Comments You Will Not Hear at the 03-28-04 WT Study Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blueMAINTAIN CHASTITY BY SAFEGUARDING YOUR HEART
"More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart, for out of it are the sources of life."?Proverbs 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.
?Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)
www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bibleOpening Comments
CHASTITY?What do you think of when you see this word? Actually, it comes from a word meaning clean and pure. How can an organization that hides and protects pedophiles preach chastity to their members? What about the chastity stolen from those children? Why can they report wrongdoers in states with laws that require it but not in states that do not require it? Is chastity regulated by secular law? Now that abortion is legal in all 50 states, does the WTS allow it?
***Silentlambs Summit, March 27-28, 2004, Nashville, Tennessee (see website for details)***
START OF ARTICLE
The painting may have seemed old-fashioned. Perhaps it did not fit in with the décor of the house. At any rate, the owner evidently had little use for it. The picture wound up at a rummage sale, bearing a price tag of 29 dollars (U.S.) A few years later, though, it was found to be worth nearly a million dollars! Yes, it turned out to be a rare masterpiece. Imagine the feelings of the former owner, who had undervalued this treasure!
What a weak illustration, comparing people to an inanimate object like a painting. All surface and no depth, people are more than a frame, canvas and some paint. "Evidently?..[the owner] had little use for it." Why couldn?t the owner just have not been an art expert. A few of Van Gogh?s paintings ended up in the stable?before he became famous. I?m sure the people who didn?t buy his paintings could kick themselves later when they were worth millions.
2 Something similar often happens with chastity, an individual?s moral cleanness, or purity. All too many people today put a low value on their own
chastity (and in the case of the WTS on the chastity of children) . Some regard it as an old-fashioned notion, one that does not fit in with a modern life-style. Thus, they give it up for a small return. Some trade in their chastity for a few moments of sexual gratification. Others sacrifice it in hopes of acquiring greater standing in the eyes of their peers or a member of the opposite sex.?Proverbs 13:20.I will say that things have changed since I went to high school. I personally believe that sex is for those who are more mature emotionally and ready financially to accept the responsibilities that sexual activity brings. I have been concerned too about the lack of knowledge among young and older people regarding birth control and protection against STDs. I have worked with a statewide program that addresses these issues. But I have also come to know that there are many young people who are not trading "in their chastity for a few moments of sexual gratification," the majority in fact. I also know that chastity among JW teenagers was not any different that that of their peers. I can remember the out-of-wedlock pregnancies and the whispers among my teenage JW generation. But the spectre of AIDS was not in my generation.
3 Many discover too late just how valuable a possession their chastity really was. Their loss is often tragic. As the Bible puts it, the aftereffects of immorality can be like poison, "as bitter as wormwood." (Proverbs 5:3,4) In view of today?s corrupt moral climate, how can you cherish and maintain your chastity? We will focus on three related steps we can take.
It is important to remember that the WTS itself has said that the primary reason for disfellowshipping is adultery, yes, sex by adults with adults they are not married to. What is the moral climate like in the KH? A haven for pedophiles, who prey on children. This article is not just random. The "moral climate" is deteriorating in the KH; a place where you must only tell the truth to those who are "entitled" to it; where pedophiles will only be reported to the secular authorities if Caesar?s law requires it; where innocent mates cannot divorce philandering mates because the must have 2 eyewitnesses; where the WTS would DF a member for joining the military but the WTS can "associate" with the UN as a nongovernmental organization and excuse themselves as merely using the library.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2919/wtun.htmlSafeguard Your Heart
4 The key to maintaining chastity is to safeguard the heart. The Bible says: "More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart, for out of it are the sources of life." (Proverbs 4:23) What is "your heart," referred to here? It is not the literal organ. This heart is figurative. It refers to the person you are inside, including your thoughts, feelings, and motivations. The Bible says: "You must love Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your vital force." (Deuteronomy 6:5) Jesus referred to this commandment as the greatest of all. (Mark 12:29,30) Clearly, this heart of ours is of enormous value. It is worth safeguarding.
Did you know that once the WTS taught it was the LITERAL heart referred to here? (Attn: Flip-flop doctrine)
w70
10/1 p. 603 Grand Blessings of the "Men of Goodwill" AssembliesAlso focusing attention on the heart was the edifying talk "Serving Jehovah with a Complete Heart." When the Bible refers to the heart, it was explained, the literal heart and not the mind or a figurative heart is meant. So, as the Bible says, the heart, yes, one?s literal heart, can impel and incite.
