*** lv chap. 14 pp. 160-163 Be Honest in All Things ***
Chapter 14
Be Honest in All Things
"We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things."-HEBREWS 13:18.
Q1, 2. Why is Jehovah pleased when he sees our efforts to be honest? Illustrate.A MOTHER and her little boy leave a store together. Suddenly, the child stops, a look of shock on his face. In his hand he is holding a small toy that he picked up in the store. He forgot to put it back or to ask his mother if she would buy it. He cries out to her, distressed. She reassures him and takes him back into the store so that he can return the item and apologize. As he does so, the mother's heart swells with joy and pride. Why?
2 Few things delight parents more than seeing that their children are learning the importance of honesty. And so it is with our heavenly Father, "the God of truth." (Psalm 31:5) As he watches us grow to spiritual maturity, he is pleased to see us striving to be honest. Because we want to please him and remain in his love, we echo the sentiments expressed by the apostle Paul: "We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things." (Hebrews 13:18) Let us focus on four main areas of life in which we may at times find it a special challenge to be honest. Then we will consider some of the blessings that come as a result.
How does the WTS not have a conscience - counseling others about honesty whilst dishonestly whitewashing its own history of failed prophecy? Eg
***w93 1/15 p.5 'Caught Away to Meet the Lord'-How?***The Watchtower has consistently presented evidence to honest hearted students of Bible prophecy that Jesus' presence in heavenly Kingdom power began in 1914
Really?
*** ka chap. 11 pp. 209-210 par. 55 "Here Is the Bridegroom!" ***55 In the year 1943 the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society published the book "The Truth Shall Make You Free." In its chapter 11, entitled "The Count of Time," it did away with the insertion of 100 years into the period of the Judges and went according to the oldest and most authentic reading of Acts 13:20, and accepted the spelled-out numbers of the Hebrew Scriptures. This moved forward the end of six thousand years of man's existence into the decade of the 1970's. Naturally this did away with the year 1874 C.E. as the date of return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the beginning of his invisible presence or parousia.
HONESTY WITH OURSELVES
Q3-5. (a) How does God's Word warn us about the dangers of self-deception? (b) What will help us to be honest with ourselves?3 Our first challenge is to learn to be honest with ourselves. It is very easy for us as imperfect humans to succumb to self-deception. For instance, Jesus told the Christians in Laodicea that they had fooled themselves into thinking that they were rich when, in fact, they were "poor and blind and naked" spiritually-a truly pitiable state. (Revelation 3:17) Their self-deception only made their situation more dangerous.
Self deception is an adequate description for the WTS. As Raymond Franz said, they "are victims of victims, and followers of followers." If only they could see how well Rev 3:17 describes their "truly pitiable state."
4 You may recall, too, that the disciple James warned: "If any man seems to himself to be a formal worshiper and yet does not bridle his tongue, but goes on deceiving his own heart, this man's form of worship is futile." (James 1:26) If we were to reason that we could misuse our tongue and still worship Jehovah acceptably, we would succeed only in deceiving our own heart. Our worship of Jehovah would be futile, an u
Congregation "Bible Study" Comments - Week Commencing 14 December 2009
by LUKEWARM 6 Replies latest watchtower bible
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LUKEWARM
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LUKEWARM
4 You may recall, too, that the disciple James warned: "If any man seems to himself to be a formal worshiper and yet does not bridle his tongue, but goes on deceiving his own heart, this man's form of worship is futile." (James 1:26) If we were to reason that we could misuse our tongue and still worship Jehovah acceptably, we would succeed only in deceiving our own heart. Our worship of Jehovah would be futile, an utter waste. What can keep us from such a sad course?
Judging by what James said, the WTS worship of God is "futile, an utter waste" because they have been misusing their tongue since 1879 - adding to the Bible, claiming to speak in the name of God but saying they are not inspired at the same time!
*** w08 12/15 p. 28 Highlights From the Letters of John and of Jude ***
Our coming to know "the truth"-the entire body of Christian teachings that has become part of the Bible-and adhering to it are essential for our salvation.-3 John 3, 4.
