Comments You Will Not Hear at the 01-08-2012 WT Study (NOVEMBER 15, 2011, pages 10-14)(WALK SPIRIT)
Review comments will be headed by COMMENTS
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g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
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FOR LIFE AND PEACE,
WALK IN ACCORD WITH
THE SPIRIT
“ Walk, not in accord with the flesh, but in accord
with the spirit.”—ROM. 8:4
OPENING COMMENTS
What does the WTS say is a gross sin? What is the punishment for nonrepentant jws?
START OF ARTICLE
1, 2. (a) What serious situation has resulted
from a person’s being distracted while driving?
(b) What danger can result from being distracted
spiritually?
“DISTRACTED driving is an epidemic and
it seems to be getting worse every
year.” That was the assessment of the U.S.
secretary of transportation. Cell phones are
among the devices that can distract the motorist
from the one thing he or she is supposed
to be doing—driving. Over one third
of the people interviewed in one survey said
that they had been hit or nearly hit by a vehicle with
a driver using a cell phone. Multitasking
while driving may seem to be expedient,
but the result can be disastrous.
COMMENTS
So where did the WTS get this survey, what year? Does this mean drivers were not distracted pre-cellphones?
“one survey” who conducted, and when?
2 The same could be true of our spiritual
well-being. Just as a distracted driver often
fails to notice signs of danger, a person who
is distracted spiritually can easily fall into
harm’s way. If we allow ourselves to drift
away from our Christian course and theocratic
activities, the result could be the shipwreck
of our faith. (1 Tim. 1:18, 19) The
apostle Paul warned of this danger when he
cautioned his fellow Christians in Rome:
“The minding of the flesh means death, but
the minding of the spirit means life and
peace.” (Rom. 8:6) What did Paul mean by
that? How can we avoid “the minding of the
flesh” and pursue “the minding of the
spirit”?
COMMENTS
What about jws that fail to notice the signs of dangers of pedophiles in their midst because the elders and the WTS conceal the problem?
“our Christian course” attending 5 meetings/2 days a week, full share of preaching = 10 hours a month, conduct a family inquisition once a week 1 to 4 hours a week. How many hours do jws spending reading the Bible compared to reading WTS publications?
“the minding of the flesh means death” and not minding the flesh by a minimum of healthy food, clean water, restful sleep….without those things death will ensure.
They “Have No Condemnation”
3, 4. (a) What personal struggle did Paul write
about? (b)Why should we be interested in Paul’s situation?
3 In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote
about a struggle he himself experienced—a
conflict between his flesh and his mind.
(Read Romans 7:21-23.) Paul was not indulging
in self-justification or self-pity, as
though he were so heavily laden with sin
that he could not help himself. After all,
he was a mature, spirit-anointed Christian,
chosen to be “an apostle to the nations.”
(Rom.1:1; 11:13) Why, then, did Paul write
about his personal struggle?
COMMENTS
“though he were so heavily laden with sin
that he could not help himself.”—this is the key phrase
Remember how often the WTS/GB/FDS/elders excuse their sins because they are “imperfect”? Remember this gems?
*** w103/15p.13par.14***
Thus, you need to respect the way Jesus directs those dedicated to Jehovah. Christ is using imperfect humans in the local congregation, particularly the spiritually older men, the appointed elders. The provision of having such men appointed is “with a view to the readjustment of the holy ones, . . . for the building up of the body of the Christ.” (Eph. 4:11, 12) Even if an imperfect human makes a mistake, Jesus as King of the heavenly Kingdom is able to handle the matter in his time and way. Do you believe that?
*** w10 12/15 p.20par. 20***
The “gifts in men” also include members of Branch Committees, traveling overseers, and congregation elders—all of whom have been appointed by holy spirit. (Acts 20:28) …Granted, like the rest of us, they are imperfect. Still, we bless ourselves when we respond appreciatively to their loving shepherding.—Heb. 13:7, 17.
*** w09 10/15 pp.16-17 par.18***
At times, we may find it a challenge to obey the Bible-based direction given to us by the local elders. We are likely aware of their imperfections, and this may distort our view of their counsel. Still, Christ, the Head of the congregation, is pleased to use these imperfect men. Therefore, the way we react to their authority directly influences our friendship with Christ. When we overlook the faults of the elders and joyfully follow their direction, we prove our love for Christ.
4 Paul was honestly acknowledging that
on his own, he was incapable of doing
God’s will to the extent that he himself desired.
