Comments You Will Not Hear at the 4-4-04 (varying) WT Study Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blueGUARD AGAINST DECEPTION
"Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry YOU off as his prey through
the philosophy and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary things of the world and not according to Christ ."?Colossians 2:8 (NWT) (red denotes part not quoted in the material)Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ.?Colossians 2:8 (MSG)
www.biblegateway.com /cgi-bin/bible
Opening Comments
There is a lot to comment on in this article. Why was the phrase "according to the tradition of men" left out of the theme scripture? How many traditions of men does the WTS have?
Then, what is an apostate? Anyone who seems to disagree with a verbal or written statement of the WTS? What proves that the WTS is God?s visible organization? What did Jesus say would identify his followers? What "God-dishonoring doctrines" can you find in the WTS? Do you know what doctrines the WTS has flip-flopped on, that is, taught one thing, "adjusted" it, and then returned to the original doctrine? Do all those who leave the WTS, leave "the faith," that is belief in God and the Bible?
There are so many untruths and distortions taught by the WTS, that I invite you to read through my past comments. Just click on my name above and then select topics. Check the
site too. This site contains only quotes from the WT?s publications. Let their own words hang them.
Flip-flop doctrines
Superior authorities
1879-1929 secular governments
1930-1962 God and Jesus
1962- present secular governments
Resurrection of people of Sodom and Gomorrah1879-1952 will be
1952-1965 will not be
1965-1988 will be
- Live Forever book will be
- Insight Book will be
1988 Revelation book will not be
1989 Live Forever book will not be
Organ transplantsTo 1967 okay
1967-1980 not okay (DF?ing)
1980-present okay
START OF ARTICLE"How many of you have never had a client lie to you?" Some years ago, a law professor conducted a survey by asking that question: The response? He explains: "Out of thousands of lawyers, only one never had a client lie to him." The reason? "The lawyer had just started practice with a large firm and had not yet talked to a client." This experience illustrates a sad truth?lying and deception are commonplace in today?s world.Let me rephrase that question. "How many of you have never had a JW lie to you?" And the rest, "Out of thousands of JWs, only one never had a JW lie to him." "The person had just moved into the neighborhood from a country that had no JWs living there."
Lying and deception are commonplace even among JWs and why not, according to this definition of lying in the WTS publication, Insight on the Scriptures, volume 2, page 244, lying is acceptable.
Lying generally involves saying something false to a person who is entitled to know the truth and doing so with the intent to deceive or to injure him or another person. w92 12/15 p. 22 Why Is It So Easy to Lie?A lie is defined as "1. a false statement or action, especially one made with intent to deceive . . . 2. anything that gives or is meant to give a false impression." The intention is to cause others to believe something that the liar knows is not the truth. By lies or half-truths, he strives to deceive those who are entitled to know the truth.One way the WTS gives a false impression is to make its members believe they have always taught that Jesus? presence began in 1914. Actually until 1943, 1874 was the official date. That explains why the full title of the Watchtower magazine in 1879 was,
w00 1/1 p. 9 Serving With the WatchmanIn July 1879, the Bible Students started publication of this magazine, then known as Zion?s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ?s Presence.2 Deception comes in many forms and has crept into nearly all aspects of modern-day life. Media reports abound with examples?politicians lying about their actions, accountants and lawyers overstating corporate profits, advertisers misleading consumers, litigants cheating insurance companies, just to name a few. Then there is religious deception. The clergy mislead the masses by teaching false doctrines, such as immortality of the soul, hellfire, and the Trinity.?2 Timothy 4:3,4.3 Should we be surprised by all this deception? Not really. Regarding "the last days," the Bible warned: "Wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse, misleading and being mislead." (2 Timothy 3:1,13)As Christians (now the WTS considers themselves Christians rather than followers from Jehovah. Little the average non-JW realizes that the WTS believes that only JWs are "true" or "real" Christians and that their baptism is invalid.) we need to be alert to misleading ideas that could turn us away from the truth. Two questions naturally arise: Why is deception so prevalent today, and how can we guard against being deceived?Why So Much Deception Today?4 The Bible clearly explains the reason why deception is rampant in this world. The apostle John wrote that "the whole word is lying in the power of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) That "wicked one" is Satan the Devil. Concerning him, Jesus said: "He did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie." Is it any wonder, then, that this world reflects the spirit, the values, and the deceptive traits of its ruler??John 8:44; 14:30; Ephesians 2:1-3.
Notice how the WTS swipes a broad brush across all the people of the world. Are all people outside the WTS organization liars? What about your non-JW family members, workmates, neighbors? I will admit there are some that lie, but can you say that the KH is empty of deceivers? Is it true that nothing in the papers is true? Is everything your children?s teachers teach a fabrication? Are the people at the credit union siphoning off your assets?