(Ex. 35:21, 26, 29) How vital it is, therefore, that we guard the heart by always filling it with good impressions!w71
3/1 p. 134 How Is Your Heart?With but few exceptions, the use of the word "heart" in the Bible is limited to the operations of the heart of man as the powerhouse of one?s desires, emotions and affections, the place that comes to include the capacities for motivation. The Bible does not speak of a symbolic or spiritual heart in contradistinction to the fleshly or literal heart, just as it does not speak of a symbolic mind, and thus we do not want to make the mistake of viewing the literal heart as merely a fleshly pump as does orthodox physiology today. Most psychiatrists and psychologists tend to overcategorize the mind and allow for little if any influence from the fleshly heart, looking upon the word "heart" merely as a figure of speech apart from its use in identifying the organ that pumps our blood.
Also why does the WTS quote the scripture in the Old Testament but not the scripture in the New Testament regarding loving God with our heart? Is it perhaps because "Jehovah" can be used?
5 However, the Bible also says that "the heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate."" (Jeremiah 17:9) How can the heart be treacherous?a danger to us?
Well, an automobile, for example is a valuable tool, even a lifesaver in an emergency. But if the driver does not control the car, constantly guiding the steering wheel, that same car may easily become a deadly weapon.
So once again, we are being compared to an inanimate object.
Similarly, unless you safeguard your heart, you will be at the mercy of your every inner desire and impulse, and your life course will veer into disaster. God?s Word says: "He that is trusting in his own heart is stupid, but he that is walking in wisdom is the one that will escape." (Proverbs 28:26) Yes, you can walk in wisdom and escape disaster if you use God?s Word to guide you much as you would consult a road map before beginning a trip.?Psalm 119:105.
Can you read a map? I hope so. But the last couple of service meetings required detailed instruction for most JWs as how to use the map published by the WTS and released at last year?s district convention.
Can you read the Bible? Do you need detailed meetings to understand it? Evidently the WTS thinks so. In fact you cannot understand it at all without them.
w94 10/1 p 8 The Bible?A Book Meant to Be Understood ***
Even as Bible prophecy pointed forward to the Messiah, it also directs us to the close-knit body of anointed Christian Witnesses that now serve as the faithful and discreet slave. It helps us to understand the Word of God. 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.?John 6:68.6 Our heart will not naturally veer toward chastity. We must steer it that way. One way to do so is to contemplate the true value of chastity. This quality is closely related to holiness, which signifies cleanness, purity, separation from sinfulness. Holiness is a precious quality that is part of the very nature of Jehovah God. Hundreds of Bible verses associate that quality with Jehovah. In fact, the Bible says that "Holiness belongs to Jehovah." (Exodus 28:36) What, though does that lofty quality have to do with us imperfect humans? What to the unofficial WTS policies regarding reporting child abuse to secular authorities play in God?s holiness? Is he responsible for the WTS? legalistic view of things rather the moral view? 7 In his Word, Jehovah tells us: "You must be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16) Yes, we can imitate Jehovah?s holiness; we can be clean before him, maintaining our chastity. So when we refrain from unclean defiling acts, we are reaching out for a lofty thrilling privilege?that of reflecting a beautiful trait of the Most High God! (Ephesians 5:1) We should not assume that it is out of our reach to do so, for Jehovah is a wise and reasonable Master who never demands more of us that we are able to do. (Psalm 103:13, 14: James 3:17) What does God demand? Let?s take a page from the WTS book and look at Leviticus 5:1:Leviticus 5:1 "?Now in case a soul sins in that he has heard public cursing and he is a witness or he has seen it or has come to know of it, if he does not report it, then he must answer for his error. Did the Jews report this to a priest or to the secular authorities? What was "public cursing"? Let the WTS explain.w87 9/1 p. 13 "A Time to Speak"?When? *** This "public cursing" was not profanity or blasphemy. Rather, it often occurred when someone who had been wronged demanded that any potential witnesses help him to get justice, while calling down curses?likely from Jehovah?on the one, perhaps not yet identified, who had wronged him. It was a form of putting others under oath. Any witnesses of the wrong would know who had suffered an injustice and would have a responsibility to come forward to establish guilt. Otherwise, they would have to ?answer for their error? before Jehovah. Yes, God does not make unreasonable demands. But his self-appointed spokesmen do.km 5/01 p. 1 Share Fully in the Harvest Recognizing the urgency of today, many Kingdom workers have increased their share in this lifesaving activity. A teenager named Hirohisa lived in a single-parent home with four younger siblings. He supported his