Self Mutilation....Is it for Christians?
1) In the continent of Africa, Jehovah's Witnesses have enjoyed grand spiritual blessings in the early part of this century. As evidence of Jehovah's blessing is the great increase of Bible studies being conducted, and the many "Flocking to Jehovah's table". How has this increase become possible? It is mainly due to the self sacrificing efforts of those responsible for taking the lead among us; The Elders in the local congregations, and most importantly the Faithful and Discreet Slave Class, of whom the Master upon arriving has found them to be worthy of carrying His Grand message of hope for mankind's future.-Matt 23:45.
2) Upon arriving in Africa one Christian pioneer sister named Gretchen (not her real name) noted "The natives here were very dirty when we arrived, living in grass huts, eating bugs and engaging in various forms of spiritism. Through Jehovah's Holy Spirit, we have been able to show them through God's Word, that these practices are not endorsed by our Superlative Creator. Indeed Jehovah, the Great Repurchaser, has blessed our efforts in the ministry. Thank you Jehovah, and blessed be your Faithful and Discreet Slave Class, who are indeed giving us our food at the proper time".-Matt 23:45
3) Ministering in Africa has not been without it's pitfalls. Not everyone has been disposed to spiritual truths. For instance there continues to be wide spread demonic rituals being conducted in certain villiages. The practice of "self mutilation", defined by Websters Dictionary as; "the mutilation of the self." is, sadly, still quite common. Our dear brothers and sisters have witnessed such depolorable things such as individuals poking themselves with pins, burning themselves with cigarette butts, administering papercuts with precious copies of the Watchtower and Awake magazines, and unfortuneately, chopping off their penises with a dull axe, or whatever is available.
Is it Wise?
4) It is quite obvious to discern that when these natives chop off their penises, the appendages seem to flop around on the ground, similar to a fish flopping around on a boat after just being removed from the water- Matt 23:45.
5) As Christians today, do you feel it would be wise to engage in such a form of self mutilation? True in some countries where some self mutilation is required by law, a Christian would want to weigh the pros and cons of pursuing such a course, and prayerfully meditate on the proper course to take, and it would be a matter of the individuals conscience. But where self mutilation is not compulsory, it WOULD NOT be a conscience matter, and the individual that persisted in such a sinful course would be subject to disfellowshipping.-Matt 23:45
6) Admittedly, God's Word does not specifically state that it is disadvantageous to chop off ones sexual member. We have Bible principles to guide us. Surely, a penis flopping around like a "fish outta water" is not what our Great Master was referring to when he exhorted His first century followers to become "Fishers of Men".-Matt 23:45
7) Miguel, a young Christian minister of Jehovah in Brazil noted; "When I first heard about this self mutilation thing, I thought it would be kind cool to engage in this practice, but after not being able to reattatch it, I realized I may have made a mistake. Thanks to Jehovah, with direction provided through His organization, I was able to discern that this was a practice I would not continue to engage in, even if I could". What wise reasoning. We can see then through this example from Miguel, and the many others we can point to, that a loyal servant of Jehovah, would endeavor to avoid this snare of sexual self mutilation. Unless you live in an area where it is required of you. Then it would be up to your conscience.-Matt 23:45.
Next Week: "Avoid the snare of Reading".