5 In this time of the end (no proof provided for this conclusion), Satan has intensified his efforts. He has been hurled down to the earth. He knows that his time is short (but we don?t because no proof is provided), and he has "great anger." Determined to bring down as many humans as possible, he "is misleading the entire inhabited earth." (Revelation 12:9,12) Satan is not a sporadic deceiver. Rather, he is unrelenting in his efforts to mislead mankind.*The next is a footnote that the WTS uses to try to dazzle us with their Bible knowledge.
*Regarding the form of the verb rendered "is misleading" at Revelation 12:9, one reference (which one??????) work says that it "indicates a continuous action that has become a habitual character."But of course the WTS does not cite the reference, page, or author. Why not?He uses every deceptive method in his arsenal?including trickery and treachery?to blind the minds of unbelievers and keep them away from God. (2 Corinthians 4:4) This master of deception is especially bent on devouring those who are worshiping God "with spirit and truth." (John 4:24; 1 Peter 5:8) Never forget Satan has, in effect, claimed: ?I can turn anyone away from God.? (Job 1:9-12)Not content with snippets and paraphrasing, now the WTS puts for the deception that this phrase is actually in the Bible.Let us consider some of Satan?s "deceptive tactics" and how to guard against them.?Ephesians 6:11, Jewish New Testament.Guard Against Deception by Apostates 6 Satan has long used apostates in his efforts to seduce God?s servants. (Matthew 13:36-39) Apostates may claim to worship Jehovah and to believe the Bible, but they reject the visible part of his organization. Some even return to the God-dishonoring doctrines of "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion. (Revelation 17:5; 2 Peter 2:19-22) Under divine inspiration, the Bible writers used strong words to expose the motives and methods of apostates.
So the WTS defines apostates as those who "claim" to worship God and believe the Bible but they reject the visible part of his organization. What is their claim to that title "visible part of his [God?s] organization? What did the founder of the WTS, Charles Taze Russell, say about "organization"?
"Beware of "organization." It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible will be the only rules you need. Do not seek to bind other consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey so far as you can understand God's word today, and so continue to growing in grace and knowledge day by day." (Zion's Watch Tower, 1895, p. 216.)
"In view of these facts and also of the nature of the harvest work, and the addition. In fact that each one so gathered is expected to enter into the harvest work as a reaper, and will do so to the extent of his ability and opportunity, it is plain that the forming of a visible organization of such gathered out ones would be out of harmony with the spirit of the divine plan; and, it done, would seem to indicate on the part of the Church a desire to conform to the now popular idea of organization or confederacy. (See Isa. 8:12.) ... While, therefore, we do not esteem a visible organization of the gathered ones to be a part of the Lord's plan in the harvest work, as though we expected as an organization to abide here for another age, we do esteem it to be his will that those that love the Lord should speak often one to another of their common hopes and joys, or trials and perplexities, communing together concerning the precious things of his Word, and so help one another, and not forget the assembling of themselves together as the manner of some is; and so much the more as they see the day approaching. -- Mal. 3: 16; Heb. 10:25." (Zion's Watch Tower, 1894, p. 384.)7 What is it that apostates want? Most are not content to leave the faith that they once perhaps viewed as true. Often, they want to take others with them. Rather than going out and making their own disciples, many apostates seek to "draw away the disciples [that is, Christ?s disciples] after themselves." (Acts 20:29,30) Regarding false teachers, the apostle Paul sounded this urgent warning: "Look out: perhaps there may be someone who will carry you off as his prey." (Colossians 2:8) Does that not describe what many apostates try to do? Like a kidnapper who carries an unsuspecting victim away from his family, apostates prey upon trusting members of the congregation, seeking to carry them away from the flock.
Those who have leave have not left the faith. Most often they have discovered what real faith is. Do those who leave the WTS want to take others with them? It is only natural that their loved ones want to be with them. But they are not masters over their faith, dictating to them what to do and what to believe.
"Rather than going out and making their own disciples" is a statement made by other Christian religions especially in non-Christian countries where Christian missionaries have worked hard among non-Christians. JWs come in and then concentrate on those who are already Christian in outlook because non-Christians are too hard to convert.
Are these ones in the flock or have they already left through the neglect and bad treatment from the "shepherds"?
8 What methods do apostates use to achieve their aim? They often resort to distortions, half-truths, and outright falsehoods. Jesus knew that his followers would be victimized by those who would "tell all kinds of evil lies against" them. (Matthew 5:11, Today?s English Version) Such malicious opposers would tell what is not true with the intent to deceive others. The apostle Peter warned against apostates who would use ""counterfeit words," spread "deceptive teachings," and ?twist the Scriptures? to their own ends. (2 Peter 2:3, 13; 3:16) Sadly, apostates succeed in "subverting the faith of some."?2 Timothy 2:18What distortions, half-truths, and outright falsehoods? Why is the WTS afraid to be specific as to the issues at hand?
