Comments You Will Not Hear at the 6-26-05 WT Study (Exercise Restraint)

by blondie 15 Replies latest watchtower bible

• 

  blondie

  Comments You Will Not Hear at the 6-26-05 WT Study (May 15, 2005 issue date)

  Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()

  WT quotes from today’s WT will be in red and quotes ""

  Quotes from other sources will be in blue

  'KEEP YOURSELF RESTRAINED UNDER EVIL'

  "A slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward

  all, keeping himself restrained under evil.''-2 TIMOTHY 2:24.

  Opening Comments

  Well, times are tough for the rank and file. Evil is everywhere at the door, in the family, and at the KH. They don’t seem to have been doing well at keeping themselves restrained under evil, with the elders the worst culprits.

  Elders yell at each other, at the MS, at their wife and children, at the rank and file, and at the CO at times. The worse experience I had at the door was when an elder started a loud argument with a man over the flag salute. We could be heard in the next county and I was worried a gun might become involved. Even when I stopped the argument and make a get away, the elder was still yellowing about it.

  I saw 2 sisters get into it screaming into each others face, elders wives unfortunately.

  And those evil apostates, waving their signs and daring to suggest that WTS makes mistakes, has made mistakes. While the WTS is not infallible, they don’t make mistakes. If they do, don’t talk about them or they will kick you out.

  Have you noticed JWs, old friends and family not exercising restraint?

  HOW do you react when you are confronted by those who are not favorably

  disposed toward you or toward what you represent ? In his description of the

  last days, the apostle Paul foretold that people would be "blasphemers, . .

  . slanderers, without self-control, fierce ." (2 Timothy 3:1-5, 12) You may

  encounter such individuals in your ministry or in other activities.

  • Those who are not favorably disposed toward you or toward what you represent?
• Favorably disposed
—buzz phrase

Can you imagine why people are not happy to see JWs come to their door? They come unannounced, without an invitation, without an appointment, to tell people their beliefs are wrong and they are going to die if they don’t change.

• Blasphemers, slanderers, without self-control, fierce
• Encounter such individuals in your ministry or other activities

Already the WTS has painted a negative picture of these people, blasphemers, slanderers, without self-control, fierce. Will the average JW have any hope that these people will listen having already consigned them to Gehenna?

2 Not everyone who indulges in verbal abuse lacks all interest in what is
right . Extreme hardship or frustration may cause people to lash out at
whoever is around them. (Ecclesiastes 7:7) Many act this way because they
live and work in an environment where rough speech is common . This does not
make such speech acceptable for us as Christians, but it does help us to
understand why other people use it . How should we react to harsh speech?
Proverbs 19:11 states: "The insight of a man certainly slows down his
anger." And Romans 12:17, 18 advises us: "Return evil for evil to no one. .
. . If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men."
• Not everyone indulges in verbal abuse lacks all interest in what is right.

Notice how the WTS assumes that they and the JW calling is right and the person behind the door is wrong.

• Extreme hardship or frustration (may be the cause)
• Live and work in an environment where rough speech is common

Once again the WTS assumes that the people behind the door have no redeeming qualities.

• Us as Christians—a buzz phrase meaning only JWs
• How should we react to harsh speech?
3 If we truly are peaceable, this will be evident in the spirit that we
show. It will be reflected in what we say and do, perhaps also in our facial
expression and in our tone of voice . (Proverbs 17:27) When sending his
apostles out to preach, Jesus counseled them: "When you are entering into
the house, greet the household ["wish the house peace," The New English
Bible]; and if the house is deserving, let the peace you wish it come upon
it; but if it is not deserving, let the peace from you return upon you."
(Matthew 10:12, 13) The message that we bear is good news. The Bible calls
it "the good news of peace," "the good news of the undeserved kindness of
God," and "this good news of the kingdom." (Ephesians 6:15; Acts 20:24;
Matthew 24:14) Our objective is, not to criticize the other person's beliefs
or to argue with him about his viewpoints , but to share with him good news
from God's Word.

