is it your disciples overstep the tradition of the men of former times? For example, they do not wash their hands when about to eat a meal." 3 In reply he said to them: "Why is it YOU also overstep the commandment of God because of YOUR tradition?Didn’t they label the truths Christ taught and the things he did as being from the devil?
Matthew 9:34 But the Pharisees began to say: "It is by the ruler of the demons that he expels the demons." Didn’t they conceal the fact that they knew Jesus was the Messiah because they were afraid of losing their place in their man-made organization?
Who said the heavenly hope is only for a few?
Matthew 23:13 "Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU shut up the kingdom of the heavens before men; for YOU yourselves do not go in, neither do YOU permit those on their way in to go in.Who strain out the gnat of wearing beards and gulp down the camel of child abuse?
Matthew 23:23-24 23 "Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU give the tenth of the mint and the dill and the cumin, but YOU have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law, namely, justice and mercy and faithfulness. These things it was binding to do, yet not to disregard the other things. 24 Blind guides, who strain out the gnat but gulp down the camel!The Pharisees stoned Stephen as an apostate heretic just like their forefathers killed the prophets. Would the WTS stone you today?
11/15/52 WT p. 703 We are not living today among theocratic nations where such members of our fleshly family relationship could be exterminated for apostasy from God and his theocratic organization, as was possible and was ordered in the nation of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai and in the land of Palestine. "Thou shalt surely kill him; thy hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him to death with stones, because he hath sought to draw thee away from Jehovah thy God, . . . And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is in the midst of thee."—Deut. 13:6-11, AS.Being limited by the laws of the worldly nation in which we live and also by the laws of God through Jesus Christ, we can take action against apostates only to a certain extent, that is, consistent with both sets of laws. The law of the land and God’s law through Christ forbid us to kill apostates, even though they be members of our own flesh-and-blood family relationship .Matthew 23:29-32 29 "Woe to YOU, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because YOU build the graves of the prophets and decorate the memorial tombs of the righteous ones, 30 and YOU say, ‘If we were in the days of our forefathers, we would not be sharers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ 31 Therefore YOU are bearing witness against yourselves that YOU are sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Well, then, fill up the measure of YOUR forefathers.Who said that we must not associate with sinners? Not eat with them:
Matthew 9:11-1311 But on seeing this the Pharisees began to say to his disciples: "Why is it that YOUR teacher eats with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 Hearing [them], he said: "Persons in health do not need a physician, but the ailing do. 13 Go, then, and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came to call, not righteous people, but sinners."I’m sure you can think of many other similarities between the Pharisees/scribes and the elders of today. For a change of pace, some quotes about truth.
Half a truth is often a great lie. Benjamin Franklin
How many will listen to the truth when you tell them? Yiddish Proverb
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is one thing to show a man that he is in an error, and another to put him in possession of truth. John Locke
Blondie