The reason? “All have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God,” he said. (Rom. 3:
23) As a descendant of Adam, Paul was subject
to the effects of sin on the imperfect
flesh. We can relate to him because all of us
are imperfect and have to face similar struggles
every day. Moreover, there are many
distractions that could divert our attention
and take us off ‘the cramped road leading
into life.’ (Matt. 7:14) However, the situation
was not hopeless for Paul, and it is not
for us.
COMMENTS
But then here they pull out the “imperfect” clause………
Distractions—as defined by the WTS/GB/FDS
Are all distractions bad? Did the Levites have time for other things, such as providing materially for their family, drawing close in family love,... The Levites only served 2 weeks a year. Are jws not to have spouses, children, because Paul did not? The WTS even pointed out that Noah’s sons and daughter-in-laws did not have children before the flood. Is that a model for jws today?
As temple workers, David re-organized the Levites’ work schedules under his political authority. Levites served in 24 divisions, each serving at the temple only a week at a time, or about two weeks per year (1 Chron. 24 all; Luke 1:5-6)
*** w00 8/1 p.21***
Ours is a period similar to the time when Noah and his family constructed the gigantic ark that preserved them through the great Flood. (Genesis 6:13-16; Matthew 24:37) Although Noah’s three sons were all married, none fathered children until after the Deluge. One reason for that may have been that these couples wanted to devote their full attention and energy to the work at hand. Another may have been reluctance to bring children into a debased and violent world where “the badness of man was abundant . . . and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only bad all the time.”—Genesis 6:5.
While this does not imply that it is wrong to have children today , many Christian couples decline to have children so as to become more fully involved in the urgent work that Jehovah has given his people to do. Some couples have waited for a time before having children; others have decided to remain childless and consider the possibility of bearing children in Jehovah’s righteous new world. Is this shortsighted? Are they missing out on life? Are they to be pitied?
5. Where did Paul find help and relief?
5 Paul wrote: “Who will rescue me . . . ?
Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our
Lord!” (Rom. 7:24, 25) Then, he addressed
those “in union with Christ Jesus”—anointed
Christians. (Read Romans 8:1, 2.) By
means of his holy spirit, Jehovah adopts
them as sons, calling them to be “joint heirs
with Christ.” (Rom. 8:14-17) God’s spirit,
coupled with their faith in Christ’s ransom
sacrifice, enables them to come off victorious
in the struggle that Paul described and
thus “have no condemnation.” They are set
free “from the law of sin and of death.”
COMMENTS
How many non-anointed jws realize that they are not “sons of God” that their adoption does not take place until the end of the 1,000 year reign per the WTS? Since the “other sheep” do not become legitimate sons until then, they must be bastard sons until then. The WTS even says that God is at best their “grandfather” and Jesus their father. If you read the old WTS publications, you will see often the anointed referred to Jesus as an older brother, not a father.
*** w10 1/15 p.5***
Jesus’ “other sheep” will not become sons of God until the end of the thousand years. However, since they have dedicated themselves to God, they can properly address God as “Father” and can rightly be considered members of Jehovah’s family of worshippers.—John 10:16; Isa. 64:8; Matt. 6:9; Rev. 20:5.
*** w53 4/15 p.249 par.10***
With all prospects of life resting on God’s provisions, other Christians of good will, associated with those who are in the new covenant, properly address him as their Father, because he is to be their Grandfather through the Everlasting Father, Christ Jesus.—John 10:16, NW; Isa. 9:6, AS.
6. Why should all of God’s servants take note of
Paul’s words?
6 While Paul’s remarks were addressed to
anointed Christians, what he said about
God’s spirit and Christ’s ransom sacrifice
can benefit all servants of Jehovah regardless
of the hope they entertain. Although
Paul was inspired to offer such counsel to
anointed Christians, it is vital that all servants
of God understand what he wrote and
endeavor to benefit from it.
COMMENTS
Yes, the OT is addressed to anointed Christians (only anointed jws)(others are merely “so-called” or “professed” Christians)
Servants of Jehovah; servants of God = only jws = not Christians as Acts 11:26 says or witnesses of Jesus as Jesus said at Acts 1:8
How God “Condemned Sin in the Flesh”
7, 8. (a) In what sense was the Law “weak through
the flesh”? (b) What has God accomplished by
means of his spirit and the ransom?
7 In the 7th chapter of Romans, Paul acknowledged
the power of sin on the imperfect
flesh. In the 8th chapter, he commented
on the power of holy spirit. The apostle
explained how God’s spirit can help Christians
in their struggle against the power of
sin so that they can live in harmony with Jehovah’s
will and gain his approval. Paul
pointed out that by means of God’s spirit
and the ransom sacrifice of his Son, God has
accomplished something that the Mosaic
Law could not.