• Peaceable
• Reflected in what we say and do
• Facial expression and in our tone of voice
• Greet household; if the house is deserving; peace you wish it come upon it
• If it is not deserving, let the peace from you return

Can you remember those days when JWs lacked enthusiasm because they assumed no one would listen? How they trotted out a canned presentation without warmth and interest in the person behind the door?

w95 10/15 p. 26 What Future for the Sheep and the Goats? ***

Many people may not personally have attacked Christ's representatives, but neither have they treated his people lovingly. Preferring the wicked world, goatlike ones reject the Kingdom message, whether hearing it directly or indirectly.

w50 6/1 p. 176 Field Experience ***

While group witnessing in Pasadena, California, finding very little interest, I came to a house on the corner. A goatish woman at the door cared more for her religious fodder than for the bread of life,

w65 3/15 p. 176 Our Own Twentieth-Century Generation and the Resurrection ***

The undedicated children of goatish people will not be spared from execution and being sentenced to Gehenna just because they are themselves minor, unresponsible children.
• Message; good news, of peace, undeserved kindness, of the kingdom
• Our objective is, not to criticize the other person's beliefs or to argue with him about his viewpoints

km 8/02 p. 8 Be a Communicator! ***

On the other hand, a superior attitude repels. Thus, although we are firmly convinced that we have the truth, we wisely avoid speaking in a dogmatic
What if the person's comments reflect beliefs that are out of harmony with what the Bible teaches? Are we under obligation to correct him? Yes , in due course, but we do not have to try to do so on the initial call.
4 Without really listening, a householder may abruptly state, "I am not
interested." In many cases, it is possible to say , "I was hoping to read
just this one brief text from the Bible ." He may not object to that. In
other cases, it may be appropriate to say: "I was hoping to tell you about a
time when there will be no injustice and all people will learn to love one
another ." If that does not promptly elicit a request for an explanation, you
might add: "But evidently this is not a convenient time for you." Even if
the householder's response is not peaceable, should we conclude that he is
"not deserving"? Regardless of the reaction, remember the Bible's counsel to
be "gentle toward all, . . . restrained under evil."-2 Timothy 2:24.
• Without really listening
• Householder
—buzz word meaning the person behind the door; engenders true Christian feeling, eh?
• May
abruptly state, "I am not interested."—abruptly meaning without knowing what they aren’t interested in, as if JWs had never called before.
• Hoping to read just this one
brief text from the Bible—Have you ever seen some JWs think this means an invitation to read several scriptures?
• Evidently this is not a convenient time for you!!!!!!!!!!
• Householder's response not peaceable doesn't men not deserving (note scripture used in paragraph 3)
Insolent but Misguided
5 In the first century, a man named Saul was well-known for his
disrespectful speech, even for his violent behavior . The Bible says that he
was "breathing threat and murder against the disciples of the Lord." (Acts
9: 1,2) He later acknowledged that he had been "a blasphemer and a
persecutor and an insolent man." (1 Timothy 1:13) Although some of his
relatives may already have become Christians , he said of his own attitude

toward Christ's followers: "Since I was extremely mad against them, I went

so far as to persecuting them even in outside cities." (Acts 23: 16; 26:11;

Romans 16:7, 11) There is no evidence that the disciples tried to engage

Saul in public debate while he was conducting himself in that manner.

• Disrespectful speech, violent behavior
• Breathing threat and murder

Do you get the idea that the WTS is preparing the rank and file for some heavy duty persecution?

• Although some of his relatives may already have become Christians

This is a perfect example as to how the WTS adds to the Bible.

• No evidence that the disciples tried to engage Saul in public debate

Yes, the rank and file should not engage in debate on the doorstep especially with anyone who has actually studied the Bible.

6 Why did Saul act like that? Years later, he wrote : "I was ignorant and
acted with a lack of faith." (1 Timothy 1:13) He was a Pharisee, educated
"according to the strictness of the ancestral Law." (Acts 22:3) Though
Saul's teacher Gamaliel was evidently somewhat broad-minded, high priest
Caiaphas, with whom Saul came to be associated, proved to be fanatic.
Caiaphas had been a ringleader in the plot that led to the execution of
Jesus Christ. (Matthew 26:3, 4, 63-66; Acts 5:34-39) After that, Caiaphas
saw to it that the apostles of Jesus were flogged, and he sternly ordered
them to quit preaching on the basis of Jesus' name. Caiaphas presided over
the Sanhedrin at the emotionally charged session during which Stephen was
taken away to be stoned. (Acts 5:27, 28, 40; 7:1-60) Saul observed the
stoning, and Caiaphas authorized him to follow through on further efforts to
suppress the followers of Jesus by arresting them in Damascus. (Acts 8:1;
9:1, 2) Under this influence, Saul thought that his conduct gave evidence of
zeal for God, but he actually lacked real faith. (Acts 22:3-5) As a result,
Saul failed to realize that Jesus was the true Messiah . But Saul came to his
senses when the resurrected Jesus miraculously spoke to him on the road to
Damascus.-Acts 9:3-6.
• Ignorant and lack of faith
• Lacked real faith
• Failed to realize that Jesus was the true Messiah

How many JWs know who the 12 apostles were without looking it up?

