Then don't have anything to do with them. If something is truly unreasonable, truly beneath contempt, determined to practice what they know to be wrong - whatever that may be - then our spirit and our peace can so easily be harmed by addressing that whose spirit plays by very different standards of good and bad. How many words does it take to reprove someone who is determined not to hear.
I do notice however that Ephesians tells us to "have nothing to do with unfruitful works of darkness, but to reprove them"
- the works, reprove the works. Our Lord did not actively seek out even the Pharisees to reprove their works (imagine how that would have affected the better-hearted Pharisees who were within earshot!) rather he spent his life teaching those who would listen, and only when a bad soul challenged him then and only then would he spend time on reproving them - with a way out for the better hearted souls who might be listening.
Our Lord was attractive to sinners and captives - not because he was judgmental, but because his life and spirit showed something beautiful, and a way out for them. And I think we can do that, people will notice even from a distance our confidence and our freedom in worship and see that - by God's kindness - freedom is possible for them too.
IMHO
Acts5v29
Then don't have anything to do with them. If something is truly unreasonable, truly beneath contempt, determined to practice what they know to be wrong - whatever that may be - then our spirit and our peace can so easily be harmed by addressing that whose spirit plays by very different standards of good and bad. How many words does it take to reprove someone who is determined not to hear.
I do notice however that Ephesians tells us to "have nothing to do with unfruitful works of darkness, but to reprove them"
- the works, reprove the works. Our Lord did not actively seek out even the Pharisees to reprove their works (imagine how that would have affected the better-hearted Pharisees who were within earshot!) rather he spent his life teaching those who would listen, and only when a bad soul challenged him then and only then would he spend time on reproving them - with a way out for the better hearted souls who might be listening.
Our Lord was attractive to sinners and captives - not because he was judgmental, but because his life and spirit showed something beautiful, and a way out for them. And I think we can do that, people will notice even from a distance our confidence and our freedom in worship and see that - by God's kindness - freedom is possible for them too.
IMHO
Acts5v29
Acts5v29 I appreciate your way of arguing and exprees yourself, but think it is maybe time to go to another thread, since we are moving away from the topic, or will it be Ok to continue to argue for The Watchtower Societys scrutiny manipulation of their statements, doctrines, speeches and behaviour.
Of corse we shall show such an attitude, like Jesus did and draw people to us, in the question of Jesus Christ and the Good News, instead of making distance, who was eating with tax collectors, "falen" women and Pharisees among others, who was willing to listen, but as you are aware of and have mentioned in a former post, it can be difficoult in question of members of the Watchtowers Society, since the leaders act like them in the former Comunist Countries, "Do not listen to the evil and dangerous people from the West", to protect their man made organisation doctrines, ideology and financial assets.
In an attempt to follow your example about the Pharisees, I do not relly hope, that there was liberal Pharisees among them, which heard was Jesus was saying in Matthew, which wasn't adressed with exemtions between the Pharisses, the whole of chapter 23, to better be able to understand your thoughts.
In question of the Watchtower Society, I try to adresse my posts to the men behind, in the Governing Body as the head, not to a single individual, never ever to the Rank and File, since they are the head and all of them know what they are doing, in question of their ban on vaccinations, organs and blood.
Without having personal insigth in what have happend, during the meetings in the Governing Body, when Raymond Franz left, it looks like for me, at least, who have read the negative Watchtower magazines and later on his book Crisis of Consience, that he step dawn because of his consience, even that he didn't left as a member of The Watchtower Society. So mybe there are others in the Governing Body today that have learned of the history with Franz and try to change the organisation from the inside, I really hope so for the Rank and File, even that their bans unfortunately will continue until new generations grow up.
May I kindly ask you, do you believe there are members of The Governing Body that believe their blood doctrine is wrong and have decided to stay in spite of this knowledge, well knowing that thousands of their fellow men have and will die in the comming years, unless there will be a total capitulation in question of the blood hipocrisy?
Furthermore be kind to explain for me, since we are talking about doctrinal murder, how we shall understand their own arguing: If you have a glass of pure water and put a very little poisen in it, will you drink the water?
We are many places in the Scriptures warned, not to support and have any company, so do you belive it will be Ok to support, join and have any relation to such religious organisations, which send our fellow men and their children into a premature death, based at doctrines of men?
Finally I do not have the right to judge anybody, but believe I own the ring and duty to explore their doctrines as murderdoctrines, which has sent thousands of individuals into a premature death if "Good men do absolutely nothing"
Furthermore be kind to explain for me, since we are talking about doctrinal murder, how we shall understand their own arguing: If you have a glass of pure water and put a very little poisen in it, will you drink the water?
We are many places in the Scriptures warned, not to support and have any company, so do you belive it will be Ok to support, join and have any relation to such religious organisations, which send our fellow men and their children into a premature death, based at doctrines of men?
Hello Brother TalkActive:hibye:
Perhaps we are digressing, but to answer your question...
I can't answer these because I have not read WatchTower material for many years and I don't listen to what they say. They have no bearing on my life, I don't try to reason with them nor am I the slightest bit afraid of what they teach. My spiritual life is completely and utterly separate from the WatchTower society, so I think your questions are better suited to someone who supports them.
I know these are emotive and horribly painful topics, for which you have my sympathy and understanding, but personally I feel it fruitless to even consider reasoning with those in high places who have no inclination to hear. There may be some "good ears" - after all, the Sanhedrin member and Pharisee Nicodemus had a good heart - but like many religions the WatchTower has a life of it's own which even the members of it's ruling body have no power over. So I spend my time in trying to encourage others and to help take away any fear they may have, by God's kindness - portray our Father in His true light rather than as an angry God counting our every slip-up. I'm rather slow-witted really, with no real knowledge of Bible prophecy, but I can encourage others as can we all. It's much more peaceful that giving mind to doctrines which are, by their nature, upsetting to so many fine-hearted worshippers.
Best wishes,
Acts5v29