*** lv chap. 17 pp. 196-205 "Building Up Yourselves on Your Most Holy Faith" ***
Q11, 12. (a) What did Paul say about the "perceptive powers" of a Christian, and what is the meaning of the word rendered "trained"? (b) What training must the body undergo in order to mature and become physically adept?11 Spirituality and maturity come through training. Consider this verse: "Solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:14) When Paul spoke of our perceptive powers being "trained," he used a Greek word that was likely in common use in the gymnasiums of first-century Greece, for it can be rendered 'trained like a gymnast.' Now think of what such training involves.
12 When we were born, our body was untrained. For example, a baby is barely able to perceive the orientation of its little limbs. Hence, a baby waves its arms randomly, even striking itself on the face, much to the baby's own dismay and surprise. Gradually, through use, the body is trained. The baby crawls, the toddler walks, the child runs. Ah, but what about a gymnast? When you see such an athlete vaulting and twisting through the air with exquisite grace and precision, there is no question in your mind that the body is like a finely tuned machine. The gymnast's expertise did not come about by accident-countless hours of training were required. Such bodily training, the Bible acknowledges, is "beneficial for a little." How much more valuable is the training of our spiritual perceptive powers!-1 Timothy 4:8.
"...valuable is the training of our spiritual perceptive powers" = keeping up with and practicing the WTS ever changing evolution of "the truth" is their definition of spirituality and maturity.
[Footnote] Scientists say that we develop a special sense called proprioception, which is the body's sense of its own orientation and the placement of the limbs. For example, this sense enables you to clap your hands with your eyes closed. One adult patient who lost her proprioception was unable to stand, walk, or even sit up as a result.
Q13. How can we train our perceptive powers?13 In this book, we have discussed much that will help you to train your perceptive powers so that you can remain faithful to Jehovah as a spiritual person. Prayerfully consider divine principles and laws as you make decisions in your day-to-day life. In every decision you face, ask yourself: 'What Bible laws or principles bear on this matter? How can I apply them? What course will please my heavenly Father?' (Proverbs 3:5, 6; James 1:5) Each decision you make in that way will further train your perceptive powers. Such training will help you to become and remain a truly spiritual person.
"faithful to Jehovah as a spiritual person" = obedience to the Talmud of the WTS
Are JW's really taught to think "What Bible laws or principles bear on this matter?" or what do the publications of the WTS say?
"...become and remain a truly spiritual person" = becoming a JW and keeping up with their program of worship
Q14. We need to acquire what appetite in order to grow spiritually, yet what caution do we need to keep in mind?14 While maturity is attainable, there is always room for spiritual growth. Growth is dependent on food. Paul thus noted: "Solid food belongs to mature people." A key to building up your faith is to keep taking in solid spiritual food. As you rightly apply what you learn, that is wisdom, and the Bible says: "Wisdom is the prime thing." Thus, we need to develop a genuine hunger for the precious truths our Father imparts. (Proverbs 4:5-7; 1 Peter 2:2) Of course, gaining knowledge and godly wisdom is no reason to become smug or haughty. We need to examine ourselves regularly lest pride or some other weakness takes root and grows in our heart. Paul wrote: "Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are."-2 Corinthians 13:5.
How does one get access to "solid food"?
*** w85 6/15 p. 12 par. 17 Digging Deeper Into God's Word ***
God reveals such deep things "through his spirit," which active force acts powerfully upon the anointed Christians appointed by Christ Jesus to provide spiritual food. We should be truly thankful for the spiritual digging that the "slave" class does to make clearer and clearer for us "the hidden depths of God's purposes."
Does "Keep testing whether you are in the faith" apply to JW's? Consider how the WTS apply what the Beroeans did in "carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so", to JW's:*** w81 2/15 pp. 18-19 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? ***
But does this mean that those Beroeans were looking for flaws in the message they were hearing, or that their attitude was one of doubting? Does this set a precedent for regarding critically the publications brought forth by the "faithful and discreet slave," with a view to finding fault? Not at all!First of all, let us note the setting of the statement about the noble-minded Beroeans. Paul, accompanied by Silas, was on his second missionary tour. Due to persecution that arose, the brothers at Thessalonica sent them on to Beroea. In Beroea they met sincere Jews who had strong faith in God's Word. These were not Christians yet. They were simply interested persons who had to satisfy themselves that what Paul was telling them had the support of the Hebrew Scriptures.Up to this time, these devout Jews in Beroea may never have heard of Jesus Christ. What Paul was telling them was entirely new. So those noble-minded Jews in Beroea searched the Scriptures daily to make certain that the references that Paul gave were really part of God's Word. And with what mental attitude did they pursue their studies? With a skeptical attitude, trying to prove Paul wrong? No, they were altogether unlike Paul's critics on Mars Hill, for we read that they heard Paul's testimony with "the greatest eagerness of mind."-Acts 17:11, 32.