How many can explain what changed about the 1914 generation doctrine (assuming they realized it changed)?

Why are they called Jehovah’s Witnesses and not Jesus Witnesses (Acts 1:8)?

How many JWs know that they are not Jesus’ brothers; that God is just their friend not their father; and that he is not their mediator?

7 Shortly after this, the disciple Ananias was dispatched to witness to
Saul. Would you have been eager to make that call? Ananias was apprehensive,
but he spoke to Saul in a kind way. Saul's attitude had changed as a result
of his miraculous encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. (Acts
9:10-22) He came to be known as the apostle Paul, a zealous Christian
missionary.

This should get people out on Saturday, telling them they will be calling on people breathing murder.

Mild-Tempered but Courageous
8 Jesus was a zealous Kingdom proclaimer who was mild-tempered but
courageous in dealing with people. (Matthew 11:29) He reflected the spirit
of his heavenly Father, who urges the wicked to turn from their bad ways.
(Isaiah 55:6, 7) In dealing with sinners, Jesus took note when there was
evidence of a change for the better, and he encouraged such individuals.
(Luke 7:37-50; 19:2-10) Rather than judging others on the basis of outward
appearances , Jesus imitated his Father's kindness, forbearance, and
long-suffering with a view to leading them to repentance. (Romans 2:4) It is
Jehovah's will that people of all sorts should repent and be saved.-1
Timothy 2:3, 4.

Jesus took note when there was evidence of change for the better

Rather than judging on the basis of outward appearances

w02 9/1 p. 21 Imitate the Great Teacher ***

Unlike Jesus, we cannot read hearts.

w01 7/15 p. 23 Are You Truly Tolerant?

As a perfect man with special God-given insight, he could read hearts. Unlike Jesus, we lack the ability to read hearts.

Are they suggesting that JWs have the same abilities Jesus had to read people’s hearts?

Would a JW in the first century have eaten with a tax collector, a Pharisee, and let a woman with a bad reputation put oil on his feet?

9 Giving Jehovah's view of Jesus Christ, the Gospel writer Matthew quotes
these prophetic words: "Look! My servant whom I chose, my beloved, whom my
soul approved! I will put my spirit upon him, and what justice is he will
make clear to the nations. He will not wrangle, nor cry aloud, nor will
anyone hear his voice in the broad ways. No bruised reed will he crush, and
no smoldering flaxen wick will he extinguish, until he sends out justice
with success. Indeed, in his name nations will hope." (Matthew 12:17-21;
Isaiah 42:1-4) Consistent with those prophetic words , Jesus did not indulge
in noisy arguments . Even when under pressure, he spoke the truth in a manner
that appealed to honesthearted ones.-John 7:32, 40, 45, 46.

So after quoting Matthew 12:17-21, the best idea they could get from it was that Jesus did not indulge in noisy arguments?

Sounds to me that they are getting many reports of JWs wrangiing? Hmmmm.

10 During his ministry, Jesus spoke to many Pharisees. Though some of them
endeavored to trap him in his speech , Jesus did not conclude that all of
them had bad motives . Simon, a Pharisee who was somewhat critical, evidently
wanted to get a closer look at Jesus and invited him for a meal . Jesus
accepted the invitation and witnessed to those present. (Luke 7: 36-50) On
another occasion, a prominent Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus under
cover of night. Jesus did not reproach him for waiting until it was dark .

Instead, he witnessed to Nicodemus about the love shown by God in sending

his Son in order to open the way of salvation to those who would exercise

faith. Jesus also kindly pointed out the importance of obedience to God's

arrangement. (John 3:1-21) Nicodemus later spoke up in behalf of Jesus when

a favorable report about Jesus was belittled by other Pharisees.-John

7:46-51.

Jesus did not conclude that all of them (Pharisees) had bad motives.

JWs too often conclude their own members have bad motives; let alone non-JWs.

JWs are reproached every week by the elders from the platform for not living up to the WTS goals.