family by getting up at three o?clock in the morning to deliver newspapers. Even so, Hirohisa wanted to do more in the ministry, so he began regular pioneering. Are there ways that you could share more fully in this never-to-be-repeated work? km 8/01 p. 8 Do You Want to Do More ?Jesus likened the Kingdom to priceless treasures. (Matt. 13:44-46) The work of spreading the news of the Kingdom is also a valuable treasure. This ministry deserves top priority in our lives, even if having a full share in it involves a measure of self-denial. (Matt. 6:19-21) Do you want to do more in Kingdom service?A brother who had a full-time job and spent much time in sports activities was encouraged to become a regular pioneer. He began auxiliary pioneering and then adjusted his circumstances to enter the full-time ministry. He later attended the Ministerial Training School, which helped prepare him for his present assignment as a circuit overseer. He is very glad that he responded to the encouragement he received, and he is confident that he is much happier as a result of his decision to do more in Kingdom service. km 2/00 p. 1 "Women Who Are Working Hard in the Lord" *** Do we appreciate the sisters who work hard in our congregation? They do the bulk of the preaching work, conduct most of the Bible studies, and assist many of the new ones. They also spend considerable time in helping children to make spiritual progress. Christian women do their part in building up the spirit of love, joy, peace, and zeal in the congregation. They are supportive in many ways so that their husbands and other family members can do more in Jehovah?s service. km 5/99 p. 8 Ways to Expand Your Ministry Likely we can all share more fully in the ministry by improving the quality of our field service. Are you involved in all features of the work, including house-to-house and informal witnessing as well as the return visit and Bible study work? If you are conducting a study, can you improve your art of teaching? km 8/99 p. 3 Has the Door to Pioneering Now Opened for You? *** Today, Paul?s words take on greater urgency. Christians manifesting a heartfelt love for Jehovah count it a privilege to share as fully as possible in the ministry that he has assigned them. Are you now able to share more fully in the ministry as a regular pioneer? km 6/92 p. 3 Pioneering?An Expression of Love *** Love for Jehovah and for our fellowman is what moves us to participate more fully in the preaching activity. Our love for God and for people should make us willing to sacrifice some of our personal desires and comforts in order to express our love more fully. (Mark 12:33) Many of the things we acquire, and perhaps feel are normal, may be viewed as luxuries in other parts of the world. Granted, remaining spiritually and morally chaste requires effort. The apostle Paul noted, thought, that "sincerity and?chastity?are due the Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3) Do we not owe it to Christ and to his Father (our Father too?), to make very effort to keep morally chaste? After all, they have shown us more love than we can ever begin to repay. (John 3:16; 15:13) It is a privilege for us to express our gratitude by living a clean, moral life. By thinking of our chastity in this way, we will value it, safeguarding our heart. So what is in those ellipses in 2 Corinthians 11:3? Why did the WTS leave it out?2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent seduced Eve by its cunning, YOUR minds might be corrupted away from the sincerity and the chastity that are due the Christ. Was Paul talking about moral chastity? Did Eve sin morally; how was that possible since there was only her and Adam?2 Corinthians 11:1-2 11 I wish YOU would put up with me in some little unreasonableness. But, in fact, YOU are putting up with me! 2 For I am jealous over YOU with a godly jealousy, for I personally promised YOU in marriage to one husband that I might present YOU as a chaste virgin to the Christ.8 We also safeguard our heart by the way we feed ourselves (or are fed by the WTS as they are always saying). We need to nourish our mind and heart regularly with good spiritual food, keeping our focus on the good news of God?s kingdom. (Colossians 3:2)Even our conversation should reflect such a focus. If we are know for talking about fleshly, immoral subjects (shopping, sports, vacations, television shows, movies, etc, etc) we are revealing something about the condition of our heart. (Luke 6:45)
Let us be known rather, for talking about matters that are spiritual and upbuilding. (Ephesians 5:3) Test this out. Next Tuesday/Thursday see if the topics of conversation at the meeting have taken on a more spiritual note. To safeguard our heart, there are serious dangers we must avoid. Let us discuss two of these.Flee from FornicationJehovah inspired the apostle Paul to pen some counsel that has helped many to safeguard their heart and maintain chastity. Paul said: "Flee from fornication." (1 Corinthians 6:18) Note he went further than simply saying, "Avoid fornication." Christians (only JWs are true Christians according to the WTS) should do more. They should run away from such immoral acts, just as they would run from a life-threatening danger. If we ignore that counsel, we increase the likelihood of becoming involved in serious immorality and losing God?s favor. First, is there immorality that isn?t serious? David committed adultery, yet his son died and his wives were raped to punish David?.hmmmm? 