Jesus' disciples wrote many letters to Christian congregations, to persons who were already in "the way of the truth." (2 Pet. 2:2) But nowhere do we read that those brothers first, in a skeptical frame of mind, checked the Scriptures to make certain that those letters had Scriptural backing, that the writers really knew what they were talking about.
Q15. Why is love essential to spiritual growth?15 Construction of a house may be completed, yet work goes on. Maintenance and repairs are essential, and additions may be necessary as circumstances change. What do we need in order to mature and to maintain our spirituality? Above all, love. We need to keep growing in love for Jehovah and for our fellow believers. If we do not have love, all our knowledge and works would amount to nothing-like a lot of empty noise. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) With love, we can attain Christian maturity and continue growing spiritually.
"...love for Jehovah" = adhering closely to theocratic law as set out by the WTS
"...love for our fellow believers" - Didn't Jesus say to love all even enemies?
KEEP YOUR MIND FOCUSED ON THE HOPE JEHOVAH PROVIDES
Q16. Satan promotes what kind of thinking, and what defense has Jehovah provided?16 Let us consider one more aspect of your building project. In order to build yourself up as a genuine follower of Christ, you need to guard the way you think. Satan, the ruler of this world, is a master at getting people to give in to negative thinking, pessimism, distrust, and despair. (Ephesians 2:2) Such thinking is as dangerous to a Christian as dry rot is to a wooden building. Happily, Jehovah provides a vital defensive tool-hope.
"...guard the way you think...Satan, the ruler of this world, is a master at getting people to give in to negative thinking...Such thinking is as dangerous to a Christian..." Is the WTS exercising thought control here? http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/articles/BITE.htm
Q17. How does God's Word illustrate the importance of hope?17 The Bible lists the various parts of the suit of spiritual armor we need in our fight against Satan and this world. A prominent piece of the armor is the helmet, "the hope of salvation." (1 Thessalonians 5:8) A soldier in Bible times knew that he would not last long in battle without his helmet. Often made of metal and fitted over a cap of felt or leather, the helmet ensured that most blows directed at the head would glance off with little harm done. As a helmet protects the head, hope can protect your mind, your thinking.
Who is "this world" referring to? Do they mean the 6 billion non JW's who the WTS teach will be destroyed by God?
*** jv chap. 12 p. 170 The Great Crowd to Live in Heaven? Or on Earth? ***
The Scriptures strongly support the conclusion that at Armageddon Jehovah will destroy the peoples of the earth, saving only those who obey his commandments to stand by his organization.
Q18, 19. Jesus set what example in maintaining hope, and how can we imitate him?18 Jesus set the prime example in maintaining hope. Remember what he endured on the final night of his life on earth. An intimate friend betrayed him for money. Another denied even knowing him. The others abandoned him and fled. His own countrymen turned against him, crying out for his death by torture at the hands of Roman soldiers. It seems safe to say that Jesus faced heavier trials than we will ever face. What helped him? Hebrews 12:2 answers: "For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus never lost sight of "the joy that was set before him."
So the average JW needs to compare his own situation with the perfect 2IC of the universe?
19 What joy was set before Jesus? Well, he knew that by enduring, he would contribute to the sanctification of Jehovah's holy name. He would provide the greatest possible proof that Satan is a liar. No hope could give Jesus greater joy! He knew, too, that Jehovah would richly reward his faithful course-that just ahead of him lay a wonderful time when he would be reunited with his Father. Jesus kept such a joyful hope in his mind throughout the worst of times. We need to do the same. We too have joy set before us. Jehovah dignifies each of us with the privilege of helping to sanctify his great name. We can prove Satan a liar by choosing Jehovah as our Sovereign and keeping ourselves safe in the love of our Father no matter what trials and temptations we may face.
Why is Jesus not recorded using the name Jehovah if his purpose was to "contribute to the sanctification of Jehovah's holy name"?