COMMENTS
How does holy spirit operate; how can you tell?
In harmony with God’s will or God’s will as interpreted by the WTS/GB/FDS?
Page 12: Pictures show that instead of reading the newspaper, the man should read the day’s text with his family—a past discussion/explanation of one scripture by the WTS; they don’t even have their bibles out.
Shows a man not witnessing to a coworker at lunch…but then he does in the second. So how many times did you “take the initiative” to talk to a coworker in a situation he would find hard to walk away from?
Third picture shows the mother only talking to her daughter in a family study…next picture shows father involved. I can tell you that there were many men in the congregation that never studied with children, even many elders. Their jobs were on the road and they even missed many meetings, but they were excused. I knew some children that felt when their father approached them, it was only to yell at them.
8 The Law, with its many commandments,
condemned sinners. Moreover,
Israel ’s high priests serving under the Law
were imperfect and could not offer an adequate
sacrifice for sin. Hence, the Law was
“weak through the flesh.” But “by sending
his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh”
and offering him as a ransom, God “condemned
sin in the flesh,” thus overcoming
the “incapability on the part of the Law.” As
a result, anointed Christians are counted
righteous on the basis of their faith in Jesus’
ransom sacrifice. They are urged to “walk,
not in accord with the flesh, but in accord
with the spirit.” (Read Romans 8:3, 4.) Indeed,
they must do so faithfully to the end
of their earthly course in order to be granted
“the crown of life.”—Rev. 2:10.
COMMENTS
The Law condemns…the WTS determines who is holy and who is not
Why can non-anointed jws not be “counted righteous on the basis of their faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice per the WTS? They can only be declared righteous as “friends” not “sons” and have to wait until the end of the 1,000 year reign to be adopted as such. Does that mean they don’t have faith based on the ransom sacrifice of Christ?
9. What is the meaning of the word “law” as used at Romans 8:2?
9 In addition to “the Law,” Paul mentioned
“the law of that spirit” and “the law
of sin and of death.” (Rom. 8:2) What are
these laws? The word “law” here does not refer
to certain rules, such as those in the Mosaic
Law. One reference work suggests: “The
Greek term for law here means an inward
principle of action—either good or evil—operating
with the regularity of a law. The
term also designates a standard for a person’s
life.”
COMMENTS
What reference work?
Strong's #3551: The Greek term for law here means an inward principle of action —either good or evil—operating with the regularity of a law.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/concordances/strongs-exhaustive-concordance/
Is the WTS afraid that jws will add Strong’s Concordance to their library? The congregation I last went to had a copy in the KH library. Is the WTS Concordance deficient?
10. How are we subject to the law of sin and of death?
10 The apostle Paul wrote: “Through one
man sin entered into the world and death
through sin, and thus death spread to all
men because they had all sinned.” (Rom. 5:
12) As descendants of Adam, all of us are
subject to the law of sin and of death. Our
sinful flesh constantly urges us to do things
that are displeasing to God, with only death
in view. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul
called such acts and traits “the works of the
flesh.” Then he added: “Those who practice
such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.”
(Gal. 5:19-21) People of this kind are
the same as those who walk in accord with
the flesh. (Rom. 8:4) Their “inward principle
of action” and their ‘standard for life’
are totally fleshly. But are those who commit
fornication, engage in idolatry, practice
spiritism, or get involved in other gross sins
the only ones who walk in accord with the
flesh? No, for the works of the flesh also include
what some might consider mere personality
flaws, such as jealousy, fits of anger,
contentions, and envies. Who can say that
he has totally freed himself from walking in
accord with the flesh?
COMMENTS
What is a gross sin per the WTS? Supposedly sins you could be df’d for; sins that were capital offenses (punishment by death) in the OT. Can you name them? Be assured that somewhere the WTS has and keeps updating it for the elders.
Personality flaws---who has been df’d for those things?
Do you walk in accord with the flesh or in accord with the spirit?
Page 13 pictures
Father watching TV without including family/then daughter is gone/then he sleeps (no bible)
Father studies with wife and child; talks meaningful with wife; reads bible (or WTS pub) before going to sleep
I definitely get the idea that men are not “taking the lead” in their families. I can think of 10 divorces due to elder husbands having no time or taking no time to spend with their families; 3 wives left for other men; none of the children are jws today; and half the men have just remarried and repeated the previous actions.
