Comments You Will Not Hear at the 08-23-09 WT Study (June 15, 2009 pages 11-20)(SPEAK TRUTH)
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SPEAK TRUTH WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR "Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor."--EPH. 4:25
OPENING COMMENTS
So why did Paul say this to the Ephesians at this time in Christian history? The WTS describes Ephesus as the same "vice-ridden society" that they described the world in general as last week.
QUOTE
*** Insight Book-1 pp. 732-733 Ephesians, Letter to the ***By reason of the fact that the temple of Artemis was a sanctuary, crimes were encouraged and the criminal population of Ephesus increased. No one within a certain area around its walls might be arrested for any crime whatever. The result was that a village of thieves, murderers, and the like grew up around the temple. Paul’s words about stealing, along with malicious bitterness, screaming, and injuriousness, were therefore not out of place.—Eph 4:25-32.
COMMENTSHow does the WTS characterize the lying mentioned in Ephesians 4:25? Is there any mention here that some are not "entitled" to the truth?
QUOTE
*** w87 9/15 pp. 17-18 par. 7 Keep Submitting to “the Spirit That Is Life-Giving” ***We also need to be careful that we always tell the truth. Being devious or deliberately misleading others in order to avoid responsibility really amounts to lying. So be sure to heed Paul’s counsel: “Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are members belonging to one another.”—Ephesians 4:25; Proverbs 3:32.
COMMENTSThe WTS would like jws to think that lying is all right under certain circumstances. They cite the following example of Jesus saying he "lied" by leaving out some details. But was Jesus lying to his followers or opposers?
Didn't he "deliberately mislead others" as mentioned above?
QUOTE
*** w07 2/1 p. 6 Why Be Truthful? ***What example did Jesus Christ set in this regard? On one occasion, Jesus was conversing with some unbelievers who showed interest in his travel plans. “Pass on over from here and go into Judea,” they advised him. What was Jesus’ reply? “You go up to the festival [in Jerusalem]; I am not yet going up to this festival, because my due time has not yet fully come.” Shortly thereafter, Jesus did travel to Jerusalem for the festival. Why did he answer that way? They were not entitled to know the exact details of his whereabouts. So while Jesus did not utter an untruth, he gave them an incomplete answer in order to limit the possible harm they could do to him or to his followers. This was not a lie, for the apostle Peter wrote about Christ: “He committed no sin, nor was deception found in his mouth.”—John 7:1-13; 1 Peter 2:22.
COMMENTSAre jws allowed to leave out details and mislead other jws? The example of Rahab does not apply since she misled opposers of God's people.
QUOTE
*** Jehovah's Day chap. 9 p. 115 par. 9 Dealing With Others as God Desires ***Who of us has not said or done something unkind and then later been confronted about it? We likely felt embarrassed or somewhat guilty. Such feelings can lead a person to deny an error or offer some “explanation” that twists the truth in order to excuse the wrong or make it appear correct. Or in an uncomfortable situation, we might be tempted to mention only selected details, editing them to color the facts. Hence, what we say might technically be true yet give a totally different impression. While this may not be flagrant lying, such as is common in the world today, is it really ‘speaking truth each one with his neighbor,’ or brother? (Ephesians 4:15, 25; 1 Timothy 4:1, 2) When a Christian phrases things in such a way that he inwardly knows is leading brothers to a wrong conclusion, to believe something that is really not true, not accurate, how do you think God feels?
COMMENTSSeeing past comments by the WTS, what will be the new slant this week?
START OF ARTICLE
Q1,2. How do many people view truth?
1. Truth has been a controversial subject for ages. In the sixth century B.C.E., Greek poet Alcaeus said: "There is truth in wine." That implied that truth is revealed only after a person has overindulged in wine and perhaps is more eager to talk. First-century Roman Governor Pontius Pilate also reflected a warped view of truth when he cynically asked Jesus: "What is truth"?--John 18:38.
COMMENTSSo why pick Alcaeus? What is the rest of the quote? Why was Pilate's statement "warped" and "cynical"?
What else did Alcaeus say?
"One that hath wine as a chain about his wits, such a one lives no life at all."