Are JW's "...helping to sanctify his great name" or the WTS endorsement of the best known English pronunciation of YHWH?
*** it-2 p. 5 Jehovah ***
"Jehovah" is the best known English pronunciation of the divine name, although "Yahweh" is favored by most Hebrew scholars.... Since certainty of pronunciation is not now attainable, there seems to be no reason for abandoning in English the well-known form "Jehovah" in favor of some other suggested pronunciation.
"...prove Satan a liar by choosing Jehovah as our Sovereign and keeping ourselves safe in the love of our Father..." = being in the WTS organization
*** w92 11/15 p. 21 par. 12 Serve Jehovah Loyally ***
We will be impelled to serve Jehovah loyally with his organization if we remember that there is nowhere else to go for life eternal.20. What can help you to keep your thinking positive and hopeful?20 Jehovah is not just willing to reward his faithful servants-he is eager to do so. (Isaiah 30:18; Malachi 3:10) He delights in granting his servants the righteous desires of their heart. (Psalm 37:4) So keep your mind firmly focused on the hope that lies before you. Never give in to the negative, degraded, twisted thinking of Satan's old world. If you sense that the spirit of this world is making inroads into your mind or heart, pray fervently to Jehovah for "the peace of God that excels all thought." That God-given peace will guard your heart and your mental powers.-Philippians 4:6, 7.
More mind control - "Never give in to the negative, degraded, twisted thinking of Satan's old world. If you sense that the spirit of this world is making inroads into your mind or heart..."
Why does the WTS never elaborate what this "negative, degraded, twisted thinking of Satan's old world" exactly is? Is it that dangerous that it needs to remain hidden from their members?
Q21, 22. (a) What glorious hope do those of the "great crowd" cherish? (b) What part of the Christian hope means the most to you, and what is your resolve?21 What a thrilling hope you have to ponder! If you are part of the "great crowd," who will "come out of the great tribulation," think of the life that will soon open up before you. (Revelation 7:9, 14) With Satan and his demons out of the way, you will feel relief that may be hard to fathom now. Who of us, after all, has ever experienced life without the pressure of Satan's corrupting influence? With that pressure gone, what a joy it will be to work at transforming the earth into a paradise under the direction of Jesus and his 144,000 heavenly corulers! How we thrill at the prospect of seeing all sicknesses and infirmities done away with, of welcoming back our loved ones from the grave, of living life the way God meant us to live it! As we grow to perfection, an even greater reward will draw ever closer, the promise revealed at Romans 8:21-"the glorious freedom of the children of God."
"great crowd" = only JW's?
"...think of the life that will soon open up before you" - Soon, imminent, immediately ahead, at the threshold etc since 1879 C.E
Is the WTS sure they have the "great tribulation" doctrine right now considering they once taught it began in 1914 C.E and was temporarily interrupted in 1918 C.E?
*** w61 11/1 p. 671 Questions From Readers ***
The fulfillment of divine prophecy indicates that the last way is the one by which the "great tribulation" is cut short. According to the Bible, A.D. 1914 is a fixed date. It was fixed for the ending of the "appointed times of the nations" and for the birth of God's Messianic kingdom in the heavens. (Luke 21:24; Rev. 12:1-5) The birth of the Kingdom in the heavens meant the start of the war in heaven against the Devil and his unholy angels up there. By this war in heaven against the Devil's invisible organization the "great tribulation" began. Of course, it had its effects upon the visible part of Satan's organization here on earth. The war resulted in ousting the Devil and his demons from heaven and confining their area of activity to this earth. Their keeping active about the earth was not prevented, for the Devil and his demons were not abyssed on being confined to this earth. (Rev. 12:6-17) Thus for the time being the great tribulation upon Satan's organization was interrupted or discontinued. Evidently that occurred by A.D. 1918.22 Jehovah wants you to attain a greater measure of freedom than you can even imagine. The path to that freedom lies in obedience. Is it not worth every effort you can put forth now to obey Jehovah day by day? By all means, then, keep building up yourself on your most holy faith, that you may remain in God's love for all eternity!
"The path to that freedom lies in obedience" - obedience to whom? The WTS or to the simplicity of what Jesus left for Christians?
"Is it not worth every effort you can put forth now to obey Jehovah" = more behavioural control - guilting their members to obey the WTS http://www.freedomofmind.com/resourcecenter/articles/BITE.htm
"...remain in God's love" or WTS love?