11, 12. What provision has Jehovah made to help
us overcome the law of sin and of death, and what
must we do to enjoy God’s favor?
11 How happy we can be that Jehovah has
made it possible for us to overcome the
law of sin and of death! Jesus said: “God
loved the world so much that he gave
his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone
exercising faith in him might not be
destroyed but have everlasting life.” By accepting God’s
love and by exercising faith in
the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we can
be freed from the condemnation resulting
from our inherited sin. (John 3:16-18) We
may, therefore, be inclined to exclaim, as
did Paul: “Thanks to God through Jesus
Christ our Lord!”
COMMENTS
Can non-anointed jws exercise faith but not be sons of God?
WTS Carrot = everlasting life on earth (they are looking only for non-anointed; they must be in consternation at the big increase in “partakers” each year.
12 Our situation is similar to being cured
of a serious illness. If we hope to recover fully,
we must do what the doctor tells us to do.
Though exercising faith in the ransom can
free us from the law of sin and of death, we
are still imperfect and sinful. More is involved
in attaining good spiritual health
and enjoying God’s favor and blessing. In
connection with fulfilling “the righteous requirement
of the Law,” Paul also brings out
the matter of walking in accord with the
spirit.
COMMENTS
Who is the doctor? The WTS/GB/FDS?
Men pleasers or God pleasers?
(Colossians 3:23-24) . . .Whatever YOU are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, 24 for YOU know that it is from Jehovah YOU will receive the due reward of the inheritance. SLAVE for the Master, Christ.
Walk in Accord With the Spirit—How?
13. What does it mean to walk in accord with the
spirit?
13 When we walk, we are moving progressively
toward a certain destination or goal.
Thus, walking in accord with the spirit calls
for steady spiritual advancement—not spiritual
perfection. (1 Tim. 4:15) Day by day and
to the best of our ability, we must endeavor
to walk, or live our lives, in accord with the
leading of the spirit. “Walking by spirit”
leads to God’s approval.—Gal. 5:16.
COMMENTS
Progressively – weasel word for the light gets brighter
Flip flop doctrines are progressive?
1879 to 1929 = Superior authorities, secular governments
1929 to 1962 = Superior authorities, God and Jesus
1962 to now = Superior authorities, back to secular governments
Sodom and Gomorrah = resurrected to earth or not
Organ Transplants
To 1967 = personal choice
1967 to 1980 = df’ing offense the same as cannibalism
1980 to now = personal choice
(If you have lived between 1967 and 1980, your death or a loved one was a reality)
Who decides what is our best—men or God?
Jesus approval?
14. What is the inclination of those “in accord with
the flesh”?
14 In his letter to the Romans, Paul next
spoke of two kinds of people with conflicting mind-
sets. (Read Romans 8:5.) Here the
flesh is not necessarily the physical body. In
the Bible, the word “flesh” is sometimes
used to denote the sinful and imperfect nature
of the fallen flesh. This nature is what
causes the conflict between the flesh and the
mind that Paul mentioned earlier. Unlike
him, however, those who “are in accord
with the flesh” do not even put up a fight.
Instead of considering what God requires of
them and accepting the help he has provided,
they are inclined to “set their minds on
the things of the flesh.” They often focus on
the satisfying of their bodily comforts and
physical desires. In contrast, the inclination
of those who are “in accord with the spirit”
is to set their minds on “the things of the
spirit”—spiritual provisions and activity.
COMMENTS
So where in some bible dictionary does it say that the word “flesh” is sometimes used to denote the sinful and imperfect nature of the fallen flesh? Do we just take their word for it?
So when does it eating become a comfort rather than a necessity? Or sleeping in a warm place rather than getting frostbite or hypothermia?
15, 16. (a) How does setting one’s mind on something
affect one’s mental attitude? (b) What can we
say about the mind-set of most people today?
15 Read Romans 8:6. To do anything
—whether it is good or bad—one must set
one’s mind on it. People who constantly set
their minds on the things of the flesh soon
develop a mental attitude or inclination
that is totally focused on the things of the
flesh. Their sentiments, interests, and affections
usually become completely occupied
with such things.
COMMENTS
Yes, starving and freezing people will be able to have the right attitude.
It is interesting that the WTS has to direct the conductor and the audience as to which scriptures must be read…how many jws look up the scriptures ahead of time (few know them by heart even at 30 years in the publications). The paragraph used to be read after the questions were asked and answered, as a summary. But the conductors and the CO’s would see that when the question was asked, people were reading the paragraph and few raised their hands…no pre-study there.