9 How can we guard against being deceived by apostates? By heeding the advice from God?s Word, which says: "Keep your eye on those who cause divisions and occasions for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them." (Romans 16:17) We "avoid them" by steering clear of their reasoning?whether in person, in printed form, or on the Internet. Why do we take such a stand? First, because God?s Word directs us to do so, and we trust that Jehovah always has our best interests at heart.?Isaiah 48:17,18.Jesus caused divisions by telling the truth. We see how the religious leaders dealt with him. Is that a valid charge? Causing divisions.
w97 12/1 p. 30 Is All Complaining Bad? Should we conclude, then, that all forms of complaint are to be condemned? No, we should not. The Bible indicates that there are many injustices in the flawed world in which we live that rightly call for correction. In an illustration, Jesus made mention of an unrighteous judge who begrudgingly meted out justice to an oppressed widow so that she would not "keep coming and pummeling [him] to a finish." (Luke 18:1-8) In some respects we too may have to persist in our complaints until wrongs are rectified.10 Second, we love the organization that has taught us the precious truths that so plainly separate us from Babylon the Great. At the same time, we recognize that our knowledge of God?s purpose is not perfect, our understanding has undergone adjustments over the years. Loyal Christians are content to wait on Jehovah for all such refinements. (Proverbs 4:18) Meanwhile, we will not abandon the organization that God is pleased to use, for we see the clear evidence of his blessing on it.?Acts 6:7; 1 Corinthians 3:6
Is the organization or Christ that has taught us truth?
Ephesians 4:20-21But YOU did not learn the Christ to be so, 21 provided, indeed, that YOU heard him and were taught by means of him, just as truth is in JesusWhat is "the clear evidence of his blessing on it [organization]"? Building work, increase in numbers,
w96 4/15 p. 27 Expansion With Jehovah?s BlessingClearly, Jehovah?s blessing has been on the construction activity of Jehovah?s Witnesses to facilitate the worldwide preaching and teaching work that Jesus commanded his followers to do. w92 1/15 p. 17 Jehovah Loves Cheerful Givers Today, Jehovah is speeding up the gathering of sheeplike ones into his expanding organization, and his blessing on the wise use of donations in the Kingdom-preaching work is clear evidence of divine approval.Based on that in my area, the Protestant churches are taking off with building projects and increased numbers far and above any of the JWs.
Guard Against Self-Deception 11 Imperfect humans have a tendency that Satan is quick to exploit?self-deception. "The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate," says Jeremiah 17:9. And James wrote: "Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire." (James 1:14) If our heart gets enticed, it may, in effect, wave sin enticingly before us, making it appear attractive and harmless. Such a view is deceptive, for giving oneself up to sin ultimately leads to ruin.?Romans 8:6.How has the WTS deceived itself, how had it been drawn out and enticed, making sin appear attractive and harmless? It feels it can lie to the authorities since they are not entitled to the truth. The WTS says that they elders are told to report every case of child sexual abuse to the authorities. What they leave out is only the ones they feel are provable or they can?t keep secret any longer. What they leave out is they only report in states that require it and that they never encourage families or JWs to report. If the families don?t ask, the elders don?t mention that they should report abuse to the authorities. Why does the WTS do this, to protect their "reputation" as good Christians. Any victims will be healed in the "new system" assuming they live so long and can hang onto their Christian faith after being betrayed by those who should help them.
12 Self-deception can easily ensnare us. The treacherous heart may rationalize away a serious personality flaw or make excuses for a grave sin (like incest????). (1 Samuel 15:13-15, 20,21) Our desperate heart may also look for ways to justify questionable conduct. (it?s okay if there is only one eyewitness) Take, for example, the matter of entertainment. Some entertainment is wholesome and enjoyable. However, much of what this world offers?in movies and television programs and on Internet sites?is obscene and immoral (not JWD!!!). It is easy to convince ourselves that we can view seedy entertainment without any harm. Some even reason, "It does not bother my conscience, so what?s the problem?" But such individuals are ?deceiving themselves with false reasoning.??James 1:22.What is a grave sin? Doesn?t incest qualify? Why does the WTS cover it up? Justify questionable conduct?like associating with the UN as a nongovernmental organization? Seedy entertainment???? What is that? Aren?t we responsible before God for our conscience not the consciences of others?