*** w90 10/1 p. 30 Do You Follow Instructions? ***
We should follow the instructions that the Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus Christ, gives through "the faithful and discreet slave," the appointed channel of God's organization here on earth. (Matthew 24:45-47; Ephesians 5:23)
*** rs p. 136 False Prophets ***
Have not Jehovah's Witnesses made errors in their teachings?
Jehovah's Witnesses do not claim to be inspired prophets. They have made mistakes.
5 In that same passage, James likens the truth of God's word to a mirror. He advises us to peer into God's perfect law and make adjustments accordingly. (James 1:23-25) The Bible can help us to be honest with ourselves and to see what we need to do to improve. (Lamentations 3:40; Haggai 1:5) We may also pray to Jehovah and ask him to examine us, helping us to see and to address any serious flaws. (Psalm 139:23, 24) Dishonesty is an insidious weakness, and we need to view it as our heavenly Father does. Proverbs 3:32 says: "The devious person is a detestable thing to Jehovah, but His intimacy is with the upright ones." Jehovah can help us to feel as he does and to see ourselves as he sees us. Remember that Paul said: "We wish to conduct ourselves honestly." We cannot be perfect now, but we sincerely desire and earnestly seek to be honest.
For a JW, is it the Bible or the WTS that is the final authority?
*** w01 8/1 p. 14 par. 8 Make Your Advancement Manifest ***8 First, since "oneness" is to be observed, a mature Christian must be in unity and full harmony with fellow believers as far as faith and knowledge are concerned. He does not advocate or insist on personal opinions or harbor private ideas when it comes to Bible understanding. Rather, he has complete confidence in the truth as it is revealed by Jehovah God through his Son, Jesus Christ, and "the faithful and discreet slave." By regularly taking in the spiritual food provided "at the proper time"-through Christian publications, meetings, assemblies, and conventions...
"Dishonesty is an insidious weakness" - If only they took their own words to heart and worked to eradicate this "weakness" the WTS would not be publishing one standard for the public and another for their members, like:
*** w06 4/1 p. 4 Understanding the Bible-A Pleasure Open to You ***The Bible is the Word of God. In it God expresses his will to us. Would God provide a book that is impossible to comprehend or that is understandable only to highly educated people? No, Jehovah would not be so unkind. Christ Jesus said: "Which father is there among you -
LUKEWARM
*** w06 4/1 p. 4 Understanding the Bible-A Pleasure Open to You ***The Bible is the Word of God. In it God expresses his will to us. Would God provide a book that is impossible to comprehend or that is understandable only to highly educated people? No, Jehovah would not be so unkind. Christ Jesus said: "Which father is there among you who, if his son asks for a fish, will perhaps hand him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he also asks for an egg, will hand him a scorpion? Therefore, if you, although being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more so will the Father in heaven give holy spirit to those asking him!" (Luke 11:11-13) Thus, you can be sure that an understanding of the Bible is well within your reach and that if you ask God sincerely, he will provide the help you need to understand his Word. Why, basic Bible teachings can be grasped and appreciated even by children!-2 Timothy 3:15.*** w94 10/1 p. 8 The Bible-A Book Meant to Be Understood ***All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave.-John 6:68.
HONESTY IN THE FAMILY
Q6. Why do marriage mates need to be honest with each other, and what dangers do they thus avoid?6 Honesty should be a hallmark of the Christian family. Husband and wife, then, must be open and honest with each other. There is no room in a Christian marriage for such hurtful, unclean practices as flirting with those outside the marriage, cultivating clandestine relationships via the Internet, or using pornography in any form. Some married Christians have taken up such wrong conduct while concealing it from an innocent mate. Doing so is dishonest. Notice the words of faithful King David: "I have not sat with men of untruth; and with those who hide what they are I do not come in." (Psalm 26:4) If you are married, never engage in conduct that might tempt you to hide what you are from your mate!
Is there no NT example for Christians? How is David - a murderer and adulterer - an example for married couples?
Q7, 8. What Bible examples can help children to learn the value of honesty?7 In teaching their children the value of honesty, parents are wise to make use of Bible examples. On the negative side, there are such accounts as that of Achan, who stole and attempted to cover his theft; Gehazi, who lied for the sake of financial gain; and Judas, who stole and lied spitefully to harm Jesus.-Joshua 6:17-19; 7:11-25; 2 Kings 5:14-16, 20-27; Matthew 26:14, 15; John 12:6.