2. Conflicting attitudes about truth abound in our day. Many people say that the word "truth" has various shades of meaning or that truth differs from one person to another. Others are truthful only when it is convenient or expedient. The book THE IMPORTANCE OF LYING states: Honesty may be a noble ideal, but it has little value in the life and death struggle for survival and security. Man has little choice in the matter--he must lie to live."
COMMENTSSo who wrote this book, what is his or her background. Is this the only viewpoint people outside the WTS have about lying?
Arnold Ludwig, written in 1965, psychiatrist, an old book, little quoted today except for the WTS. He also says "there are lies and then there are LIES" which will be clear is a WTS philosophy today.
http://books.google.com/books?id=zeh4Fwn43b4C&pg=PA149&lpg=PA149&dq=%22honesty+may+be+a+noble+ideal%
22&source=bl&ots=mINwASxhmg&sig=3bcE8tzmsoXHJcpU7PWtNTzpyos&hl=en&ei=YaqOSuavM5PslAejxojCDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct
=result&resnum=1#v=onepage&q=%22honesty%20may%20be%20a%20noble%20ideal%22&f=false
How many jws (or ex-jws) know that the WTS sends one letter with more information to the body of elders and an edited letter that is read to the congregation?
Q3. Why was Jesus an outstanding example in speaking truth?
How different it is for Christ's disciples! Jesus' view of truth was not philosophical. He ALWAYS spoke the truth. Even his enemies acknowledged: "Teacher, we know you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth." (Matt. 22:16) Likewise today, genuine Christians imitate Jesus' example. They do not hesitate to speak the truth. The wholeheartedly agree with the apostle Paul, who admonished fellow believers: "Now that you have put away falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor." (Eph. 4:25) Let us consider three aspects of Paul's words. First, who is our neighbor? Second, what does it mean to speak truth? And third, how can we apply this in our everyday life?
COMMENTSChrist's disciples = only jws
genuine Christians = only jws
Is being a Christian more than "just a membership in some organization" as the WTS says below?
If our neighbors are not just other jws, will it included opposers as in the case of Jesus and Rahab?
Per the WTS in other WT publications, teach that Jesus always told the truth?
QUOTE
*** it-2 p. 245 Lie ***While malicious lying is definitely condemned in the Bible, this does not mean that a person is under obligation to divulge truthful information to people who are not entitled to it. Jesus Christ counseled: “Do not give what is holy to dogs, neither throw your pearls before swine, that they may never trample them under their feet and turn around and rip you open.” (Mt 7:6) That is why Jesus on certain occasions refrained from giving full information or direct answers to certain questions when doing so could have brought unnecessary harm. (Mt 15:1-6; 21:23-27; Joh 7:3-10) Evidently the course of Abraham, Isaac, Rahab, and Elisha in misdirecting or in withholding full facts from nonworshipers of Jehovah must be viewed in the same light.—Ge 12:10-19; chap 20; 26:1-10; Jos 2:1-6; Jas 2:25; 2Ki 6:11-23.
*** w60 5/1 p. 281 par. 18 The Benefit of Living for God’s New World ***That means being a Christian not in name only, nor just by membership in some organization, but rather being a genuine worshiper of God in spirit and truth.
Who Is Our Neighbor?
Q4. Unlike first-century Jewish leaders, how did Jesus reflect Jehovah's view of who our neighbor is?
In the first century C.E., some Jewish leaders taught that only fellow Jews or their personal friends were worthy of bein called "neighbor." Jesus, however, perfectly reflected his Father's personality and thinking. (John 14:9) significantly, he showed his disciples that God does not favor one race or nationality over another. (John 4:5-26) Moreover, holy spirit revealed to the apostle Peter that "God is not partial, but in every national the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him." (Acts 10:28, 34, 35) We therefore, should regard all people as our neighbor, extending love even to those who act like enemies.--Matt. 5:43-45.
COMMENTSSo are jws supposed to tell all the truth to opposers? Was Rahab, Isaac, Abraham, and Elisha wrong to "misdirect or withhold full facts from nonworshipers of Jehovah"? What about so-called "apostates"? Are jws supposed to "extend love to those who act like his enemies"?
Q5. What does it mean to speak truth with our neighbor?