11 Jesus was not blind to the hypocrisy of those who were trying to entrap
him. He did not allow opposers to lead him into fruitless debates. When
appropriate, however, he did give brief, powerful replies by stating a
principle, using an illustration, or quoting a scripture. (Matthew 12:38-42;
15:1-9; 16:1-4) At other times, Jesus simply did not answer when it was
evident that no good would be accomplished by doing so.-Mark 15:2-5; Luke
22:67-70.

Fruitless debates, are too many JWs doing this?

But then, give brief, powerful replies; what does the WTS mean by that?

At other times, Jesus simply did not answer.

Now that is my advice when it comes to the elders; don’t debate them; it’s just pearls before swine.

12 Occasionally, Jesus was shouted at by people under the control of unclean
spirits . When that happened, he exercised restraint and even used his
God-given power to bring relief. (Mark 1:23-28; 5:2-8, 15) If some peopie
become angry and shout at us when we are engaging in the ministry , we
similarly need to exercise restraint, and we should endeavor to handle such
a situation in a kind and tactful manner.-Colossians 4:6.

Met any demonized people at the doors?

Within the Family

13 The need for Jesus' followers to exercise restraint often becomes most
evident within the family . A person whose heart is deeply touched by Bible
truth longs for his family to respond in the same way. But as Jesus said,
family members may show hostility . (Matthew 10:32-37; John 15:20, 21) There
are various reasons for this. For instance, while Bible teachings can help
us to become honest, responsible, and respectful, the Scriptures also teach
that in any situation our higher responsibility is to our Creator.
(Ecclesiastes 12: 1, 13; Acts 5:29) A family member who feels that his
influence in the family is somehow being diminished because of our loyalty
to Jehovah may take offense. When dealing with such a situation, how
important it is that we follow Jesus' example of showing restraint!-1 Peter
2:21-23; 3:1, 2.

Now the enemies are in the family.

Wives/husbands who feel that now they are a JW they don’t need to show respect and consideration to their mate. To constantly let them know they are second to God even in the areas where God says the mate comes first.

14 Many now serving Jehovah had a marriage mate or other family member who
was opposed to the changes they were making when they began studying the
Bible. The opposers may have heard negative comments about Jehovah's
Witnesses, and perhaps they feared that there would be an undesirable
influence on the household. What caused them to change their attitude? In
many cases, good example was a big factor. Because the believer steadfastly
applied Bible counsel--regularly attending Christian meetings and
participating in the ministry while also caring for family responsibilities
and showing restraint in the face of any verbal abuse --family opposition
sometimes softened.-1 Peter 2:12.

The biggest mistake I see in families where only one mate is a JW is that the JW is not a good example.

15 An opposer may also have refused to listen to any explanation from the

Bible because of prejudice or pride. That was true of a man in the United

States who said that he was very patriotic. One time, when his wife was at a
convention, he took all his clothes and moved out. Another time, he left
home with a gun and threatened to kill himself. He blamed her religion for
any unreasonable conduct on his part. But she endeavored to keep applying
Bible counsel . Twenty years after she became one of Jehovah's Witnesses, he
did too. In Albania a woman became angry because her daughter studied the
Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses and then got baptized . On 12 occasions the
mother destroyed her daughter's copy of the Bible. Then one day she opened a
new Bible that her daughter had left on a table . By chance, it opened to
Matthew 10:36, and the mother realized that what was said there applied to
her. Still, concerned about the daughter's welfare, the mother accompanied
her to the boat when she was going to depart with other Witnesses for a
convention in Italy. When the mother saw the love, hugs, and smiles of the
group and heard their happy laughter, her feelings began to change. Soon
after this, she agreed to study the Bible. Today she endeavors to help
others who initially oppose.

Now weren’t those realistic examples. One stays for 20 years with a husband who uses his gun to blackmail her. Then a mother who just happens to read the one scripture that changes her from the woman who destroyed 12 Bibles.

16 In one instance, a knife-wielding husband confronted his wife , hurling
bitter accusations at her as she approached the Kingdom Hall. She gently
replied: "Come into the Kingdom Hall, and see for yourself." He did, and in
time he became a Christian elder.

Yes, if a person flashes a knife at me, I would know that the solution is to invite them to the KH.