10 To illustrate: A mother has washed and dressed her small boy in preparation for an important occasion. He asks if he can play outdoors before the family departs, and she agrees?on one condition. She says: "Don?t go anywhere near that puddle outside." Within minutes, though, she sees the boy teetering on his toes at the very edge of the puddle. He is not muddy?yet. Still, he is ignoring her warning not to go near the puddle, and trouble is almost sure to ensue. (Proverbs 22:15) Many youths and adults who should know better make a similar mistake. How so? Is this reference to a mother (the WTS) giving instructions to a son (JWs)? 11 In these times when so many have given in "to disgraceful sexual appetites," an entire industry has arisen around the promotion of illicit sexual relations. (Romans 1:26,27) Okay, the WTS does not quote these verses. Do you know what they say? Will the average JW look them up? Romans 1:26-27That is why God gave them up to disgraceful sexual appetites, for both their females changed the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature; 27 and likewise even the males left the natural use of the female and became violently inflamed in their lust toward one another, males with males, working what is obscene and receiving in themselves the full recompense, which was due for their error. The WTS uses this scripture to condemn homosexuality. Where is the mention of fornication and adultery? The pornography plague has proliferated in magazines, books, videos, and on the Internet. Those who choose to take such images into their mind are hardly fleeing from fornication. They are toying with it, teetering on the verge, disregarding the Bible?s warning. Instead of safeguarding the heart, they are poisoning it with vivid images that may take years to fade from memory. (Proverbs 6:27) Let us learn from faithful Job, who made a covenant?a formal agreement?with his own eyes, not to expose them to what would only tempt him to do wrong. (Job 31:1) Now, that is an example to follow! To make it short, I don?t like pornography. I don?t like how it degrades people. If a couple want to make a film of themselves for their own viewing, that is their business. But if they turn around and sell it?.well that is my opinion. Next point? 12 It is particularly vital to "flee from fornication" during courtship. That period should be a joyful time, full of hope and anticipation, but some young couples mar it by toying with immorality. In the process, they deprive each other of the best foundation for a good marriage?a relationship based on unselfish love, self-control, and obedience to Jehovah God. But, of course, Judah could have sex with a temple prostitute and he wasn?t punished. He was chosen to be the forefather of the Messiah instead. One Christian couple (don?t they mean JW couple?) engaged in immoral behavior during their courtship. After they married, the wife admitted that her conscience tormented her, evening ruining the joy of her wedding day. She confessed: "I have asked Jehovah?s forgiveness many times, but even though seven years passed since then, my conscience continues to accuse me." It is vital that those who commit such sins seek help from Christian elders. (James 5:14,15) Hey, what happened to the husband/groom? Didn?t his conscience bother him even seven years later? How come he was able to forgive himself? However, many Christian (JW) couples act wisely and avoid these dangers during courtship. (Proverbs 22:3) They limit their expressions of affection. They make use of chaperons and carefully avoid being alone together in isolated places. Personally, I feel there is a difference between "toying" during the dating period where no commitment has been made and after being engaged. Women, do you want to get that close physically with someone you aren?t sure you want to marry? Well, if you do, be sensible, use protective birth control. There is no point of taking a chance of dying because of having sex with someone you aren?t emotionally involved with. 13 Christians who enter into courtship with those who do not serve Jehovah are likely to face terrible challenges. Of course, Christians who enter into courtship with those who DO serve Jehovah are likely to face terrible challenges. Look around the KH; how many divorced couples do you see? Is marrying a JW a guarantee of a happy marriage? For example, could you join yourself to one who does not love Jehovah God? This implies that only JWs love God. It is vital that Christians yoke themselves only to those who love Jehovah and respect his standards of chastity. I do expect my husband to be faithful to me sexually and I have told him what I will do to him if he is not. Are they saying that only JWs are faithful to their mates? God?s Word tells us: "Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness?"?2 Corinthians 6:14. The WTS brands Christian (and non-Christian religions) as Babylon the Great, the harlot committing fornication with the kings of the earth by getting politically involved. The WTS associated itself with the UN as a non-governmental organization. How chaste was that?