Yet, what did Paul mean when he said that we should speak truth with our neighbor? Speaking truth involves sharing information that is factual, free from any deceit. True Christians do not twist or misrepresent the facts so as to mislead others. They "abhor what is wicked" and "cling to what is good." (Rom. 12:9) In imitation of "the God of truth," we should strive to be honest and forthwright in all our dealings. (Ps. 15:1,2; 31:5) By choosing our words carefully, even embarrassing or uncomfortable situations can be tactfully resolved without resorting to guile.--Read Colossians 3:9,10.
COMMENTSSo was the WTS speaking truth when it sent a "non-letter" to the circuit overseer to be read only by him to the body of elders, not allowing the body to make a copy, when the WTS changed the policy from disfellowshipping jws for taking a blood transfusion to DISASSOCIATING jws for that? There is nothing in writing not in any publications available to the public, jws, or the elders.
What other "facts" has the WTS misrepresented? The light dawned on me with this statement and the following statement in the Proclaimers book in the same year 1993. Had the WTS really consistently taught that Jesus' presence began in 1914?:
QUOTE
*** w93 1/15 p. 5 ‘Caught Away to Meet the Lord’—How? ***The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honesthearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus’ presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914.
*** jv chap. 28 p. 632 Testing and Sifting From Within ***Based on the premise that events of the first century might find parallels in related events later, they also concluded that if Jesus’ baptism and anointing in the autumn of 29 C.E. paralleled the beginning of an invisible presence in 1874, then his riding into Jerusalem as King in the spring of 33 C.E. would point to the spring of 1878 as the time when he would assume his power as heavenly King.
*** Man's Salvation chap. 16 p. 287 par. 12 Awaiting the “New Heavens and a New Earth” ***
According to an inaccurate chronology that had been worked out from the King James Authorized Version Bible, Russell calculated that Christ’s “presence” had begun in the year 1874 C.E., unseen to human eyes and seen only by the eye of faith. This was why, when he began publishing a new religious magazine in defense of the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, Russell entitled it “Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence.”
Q6,7. (a) Does being truthful mean that we must disclose even personal details to every inquirer? Explain. (b) who merits our trust in our speaking truth?
IS THIS PART A STRAWMAN?
Description of Straw Man
The Straw Man fallacy is committed when a person simply ignores a person's actual position and substitutes a distorted, exaggerated or misrepresented version of that position. This sort of "reasoning" has the following pattern:
Person A has position X.
Person B presents position Y (which is a distorted version of X).
Person B attacks position Y.
Therefore X is false/incorrect/flawed.
6. Does being truthful with others mean that we must disclose every detail to whoever asks us a question? Not necessarily. While on earth, Jesus demonstrated that some people are undeserving or a direct answer of certain information. When hypocritical religious leaders asked him by what power or authority he performed signs and miracles, Jesus said: "I will ask you one question. You answer me, and I will also tell you by what authority I do these things."(Mark 11:27-33)He did not feel obligated to answer the question in view of their corrupt practices and faithless example. (Matt. 12:10-13; 23:27,28) Similarly today, Jehovah's people need to be on guard against apostates and other wicked men who use trickery or cunning for selfish purposes.--Matt. 10:16; Eph. 4:14.
COMMENTSSo can't a person say they aren't going to give that information without giving false information? Was Jesus lying because he refused to give them any information? Would it be lying if he had given them partial information, purposely leaving out data that would give a false impression, yes, but he did not do that. Notice below it says "Christian brothers. In dealing wih them we...tactfully remind them that what they seek to know does not concern them" no need to give personal details..all part of Theocratic War Strategy.
Earlier the WTS said that jws could talk to "those who act like enemies." Why not "apostates or other wicked men"?
QUOTES
*** w57 5/1 p. 285 Use Theocratic War Strategy ***In this she had good Scriptural precedent. Did not Rahab hide the Israelite spies by both action and word? Did not Abraham, Isaac, David and others likewise hide the truth at times when faced with a hostile enemy? They certainly did, and never do we read a word of censure for their doing so. Rather, we read of their being termed exemplary servants of Jehovah. Their actions were in line with Jesus’ wise counsel: “Look! I am sending you forth as sheep amidst wolves; therefore prove yourselves cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves.”—Matt. 10:16, NW. Perhaps some will wonder as to where the line is to be drawn between use of theocratic war strategy in hiding the truth and the telling of lies. First of all, let it be noted that whenever one takes an oath to tell the truth he is obligated to do so. By dedicating himself to do God’s will each Christian has taken a vow or made an oath to do God’s will and to be faithful to him. To this oath he certainly must be true. Likewise, when a Christian is placed on a witness stand he is obligated to speak the truth if he speaks at all.At times he may prefer to refuse to speak and suffer the consequences rather than betray his brothers or the interests of God’s work. And, of course, there is no occasion for use of war strategy when dealing with our Christian brothers. In dealing with them we tell the truth or tactfully remind them that what they seek to know does not concern them.
