4/1/1967 WT
For years, modern civilization has used the commercially available product known as toilet paper to cleanse one's rear posterior. It is a common practice that has permeated almost all** of the inhabited earth. However, is the practice of using toilet paper appropriate for True Christians? To answer that question, a servant of the True God would be wise to consult His written word for instruction. (Heb 4:12) While the Bible does not specifically make mention of toilet paper, it contains principles and examples to assist the dedicated servant of Jehovah in "setting matters straight."- 2 Tim 3:16; **-See the article Witnessing To the Bushmen of Guyana from the 1972 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Origin of Toilet Paper
Let us consider the roots of modern day toilet paper to gain a clearer insight into its rise in use today. While the exact date of its invention and inventor are not known, documented accounts of its use date back to the 6 th Century B.C. in medieval China. An official of that time made this declaration regarding toilet paper, "Paper on which there are quotations or commentaries from the Five Classics or the names of sages, I dare not use for toilet purposes." What were the Five Classics this ancient official referred to? The answer turns out to be the authoritative books on Confucianism which is a philosophy based upon two Eastern false religions, Buddhism & Daoism. Would it be wise for a Christian to ever use an item associated with false religion for personal use? Certainly not! Now we will consider what God's Word has to say about toilet paper through the examples of Jeremiah and Job.
God's Word on Toilet Paper through Jeremiah
Interestingly as mentioned earlier the first documented account of toilet papers use is in the 6 th century which is close to the time Jerusalem was destroyed and left desolate by the Babylonians in 607 B.C. The actions of the Israelites that caused Jehovah to allow this calamitous event are well documented within the Book of Jeremiah. One of the actions found offensive by Jehovah was the Israelites being influenced by outside nations that were not in a covenant relationship with the True God. This was the case when Jeremiah wrote to "not learn the way of the nations." What was the reason behind this command? Jeremiah continues about the improper use of trees saying, "because it is a mere tree out of the forest that one has cut down, the work of craftsman with the billhook." Evidently, Jeremiah was referring to China's influence upon the Israelites encouraging them to make for themselves toilet paper from the trees of the forest. (Jeremiah 10:2,3) May we never fall to such pagan influence!
A Man of Integrity and Without Toilet Paper
Considering Jeremiah spoke out against China's unwholesome influence upon the Israelites by introducing the use of toilet paper, he may have had in mind another individual possibly from China although relocated in the land of Uz. The one he may have had in mind was the faithful man of integrity, Job, who was mentioned as the "greatest of all the Orientals."(Job 1:3) While Job was known for his numerous possessions (Job 42:12), no mention is ever made of this faithful servant using toilet paper. Why even when plagued with boils, Job maintained his integrity persevering without the use of toilet paper even using broken pieces of pottery (Job 2:7,8) Truly Job left an example worth imitating!
Will You Make the Right Decision?
As we have seen in throughout this article the use of toilet paper would not be appropriate for a True Christian. Had Jehovah seen fit for his servants to use such a product it would have been mentioned in a positive light throughout His Word, the Bible. What about toilet paper separates or toilet paper with aloe? Considering the Scriptures make no mention of toilet paper separates or with aloe, it would be a personal decision left up to each individual Christian to make. The Scriptures speak negatively only about whole toilet paper manufactured from a tree. Christians should not go about pressuring one another to conform to each other's personal views on toilet paper that can be separated or with aloe. (Rom 14:10) However, if the host of a small gathering personally uses toilet paper separates or with aloe, it would be loving and considerate to remove such an item from the bathroom so as not to stumble their fellow brother or sister. -Rom 14:13b
As we are all well aware, we live in a society that has no regard for God's righteous principles and commandments. As a result we're surrounded by filth, even physically as a result of our physical imperfection. We recognize however despite such we don't want to clean our own filth, with filth such as toilet paper. God has given His people instructions to keep themselves physically clean. (Deut 23:12-14, Lev 11:32-38, Ex 30:17-21) He has also seen fit to leave practical examples for us to imitate such as Job and his use of pottery. Let us keep in mind such principles and examples as we persevere in our efforts to remain unmarred by toilet paper and its use, and we look forward to the day when God blesses us with an eternity without toilet paper!
