Making decisions for a JW is never simple. Every decision seems to be loaded with a 'what if' scenario and also, a 'what will people say' on top of that.
The April 15, 2006, is a classic for showing why the average JW is so messed up, it's amazing that he/she even knows what to put on in the morning!
'How can you make Decisions God's Way' is a classic for messing up, even the sanest head.
Page 14 of this article:
Take, for example, the decision a young man might face in choosing his hairstyle. No Bible command specifically condemns a certain hairdo. Yet, consider a Bible principle. The apostle Paul wrote: 'I desire the women to adorn themselves in well arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, but in the way that befits women professing to revernce God, namesly through good works.' (I Tim 2:9,10) Paul is here writing about women, but the principle applies to both men and women. What is the principle? Our appearance should reflect modesty and soundness of mind. So the young man can ask himself, 'Will my hairstyle reflect the modesty that befits a christian?'
And what helpful principle can a young person extract from the following words of the disciple James? 'Adultresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God' Christians loathe the thought of being a friend of the world, which is at enmity with God. would the type of hairstyle that his peers are fond of make him seem to be a friend of God or a friend of the world? The young man pondering the question of hair style can use such Bible based principles in making a wise decision. Yes, divine principles help us make decisions. And when we become accustomed to making decisions based on godly principles, it gets easier to come to wise conclusions that do not have negative consequences.'
The 'supposed young man' was thinking about a 'hairstyle'. What 'negative consequences' could a person have from a hair cut?! There is a picture in this section of a young woman choosing between a long, 'grandma style' stripey skirt and a skirt that is probably above the knee! It is not a 'mini mini skirt' but definitly a shorter length to the other one. The question by the picture is 'How could Bible principles help her decide wisely?'
Unlike the ordinary man or woman, a JW has to get up in the morning and decide whether they might lose their 'eternal life' prospects if they wear the 'wrong skirt', have the 'wrong hairstyle', or in any way look 'worldly'!
No wonder so many JWs don't want to get out of bed in the morning and chose to opt out of the 'rat race' of life.
Another paragraph in this section shows are a JW has to consider the 'eternal life' of others when they get up in the morning to dress as well as their own 'eternal life'! What a stress! Here goes:
"Many have made such changes, and they consider others when making decisions, whether major or trivial. Paul wrote; ' You were, of course, called for freedom, brothers; only do not use this freedom as an inducement for the flesh, but through love slave for one another.' Gal 5:13. How can we do that? Consider a young girl who moved to a rural town to help people to learn about God's Word. As she talked to the people, she realised that her clothes, though modest by the standards of urban fashion, were becoming the talk of the town. Her dress and grooming were modest, yet she decided to wear clothes that were more subdued 'so that the word of God would not be spoken of abusively.'
How would you have reacted if you faced some decision about your grooming or another matter of personal taste? You can be sure that Jehovah will be pleased when you decisions reflect your concern for the conscience of others.'
Ah!! The 'Joys of Being a JW' and never being yourself....always pleasing the unpleaseable WTBTS!!!