Lies are untruths told for selfish reasons and which work injury to others. Satan told a lie to Eve that worked great harm to her and all the human race. Ananias and Sapphira told lies for selfish reasons. But hiding the truth, which he is not entitled to know, from an enemy does not harm him, especially when he would use such information to harm others who are innocent.
7. Paul likewise indicated that some people may not be entitled to receive a full or complete answer. He said that "gossipers and meddlers in other people's affairs" are "talking of things they ought not." (1 Tim. 5:13) Yes, those who pry into the affairs of others or those who cannot be trusted to keep a confidence may find that others are reluctant to share personal information with them. How much better it is to heed Paul's inspired counsel: "Make it your aim to live quietly and to mind your own business." (1 Thess. 4:11) At times, however, congregation elders may need to ask questions about personal matters in order to carry out their assigned duties. In such a case, our cooperation in speaking truth is much appreciated and is a great help.--1 Pet. 5:2.
COMMENTSLet's look at that scripture in full (1 Tim. 5:13) and see if it says that "some people may not be entitled to receive a full or complete answer. Who are the true gossipers and meddlers in the congregation? Can elders "be trusted to keep a confidence"? Most cannot, they either tell other elders which only takes one telling his wife and/or children to spread it across a congregation or a circuit. Is it no wonder that the rank and file are "reluctant to share personal information with them." One sister told the elders that she would rather stand on the stage and tell everyone at the meeting herself so that everyone would get the accurate information at one time.
Yes and elders feel they can ask detailed sexual questions of sisters accused of sexual immorality, questions they don't ask brothers. "Did you give oral sex; did you enjoy it; how long did you touch his penis; how many times did you have intercourse?"
http://jwfacts.com/watchtower/experiences/sundawn.php
(1 Timothy 5:13) At the same time they also learn to be unoccupied, gadding about to the houses; yes, not only unoccupied, but also gossipers and meddlers in other people’s affairs, talking of things they ought not.
Speak Truth in Family Matters
Q 8. How does speaking truth help family members to draw close to one another?
8. Normally it is with our family that we have the closest bond. To strengthen this bond, it is vital that we speak truth with one another. Many problems and misunderstandings can be reduced or eliminated by being open, honest, and kind in our communication. For example, when we make a mistake, do we hesitate to acknowledge it to our mate, to our children, or to other close family members? Offering a sincere apology from the heart helps to promote peace and unity within the family.--Read 1 Peter 3:8-10.
COMMENTSSo how many jws don't talk to family who are not even df'd or da'd? If jws see that the elders and the WTS don't acknowledge their mistakes, will family members? Not at all!This used to give me hope when I was still attending; how could jws ignore this clear counsel; but they did, over and over.
What is a sincere apology? I would hear, "I'm sorry sister that this upset you," never admitting they did anything to upset me. Who does the following describe? The elders, jws?
QUOTES
*** w05 3/1 p. 6 The Benefits of Making Peace ***Pride deludes people, making them believe they are better than others.Haughty ones feel that they have the authority to judge the moral value of their fellowman. In what way? When disagreements arise, they often view their antagonists as lost causes, beyond hope of improvement. Pride moves some people to judge those who differ with them as undeserving of attention, let alone a sincere apology. Hence, those driven by personal pride often allow conflicts to continue rather than resolve them properly.
Q 9. Why does speaking truth not justify our being blunt or rude?
9. Speaking truth does not mean that we should be blunt, tactless. Being rude does not increase the value of the truth or its impact. Paul said: "Let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from you along with all badness. But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you." (Eph. 4:31, 32) When we speak in a kind and dignified manner, it elevates our message and shows honor to those to whom we speak.--Matt. 23:12.