17 Even if everyone in your household is a Christian, there may be times
when the family situation becomes tense and words even become harsh because
of human imperfection. It is noteworthy that Christians in ancient Ephesus
were counseled: "Let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and
screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you along with all badness."
(Ephesians 4:31) Evidently, the environment that surrounded Christians in
Ephesus, their own imperfection and, in some cases, their former way of life
influenced them. What would help them to change? They needed to "be made new
in the force actuating [their] mind." (Ephesians 4:23) As they studied God's
Word, meditated on how it should influence their lives , associated with
fellow Christians , and earnestly prayed, the fruitage of God's spirit would
be more fully manifest in their lives. They would learn to "become kind to
one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as
God also by Christ freely forgave [them]." (Ephesians 4:32 ) Regardless of
what others may do, we need to exercise restraint, being kind,
compassionate, forgiving. Indeed, we must "return evil for evil to no one."
(Romans 12:17,18) Showing genuine love in imitation of God is always the
right thing to do. -1 John 4:8.

Christian—a JW (only JWs are Christians and don’t you forget that)

Heavens, do Christians—er JWs—say harsh words.

Exercise restraint

I don’t think many JWs are exercising restraint. How is that possible with the happiest people in the world?

Counsel for All Christians
18 Counsel to keep ourselves "restrained under evil" applies to all
Christians. ( 2 Timothy 2:24) But it was first directed to Timothy, who
needed it when he served as an elder in Ephesus. Some in the congregation
there were quite vocal in making known their views and were teaching wrong
doctrine. Because they did not fully discern the objective of the Mosaic
Law, they failed to appreciate the importance of faith, love, and a good
conscience. Pride created strife as they engaged in debates over words,
while missing the point of Christ's teachings and the importance of godly
devotion. To handle this situation, Timothy was to be firm for Scriptural
truth yet gentle in dealing with his brothers. Like present-day elders, he
knew that the flock did not belong to him and that he was to deal with
others in a way that would promote Christian love and unity. -Ephesians
4:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:3-11; 5:1, 2; 6:3-5.

Some in the congregation there were quite vocal in making known their views and were teaching wrong doctrine.

Pride created strife as they engaged in debates over words,

Sounds like apostates to me.

How are the elders to act?

Timothy was to be firm for Scriptural truth yet gentle in dealing with his brothers

Is that how the elders treated you when you had questions or doubts?

19 God urges his people to "seek meekness." (Zephaniah 2:3) The Hebrew
expression for "meekness" denotes a disposition that enables a person to
endure injury patiently, without irritation and without retaliation. May we
earnestly petition Jehovah for help so that we can exercise restraint and
represent him properly, even under difficult circumstances.

Well, be prepared to apply this advice at the KH, and wait on Jehovah to right the wrongs done to you for your "loving" brothers and sisters.

Concluding Comments

Sorry for the briefness of this. Big weekend coming up. Work has been chaotic and my arthritis has been winning lately.

Have a good time this weekend; have good food, good friends, good drink (beer) and watch the fireworks. And remember the struggle many are having all over the world. Love Blondie

Questions

1. When engaged in Christian activity, why do we occasionally encounter
people who speak harshly?
2. What scriptures can help us to deal wisely with people who speak harshly
to us?
3. How is peaceableness involved in the message we preach?
4. What might you say when told "I am not interested" before you even have
an opportunity to state the reason for your visit?
5, 6. How did Saul deal with Jesus' followers, and why did he act that way?
7. What happened to Saul as a result of his encounter with Jesus on the road
to Damascus?
8. How did Jesus reflect his Father's attitude toward people who had done
bad things?
9. What can we learn from the way that Isaiah 42:1-4 was fulfilled in Jesus?
10, 11. (a) Although Pharisees were among Jesus' most vocal opposers, why
did he witness to some of them? (b) What sort of replies did Jesus
occasionally give to opposers, but what did he not do?
12. Even when he was shouted at, how was Jesus able to help people?
13. Why do people sometimes oppose a family member who begins to study the
Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses?
14-16. What brought about changes in some who formerly opposed their family
members?
17. If the situation sometimes gets tense in a Christian home, what
Scriptural counsel can help?
18. Why was the counsel found at 2 Timothy 2:24 appropriate for an elder in
ancient Ephesus, and how can it benefit all Christians?
19. Why is it important for all of us to "seek meekness"?
What Did You Learn?
When you are confronted with insolent speech, what scriptures can help you?
Why did Saul act in an insolent manner?
How does Jesus' example help us to deal appropriately with all sorts of
people?
What benefits may come from exercising restraint in our speech at home?