8 On the positive side, there are such accounts as that of Jacob, who urged his sons to return money they found in their bags because he felt that it might have been put there by mistake; that of Jephthah and his daughter, who honored her father's vow at great personal sacrifice; and that of Jesus, who bravely identified himself before a vicious mob in order to fulfill prophecy and protect his friends. (Genesis 43:12; Judges 11:30-40; John 18:3-11) This partial list may give parents a taste of the riches found in God's Word that can help them teach their children to love and value honesty.
Q9. What should parents avoid if they want to set an example of honesty for their children, and why is such an example important?9 Such teaching places an important obligation on parents. The apostle Paul asked: "Do you, however, the one teaching someone else, not teach yourself? You, the one preaching 'Do not steal,' do you steal?" (Romans 2:21) Some parents confuse their children by teaching about honesty while acting dishonestly themselves. They may justify petty theft -
LUKEWARM
Q9. What should parents avoid if they want to set an example of honesty for their children, and why is such an example important?9 Such teaching places an important obligation on parents. The apostle Paul asked: "Do you, however, the one teaching someone else, not teach yourself? You, the one preaching 'Do not steal,' do you steal?" (Romans 2:21) Some parents confuse their children by teaching about honesty while acting dishonestly themselves. They may justify petty theft and deceptive words with such excuses as "Oh, they expect people to take these things" or "That was just a little white lie, a fib." In reality, stealing is stealing, regardless of the value of the item stolen, and lying is lying, regardless of the subject matter or the scope of the untruth. (Luke 16:10) Children are quick to detect hypocrisy and may be seriously damaged by it. (Ephesians 6:4) However, when they learn honesty from their parents' examples, they may well grow up to glorify Jehovah in this dishonest world.-Proverbs 22:6.
How is the WTS an example in this regard? They preach honesty but examples abound of hypocrisy and dishonesty. -
teel
Thanks for the comments. The title itself is deception - Be Honest in All Things - that "All" refers to anything that won't make the WTS look bad. As soon as it comes to protecting the Society, you are expected to lie and cover up things, lest you bring reproach to Jehovah's organization.
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WTWizard
Suppose I practice fully integrated honesty, the highest kind of honesty, in the organization. That means that, if I see something in a washtowel that blatantly contradicts the Bible or another recent publication, I have to point out the contradiction and put them on the spot to decide which it will be (and expose the contradiction in front of the congregation). If something is blatantly wrong according to the Bible or common sense, I go by the Bible or common sense instead of the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger. If the hounders tell me something and then contradict themselves, or contradict what was recently said from the platform, they get it rubbed in their faces that they just contradicted themselves.
On top of that, I would be honest as to what happens to money that is donated. Householders would be told where it actually goes. Anyone that is interested would get a full list of all the rules, along with the statement that they would have to obey rules that are subject to change without notice, if they joined. This includes shunning family members, dying in lieu of something that the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger has a vendetta against this year, and wasting all your time peddling littera-trash that tells people how to peddle littera-trash and find more time to peddle littera-trash. All your money would be for the Worldwide Pedophile Defense Fund. And, if you are caught reading anything critical of the organization, you could expect an all-expense paid trip to the back room.
Something tells me that fully integrated honesty is not acceptable in the religion. Fully integrated honesty means telling the truth even if it is embarrassing. Fully integrated honesty means integrating knowledge, even if your former belief system is completely shot to pieces. Fully integrated honesty means doing all you can to make sure your teachings abide by whatever source you claim they do, or to adjust your teachings (and be honest about this adjustment) if your sources prove errant. No, it doesn't mean you are not allowed to make mistakes. But, once you realize a basic belief of yours is errant, you do all you can to remedy the situation. Your beliefs may have to change at that point. But, they change because of new information and direct observation, not because the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger tells you.
And fully integrated honesty means that, if you can prove a viewpoint wrong, you change your teaching IMMEDIATELY and abide by and teach the corrected viewpoint. It means not waiting for the Filthful and Disgraceful Slavebugger to make the correction. Compare THAT with the Sept 2007 Kingdumb Misery.
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kurtbethel
A more accurate rendering of the title, consistent with the Watchtower style guide, would be Be Honest in All [Other] Things.