COMMENTSSo how many of us had elders talk to us bluntly without tact with the elders viewing themselves an better than us. My husband was told at every elders meeting that they were the "mighty men" and had more holy spirit than those in the congregation. I can remember several elders screaming at me during a shepherding call in which the other elder calmed them down and "apologized." How kind or dignified was that? And not a loud word from me.
Speak Truth in Congregation Matters
Q 10. What can Christian elders learn from Jesus' excellent example in speaking truth?
10. Jesus spoke to his disciples in a simple, forthright manner. His counsel was always loving, yet he did not water down the truth to appease his listeners. (John 15:9-12) For instance, when his apostles repeatedly argued among themselves as to who was greater, Jesus firmly, but patiently helped them to understand the need for humility. (Mark 9:33-37; Luke 9:46-48; 22:24-27; John 13: 14) Similarly, while firm for righteousness, Christian elders today do not lord it over God's flock. (Mark 10:42-44) They imitate Christ by being "kind to one another" and "tenderly compassionate" in their dealings with others.
COMMENTSSo were these elders just being simple and forthright at the top of their lungs. Was that loving, what Jesus would have done? Was that showing firmness and patience, by screaming in my face? Were they demonstrating Christlike humility? Were they imitating Christ by being tenderly compassionate? Lord it over others by being called "glorious ones" and "gifts in men" and "mighty men" worthy of double honor?
Q 11. Love for our brothers should move us to do what in the way we use our tongue?
11. By being candid with our brothers but not overly frank, we can express what is on our mind without being offensive. Indeed, never would we want our tongue to be "sharpened like a razor," using it to inflict painful wounds with abusive or degrading speech. (Ps. 52:2; Prov. 12:18) Love for our brothers will move us to "safeguard [our] tongue against what is bad, and [our] lips against speaking deception."(Ps. 34:13) In this way, we honor God and promote unity in the congregation.
COMMENTSSo only love for our "brothers"? Not sisters?
How are elders and other jws offensive--by labeling and judging others.
Q 12. When does lying warrant judicial action? Explain.
12. Elders work diligently to protect the congregation from those who tell malicious lies. (Read James 3:14-16.) A malicious lie is told with a view to harming someone; its purpose is to make the person suffer in some way or experience distress. It involves more than making petty, misleading statements or exaggerating the facts. Of course, all lying is wrong, but not every case of untruthfulness requires judicial action. Hence, elders need to use balance, reasonableness, and good judgment when determining if a person who has made statements that are untrue has established a pattern of deliberate, malicious lying that would require judicial action. Or would firm, loving admonition from the Scriptures suffice?
COMMENTSWho protects us from the elders who tell malicious lies? Why are misleading statements and exaggerating the facts discounted? Isn't that really what most gossip and harmful likes consist of? Do people who tell lies have no desire to cause harm? "of course all lying is wrong"!!!! When does a lie require judicial action? Ever hear of a jw being df'd for lying? What if the elder is a liar...what if they tar people with a bad reputation?
Speak Truth in Business Dealings
Q 13, 14. (a) How do some people fail to be truthful with their employer? (b) What good result can come from being honest and truthful at work?
13. We are living in an age of rampant dishonesty, so it may be difficult to resist the temptation to be less than honest with an employer. When applying for a job, many resort to outright lies. They may, for instance, exaggerate their experience or education on a resume in order to obtain a better or higher-paying job. On the other hand, many employees claim to be working when they are actually attending to personal matters, though that is contrary to company rules. They may be reading material unrelated to their job, making personal phone calls, sending personal electronic messages, or browsing the Internet.
COMMENTSWhy does the WTS capitalize the "Internet" as if personalizing it? Once again the WTS labels the whole world one of "rampant dishonesty" as if only jws are honest. We who were honest know how dishonest jws are in their business dealings, not paying taxes, not keeping agreements, short paying jw employees, know that jws aren't allowed to take any legal action. One of the worst offenders where I work are 2 jws that spend more time on the internet, reading, and making personal phone calls that I was approached as to their behavior and if it was typical of jws. And these same jws were bringing action against the employers because they would not let them display jw publications openly.
14. True Christians do not view being honest and truthful as something 'optional' (Read Proverbs 6:16-19.) Paul said: "We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things." (Heb. 13:18) Thus, Christians give their employer a full day's work for a full day's pay.(Eph. 6:5-8) Being a conscientious worker can also bring praise to our heavenly Father. (1 Pet. 2:12) For example, Roberto's employer in Spain commended him for being an honest and responsible worker. As a result of Roberto's fine conduct, the company hired additional Witnesses. These too proved to be excellent workers. Over the years, Roberto found employment for 23 baptized brothers and 8 Bible students!