*** w77 2/1 p.96***
Elders who preside at the weekly Watchtower study, as well as those who conduct the congregation book studies, are anxious to teach in the most effective and helpful way. (Rom. 12:8; 2 Tim. 4:2) Moreover, all in the congregation desire to make the most of opportunities for taking in spiritual nourishment so that they may attain to “accurate knowledge and full discernment” of the truth.—Phil. 1:9.
With this in mind, we recommend to all congregations the following order of study: (1) Read the paragraph in The Watchtower (or other publication); (2) Read the question thereon; (3) Call on those raising their hands for answers, discussing fully the paragraph and supporting scriptures.
There should be a number of advantages in reading the paragraphs before they are discussed. This will quickly refresh the minds of all who have studied over the lesson in advance, and in the event some have not been able to do this previous to the meeting, the reading will at least familiarize them with the material before it is discussed. Everyone will be encouraged to concentrate on the reading, rather than look ahead for the answer in the next paragraph. Those who are shy, or who are slow in organizing their thoughts, will be able to prepare better to put their words together and so gain confidence to raise their hands. There should be freer participation and fuller discussion of the finer details of the study, with emphasis on the application of key scriptures before passing on to the reading of the next paragraph.
This new arrangement should be a blessing to all of God’s people, as they seek to “be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah.”—Col. 1:9, 10.
16 With what things are most people occupied
today? The apostle John wrote:
“Everything in the world—the desire of the
flesh and the desire of the eyes and the
showy display of one’s means of life—does
not originate with the Father, but originates
with the world.” (1 John 2:16) These desires
involve such things as promiscuity, prominence,
and possessions. Books, magazines,
newspapers, movies, TV shows, and the Internet
are flooded with material of this sort,
primarily because that is what most people
set their minds on and really want.
However, “the minding of the flesh means
death”—spiritually now and physically in
the near future. Why? “Because the minding
of the flesh means enmity with God, for
it is not under subjection to the law of God,
nor, in fact, can it be. So those who are
in harmony with the flesh cannot please
God.”—Rom. 8:7, 8.
COMMENTS
Most people = all but jws; yes jws are the only people who are not promiscuous, wanting prominence (except “reaching out” to be so in the KH); I’m surprised the WTS does not forbid all non-wts reading material, movies, tv shows and internet websites.
The 3 P’s = promiscuity, prominence, possessions
NEAR FUTURE = The WTS has been waiting and adjusting since 1879, 133 years
17, 18. How can we pursue the minding of the spirit,
and what will be the result of our doing so?
17 On the other hand, “the minding of
the spirit means life and peace”—everlasting
life in the future as well as inner peace and
peace with God now. How can we pursue
“the minding of the spirit”? By regularly setting
our minds on the things of the spirit
and allowing a spiritual inclination and attitude
to develop in us. As we do this, we have
a mind-set that is “under subjection to the
law of God” and is “in harmony with” his
thoughts. When we are faced with a temptation,
we will not be uncertain about the
course we should pursue. We will be moved
to make the correct choice—one that is in
accord with the spirit.
COMMENTS
Everlasting life in the future, what happened to the NEAR future?
Jws are uncertain because the WTS is always clarifying and adjusting their beliefs, many don’t understand the “new” information, so run to the elders to tell them what to do. After all, whatever they tell you must be from God and you are safe; “God I did it because the elders said I must and you anointed them.”
18 Therefore, it is vital to set our minds on
the things of the spirit. We do this by ‘bracing
up our minds for activity,’ building
our life around a spiritual routine that includes
regular prayer, Bible reading and
study, meeting attendance, and the Christian
ministry. (1 Pet. 1:13) Rather than allowing
the things of the flesh to distract us,
let us set our minds on the things of the
spirit. Thus we will go on walking in accord
with the spirit. Doing so will bring us blessings,
for the minding of the spirit means life
and peace.—Gal. 6:7, 8.
COMMENTS
I’m surprised the WTS didn’t use the opportunity to add “donating to the WTS” as part of their spiritual routine. Using your money for “things of the flesh” would mean you won’t have money “ for the things of the spirit” = WTS.
Can You Explain?
What was the “incapability on the
part of the Law,” and how did God
overcome it?
What is “the law of sin and of death,”
and how can we be freed from it?
What must we do to cultivate “the
minding of the spirit”?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
This was a bland article; like any are spicy. Next week, “TEMPORARY RESIDENTS” IN A WICKED WORLD.
I wonder what non-jws think when the realize that the WTS and its members teach that they are all wicked and soon to die unless they become baptized jws.
Love, Blondie