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/2919/wtun.html http://www.sassquatch.com/SYN/UN_NGO_Letter/14 Knowledge is also essential. We cannot properly feel from fornication if we do not really know what it is. "Did you touch her breast once or twice." Some in today?s world have adopted a false idea as to the meaning of "fornication." They imagine that they can satisfy their sexual impulses outside of marriage as long as they refrain from actual intercourse. The WTS thinks they can benefit from their UN "association" as long as they refrain from actually joining. Even some respected health institutionsStop, stop, I want names.That seek to reduce the number of unwanted teenage pregnancies have encouraged youths to engage in deviant sexual behavior that does not result in pregnancy. Are they talking about sodomy and oral sex? I don?t think that these "respected health institutions" would encourage these practices and then put these young people at risk of contracting AIDS. Notice that the WTS does not identify what they consider "deviant sexual behavior." Why don?t they spit it out? Such advice is sadly misguided. What advice? Do they expect us to be mind readers? Avoiding pregnancy out of wedlock is not the same thing as maintaining chastity, and the real definition of "fornication" is not so limited or narrow.
15 The Greek word por.nei?.a, translated "fornication," has a fairly broad meaning.
It relates to sexual relations involving persons not married to each other and focuses on the misuse of sexual organs.
Porneia includes such acts as oral sex, anal sex, and masturbating another person?conduct commonly associated with houses of prostitution. Associated by whom? The average person? Bible scholars? Doctors? Who? People who think that such acts are not "fornication" are fooling themselves and have fallen victim to one of Satan?s snares. (2 Timothy 2:26) Of course, Lot having sex with his daughters was fine because there was not a law against it yet. Yet, Joseph is held up as an example because he did what was right, not have sex with another man?s wife, without a law. Furthermore, maintaining chastity means more than merely refraining from any act that constitutes fornication. To "flee from fornication," we must avoid all forms of sexual uncleanness and loose conduct that could lead to the gross sin of porneia. (Ephesians 4:19) In that way we maintain chastity. For further information on the sexual laws of the WTS see:
http://www.hedning.no/hedning/arkiv/jv/unit5a.htmSexual misconduct, including; adultery, fornication, and
other forms of "por.ne'a.." Uncleanness includes an intentional momentary touching
of sexual parts or caressing of breasts. ( I Thess. 4:7, 8;
1 Tim. 5:1,2) Such minor uncleanness can be handled at the discretion of an elder or two; it does not require a judicial
hearing.There is a need for strong counsel, admonition, and
assistance to help the individual to maintain chaste
conduct in the future. If not corrected, such conduct may escalate in gravity
and by frequent repetition become loose conduct. Loose conduct is a shocking, flagrant disregard for Jehovah's moral standards. (Gal. 5:19; w83 3/15 p. 31; w73
9/15 pp. 574-6)It may include the willful practice of heavy petting or
the fondling of breasts.
The nature, circumstances, and actual extent of what
has occurred may indicate loose conduct, which would
require judicial action.
Such practices can easily lead to por.nei´a.
"Por.nei´a" involves immoral use of the genitals of at leastone human (whether in a natural or a perverted way), and there must have been another party to the immorality?a
human of either sex or a beast; willing participation incurs
guilt and requires judicial action. It is not a casual touching of the sex organs between persons but involves the
manipulation of the genitals. (w83 6/1 pp. 23-6; w83
3/15 pp. 30-1)
It includes oral and anal sex or mutual masturbation between persons not married to each other, homosexuality, lesbianism, fornication, adultery, incest, and bestiality. (Lev. 20:10, 13, 15, 16; Rom. 1:24, 26, 27, 32;
1 Cor. 6:9, 10)
Also included are sexual abuse of children, including practices involving a catamite (a boy kept for purposes
of sexual perversion). (Deut. 23:17, 18, Ref.: Bi., ftns.)
