Do JW'S need James 1:5

Ade

James 1:5 So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him.

I was reading James a minute ago and wondered whether this verse is needed for the average JW's, After all how can they be lacking in wisdom when Gods anointed are leading them ??

I know this probably seems harsh but hopefully you can grasp what i mean, when you have all the "so called" knowledge of God and interpreting the scriptures why would any of them need to ask God for wisdom that he's already given them ??

Maybe i'm having an unreasonable moment here folks.

All the best
Ade

BlackPearl

It's not unreasonable, maybe it's like asking for more food when you've already got a full plate? It does seem interesting to ponder though.

fullofdoubtnow

It's a good question. As jws, we were taught that all we needed was the watchtower, and we couldn't understand the bible without it, so why ask god for understanding when we have that mountain of publications available to fill our every spirituall need?

Berean2

Wisdom, as explained by JW's is the proper enactment of knowledge. So as James later explains that Faith without works is dead, we conclude that the request for wisdom is really for prudent behaviour in all circumstances within your control.

I feel we need to draw a distinction between JW's and the Organisation. On one hand the JW's are the rank and file members, and on the other we have the "lawmakers" the organisation. The Faithful & Discreet Slave"

JW's on the whole are somewhat made up of ordinary folk who are encouraged to be humble and meek and follow the "slave" so they are not the lawmakers, just the great crowd of sheep, and as is the case with sheep, they are not encouraged to think out of the "box" or watchtower.

However, it appears to me, if your question is aimed at the R&F then these would need wisdom independantly to perform their knowledge.

On the other hand, if your question is in regard to the F&DS then yes, they have taken the stance of allknowing and allwise. They are not to be questioned. this is a draconian stance.

The have stated that their publications are not "inspired".....that leaves room for human error, but that will not be admitted, except to alter some minor course and say the "light" is getting brighter. Take the smoking issue as an example, why did this "God's Organisation" only get a brighter light on smoking after almost 90 years of existence? Then take the draconian step to disfellowship a smoker?

Are they saying that God let his cherised people smoke for 90 years, ruin their precious lives with tobacco, then call down the sword to execute or excommunicate them? does that sound remotely like a loving God? If indeed they have the loving God on their side?

No I feel this is not a divine action, but as with so many other man made rules fabricated by these lawmakers it is human and therefore open to error!

Wisdom my dear friend is also the ability to discern between right and wrong, such as what constitutes truth or fabrication!

The "lawmakers" fear of Apostates borders on paranoia. The question I would like to ask is why? Could it be that the "truth" as discovered by these apostates is so sound that it would undermine the fundemental laws of the organisation?

Too many ex-witnesses have sound first-hand experiences that they have suffered at the "lawmakers" hands, experiences which they are petrified will get into the hands of the great crowd. This is due to the huge number of members being lost every year and increasing in velocity.

A long winded attempt to answer a straightforward question, I apologise in advance for this verbal diarretic reply.

Berean2

fullofdoubtnow

Hi Berean2, and welcome to the forum.

You make a very good point here:

The "lawmakers" fear of Apostates borders on paranoia. The question I would like to ask is why? Could it be that the "truth" as discovered by these apostates is so sound that it would undermine the fundemental laws of the organisation?

I must admit that, as a jw, I used to be very fearful of apostates. I guess that is part of the indoctrination, because as I'm sure you know, the dictionary definition of an apostate is merely someone who has abandoned a previously - held religious belief, which makes many jws apostates, as many of them have left a former religion to become jws.

However, the wts demonises apostates to such an extent that all jws fear them, until they become ex jws anyway. I think that to a degree they instill the same fear in jws re bible study. I used to do personal bible reading, but always looked to the society's publications for an explanation of a text I was unsure of instead of trying to reason it out for myself. That kind of reliance on the wts surely inhibits people from gainig full value from personal study, which probably suits the society's interests anyway.

Ade

Hi,
Berean 2 and welcome ,
Yes the mark of wisdom is classed as application of knowledge, which again raises the question from our point of view, if indeed they have the God given knowledge and are the "truth" then the application of knowledge - wisdom should be an obvious and natural proggresion as they have "God given wisdom" so essentially R&F are as guilty as GB / FDS.

because of the stance on following the FDS/GB concerning the infalibility of their teachings ( even though they wont admit it ) the R&F become as guilty for then they are being led "hither and tither by the doctrines of men" without using the intellect God gave them to discern truth from falsehood

from my standpoint all remain guilty , of deception or ignorance, neither trait will be tolerated by Jesus Christ

All the best
Ade

Berean2

Hi Ade and thanks for the welcome, I was in the Truth for 35 years and an elder for many many years.

During this long time, I never felt that I was deceiving anyone by preaching publicly, I was superbly convinced that my actions were both scriptural and "approved" the right thing to do to show love to ones neighbour by sharing good news with them. I give this same advantage to the R&F JW's. They innocently believe that they are doing God a favour by preaching, and in some way this is the truth. Since leaving the organisation I have not found a substitute religion with a better form of worship, I have, as with so many others, tried to develop a relationship with our creator independantly.

It is my firm belief that every single religious organisation will be plagued by man-made dogma and people who do things that can be criticised. In this JW's are not alone.

I have not found evidence of God's blessing on JW's as being any different to any other organisation. Nothing that JW's have or do is evidence that God is on their side. Particularly when we know that the bodies of elders in countless congregations are guilty of so much wrongdoing. If Jesus were leading these men, then Jesus has great reason for embarrasment. If they are acting on their own, then that is exactly what they are, ON THEIR OWN, no evidence of Divine help.

So whilst I understand to a degree your feelings about deception, I would target the makers of these "rules" as the deceivers. Still, Eve was decieved and paid the same price as Adam so your point holds legality.

Best to ya

Berean2

greendawn

They would do well getting some wisdom to counterbalance their foolishness that ruined so many lives. They are an absolute mess and on a badly erroneous course in life. They think they are God's people when they are not.

gold_morning

Wonderful point Ade!

Notice the personal aspect of it... when he said..""if any of YOU lacks wisdom, he should as God, ......and it will be given to HIM."

The JW's fail to see the personal aspect of their faith. There is nothing individual about it. It is like a team... and everyone being a team player.

Yet.....1John 2:27 brings it again to such a personal level when he wrote:

"As for YOU, (personal) the annointing you received from him remains in YOU, AND YOU DO NOT NEED ANYONE to teach YOU, (still speaking personal) but as his annointing teaches YOU about all things and as that annointing is real, not counterfeit...Just as it has taught YOU, remain in HIM, (not remain in an orgainization)

After I was out I saw bible reading differently. It was so personal....so one on one! But then again... not just JW's.... most religions cannot seperate God from organized religion.

gold_morning

TopHat

I like that scripture....If any prayer is going to be answered it is to ask God for wisdom for ourself. I suppose that wisdom can be what God chooses for us.

Do JW'S need James 1:5

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