COMMENTSTrue Christians--only jws.
Based on the story above, my employers were not moved to hire jws. So out of 31 people not a one proved to be a bad employee? He must have screened them carefully.
Q 15. How should a Christian businessman demonstrate that he speaks truth?
15. If self-employed, are we truthful in all our business dealings, or do we sometimes fail to speak truth with our neighbor? A Christian businessman should not misrepresent a product or service in order to make a quick sale; neither should he offer bribes or accept payoffs. We want to treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated.--Prov. 11:1; Luke 6:31.
COMMENTSI know of many jw business people who did not pay self-employment taxes or for their employees who are still paying off the IRS because of the jw employer's duplicity. I know of jws who have misrepresented products, telling jws that if they want to stay healthy and serve God they must use them.
Speak Truth With Governmental Authorities
Q 16. What do Christians render to (a) governmental authorities? (b) Jehovah?
16. Jesus said: "Pay back, therefore, Caesar's things to Caesar, but God's things to God." (Matt. 22:21) What sort of "things" do we owe Caesar, that is, the governmental authorities? When Jesus uttered those words, the discussion centered on taxes. So to maintain a clean conscience before God and men, Christians obey the laws of the land, including those pertaining to the paying of taxes. (Rom. 13:5, 6) But we recognize that Jehovah is the Supreme Sovereign, the only true God, whom we love with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30; Rev. 4:11) We therefore render to Jehovah God submission without reservation.--Read Psalm 86: 11, 12.
COMMENTSWhy did the WTS have to be taken to court to pay workers compensation (New York) or retirement (Spain) then?
Q17. How do Jehovah's people view receiving public assistance?
17. Many countries offer social programs or services to help those in need of material support. There is nothing wrong with a Christian's receiving such assistance-provided that he qualifies. Speaking truth with our neighbor would rule out giving false or misleading information to govermental authorities in order to receive public assistance.
COMMENTSHow many jws did I know that took welfare to regular pioneer when they could work full-time, sisters who took child welfare for 5 years; or brothers on disability who worked a kingdom hall builds?
Blessings From Being Truthful
Q18-20. What blessings result from being truthful with our neighbor?
18. The blessings from being truthful are many. We maintain a clean conscience, which gives us peace of mind and a calm heart. (Prov. 14:30; Phil. 4:6, 7) Having a clean conscience is of great value in the eyes of God. Also, when we are truthful in all things, we do not need to worry about being found out, or exposed, by humans.--1 Tim. 5:24.
COMMENTSSo all the untruthful elders I have known were rightly told by me that they could hide from humans but not God.
19. Consider another blessing. Paul said: "In every way we recommend ourselves as God's ministers, ... by truthful speech." (2 Cor. 6:4, 7) This certainly proved to be the case with a Witness living in Britain. Attempting to sell a car to a prospective buyer, he described all its good points as well as its faults, including those that could not be seen. After taking the car for a test drive, the buyer asked the brother if he was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Why did he draw that conclusion? The man had taken note of the brother's honesty as well as his neat appearance. The ensuing discussion led to a fine witness being given.
COMMENTSSo is the WTS suggesting that not a single non-jw could be just as truthful or that a jw could not be duplicitous?
20. Do we likewise bring praise to our Creator by our good moral character? Paul said: "We have renounced the underhanded things of which to be ashamed, not walking with cunning." (2 Cor. 4:2) Hence, let us do our utmost to speak truth with our neighbor. In so doing, we will bring glory to our heavenly Father and to his people.
COMMENTSSo what about the murderers, child molesters, defrauders that have made the media; not including those that hide what they are from humans.
How Would You Answer? • Who is our neighbor?
• What does it mean to speak truth with our neighbor?
• How can being truthful bring glory to God?
• What blessings result from being truthful?
CONCLUDING COMMENTSNext week, "The Faithful Steward and Its Governing Body." Notice that this week's article is based on Luke 12:42 instead of Matthew 24:45-47. On researching past articles from my early days and memories, how much of this is new or a reminder?
Love, Blondie