**Please note that if a marriage mate had sex with a person of the same sex or a beast, it at one time did not constitute grounds for a scriptural divorce.
w72 1/1 p. 32 Questions from ReadersWhile both homosexuality and bestiality are disgusting perversions, in the case of neither one is the marriage tie broken. It is broken only by acts that make an individual "one flesh" with a person of the opposite sex other than his or her legal marriage mate.Avoid the Dangers of Flirting16 If we are to maintain our chastity, another danger we need to beware of is flirting. Some may insist that flirting is innocent, harmless fun between members of the opposite sex. Admittedly, there is a time and place for amorous behavior. Isaac and Rebekah were observed "having a good time" together, and it was evident to onlookers that they were not merely brother and sister. (Genesis 26:7-9)Of course, that would not have been a clue since Isaac?s father Abraham was married to his own half-sister Sarah. It is likely that Moses? father married his aunt. So I did get the point about "they were not merely brother and sister."
However, they were husband and wife. Expressions of affection between them were appropriate.Don?t be kissing your spouse at the KH or putting your arm around them during the meeting or the elders will be counseling you.
Flirting is another matter.17 Flirting may be defined this way: to signal romantic interest when there is no real intention to marry. Humans are complex creatures, so there are no doubt countless ways to flirt, some of them very subtle.Hard-and-fast rules, then cannot really address the matter. Rather, something more elevated is called for?honest self-examination and the conscientious application of Bible principles.
And the WTS/elders are going to be making a list of all of the countless ways. "Self-examination" with a little help from the WTS/elders. After all, we can?t read the Bible without their help.
18 If we are honest with ourselves, most of us will likely have to admit that when we sense that someone of the opposite sex has a romantic interest in us, we feel flattered. That is natural.But do we flirt in order to elicit such interest?just to give our ego a little boost or to evoke such a response in another? If so, have we considered the pain that we might be causing?
I feel there is a good point here. When both parties are not playing the game, have made a conscious choice, then problems crop up. If one wants to be married, and the other is not honest about not being interested in marriage?
For example, Proverbs 13:12 says: "Expectation postponed is making the heart sick." If we deliberately flirt with someone, we probably do not know just how that person is affected. He or she may develop expectations about courtship and even an eventual marriage. The ensuing disappointment can be crushing. (Proverbs 18:14) To toy with the feelings of others intentionally is cruel.I think this can be a problem in the WTS because there are many more available women than men. Women have no status unless they are married. So the available men sometimes take advantage.
19 It is particularly important to guard against flirting when it comes to married people. To signal romantic interest in a married person?or for a married person to show such interest in someone outside the marriage bond?is wrong.Personally, I agree with this. It is playing with fire to flirt when you are in no position to follow through.
Sadly, some Christians have held the mistaken belief that it is acceptable to cultivate romantic feelings for members of the opposite sex other than their mate. Some reveal their innermost concerns to such a "friend," even confiding private thoughts that they do not share with their mate.I feel it can even undermine a marriage when your best friend is of the same sex and no sexual attraction is present. If you have "private thoughts" that you don?t share with your mate but you do with a best friend, it is time to re-examine your marriage.
As a result, romantic feelings have blossomed into an emotional dependency that may undermine and even destroy a marriage. Married Christians do well to remember Jesus? wise warning about adultery?it begins in the heart. (Matthew 5:28) Let us, then, safeguard the heart and avoid situations that could lead to such ruinous results.If you are in an unhappy marriage, try to find out why and do what you can. If it is hopeless, be honest about it, end it. Don?t try to have the best of both worlds.
20 Granted, it is not easy to remain chaste in today?s immoral world. Remember, though, that it is far easier to maintain your chastity than to regain it once it is lost. Of course, Jehovah can "forgive in a large way" and is able to cleanse those who truly repent of their sins. (Isaiah 55:7)Repentance as judged by the elders, of course.
Do you think the WTS will regain their chastity now that their "association" with the UN is on the UN website?
However, Jehovah does not shield those who commit immorality from the consequences of their actions. The aftereffects may last for years, even a lifetime. (2 Samuel 12:9-12) (Remember David?s son died and David?s wives were raped but he has not put to death as the Law decreed.) By all means, maintain your chastity by safeguarding your heart. View your clean, chaste standing before Jehovah God as a precious treasure?and never let it go! Concluding CommentsI see that the WTS has been reading the CO/DO reports. Immorality is the number one reason for disfellowshipping.
Nothing new, not even the hypocrisy of the WTS about chastity but ignoring the sexual abuse of thousands of JW children in the world. What about their spiritual fornication with the UN?
Just remember love is the key in all relationships. Do the loving thing, not necessarily the sexual thing.
Blondie