13 How can we be on guard against self-deception? To begin with, we need to remember that the human conscience is not always reliable. Consider the case of the apostle Paul. Before becoming a Christian, he persecuted Christ?s followers. (Acts 9:1,2) His conscience may not have bothered him at the time. Obviously though, it had been misdirected. "I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith," said Paul. (1 Timothy 1:13)What about another Pharisee, said to be the teacher of Paul. Was Paul really ignorant and not listening to his conscience? Had he not heard these words.
Acts 5:34-39But a certain man rose in the San´he·drin, a Pharisee named Ga·ma´li·el, a Law teacher esteemed by all the people, and gave the command to put the men outside for a little while. 35 And he said to them: "Men of Israel, pay attention to yourselves as to what YOU intend to do respecting these men. 36 For instance, before these days Theu´das rose, saying he himself was somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined his party. But he was done away with, and all those who were obeying him were dispersed and came to nothing. 37 After him Judas the Gal·i·le´an rose in the days of the registration, and he drew off people after him. And yet that man perished, and all those who were obeying him were scattered abroad. 38 And so, under the present circumstances, I say to YOU, Do not meddle with these men, but let them alone; (because, if this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown; 39 but if it is from God, YOU will not be able to overthrow them;) otherwise, YOU may perhaps be found fighters actually against God."So the mere fact that certain entertainment does not bother our conscience is in itself no guarantee that our course is right. Only a healthy conscience properly trained by14 If we are to avoid self-deception, there are some helpful suggestions we need to keep in mind. Analyze yourself prayerfully. (Psalm 26:2; 2 Corinthians 13:5) Honest self-analysis may open your eyes to the need to make some changes in your viewpoint or way.
See the next point. After telling us that our consciences are not a safe guide how can self-analysis be any better?
Listen to others (by others they mean the elders). (James 1:19) Since self-examination tends to be subjective (that is you aren?t competent to analyze yourself), it is wise to listen to the objective (????!!!!) words of mature fellow Christians (translation: to the elders). If you find yourself making decisions or acting in ways that are questionable in the eyes of balanced, experienced fellow believers (translation: elders), you might ask yourself, ?Could it be that my conscience has not been properly trained or that my heart is deceiving me??Regularly feed on the Bible and Bible-based publications. (Psalm 1:2) (are you looking up all these scriptures in this article? If not, are you really feeding on the Bible?) Doing so will help you to keep your thoughts, attitudes, and feelings in harmony with godly principles.Guard Against Satan?s Lies15 Satan uses a variety of lies in his efforts to deceive us. He tries to convince us that material possessions bring happiness and satisfaction, yet the opposite often (by not always) proves true. (Ecclesiastes 5:10-12) He would have us believe that this wicked world will go on forever (it has been 125 years since 1879, and the end is still near), although there is clear evidence (where is it in this article?) that we are living in "the last days." (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Satan promotes the idea that there is no harm in pursuing an immoral life-style, even though pleasure-seekers often (but not always) reap bitter consequences. (and what would those be?) (Galatians 6:7) How can we avoid being deceived by such lies?
Materialism raises its ugly head again. Donations must be really down.
16 Benefit from Biblical examples. The Bible contains warning examples of individuals who were deceived by Satan?s lies. They loved material things (that means we can have them if we don?t love them), lost sight of the times they were living in, or gave themselves over to immorality?all with bad results. (Matthew 19:16-22: 24:36-42; Luke 16:14; 1 Corinthians 10:8-11) Learn from modern-day examples.Sad to say, occasionally some Christians lose their sense of urgency and come to believe that by serving God they are missing out on something good. They may leave the truth to pursue a life of so-called pleasure. However, such individuals are "on slippery ground," for sooner or later (I vote for later) their ungodly conduct (materialism) will catch up with them. (Psalm 73:18,19) We are wise to learn from the mistakes of others.?Proverbs 22:3.
Actually, they do learn from the actions of others. They see the elders building and buying house, upgrading to a better vehicle, going on fancy vacations, wearing expensive clothes. They reason, why can?t I? They rarely see the elders in the field ministry. They reason, why can?t I do less?
17 There is another lie that Satan has effectively used?the lie that Jehovah neither loves us nor values us. Satan has had thousands of years to study imperfect humans. He well knows that discouragement can weaken us. (Proverbs 24:10) Hence, he promotes the lie that we are worthless in God?s eyes. If we are "thrown down" and become convinced that Jehovah does not care about us, we may be tempted to give up. (2 Corinthians 4:9) That is just what the great Deceiver wants! How, then can we guard against being deceived by this satanic lie?First, stop going to the meetings where there constantly tell you that you don?t measure up, that you can somehow reach out and do more.
w01 2/1 p. 17 Are You Living Up to Your Dedication?Regardless of what we accomplish in the Christian ministry, all of us have to remember Jesus? humbling words: "So you, also, when you have done all the things assigned to you, say, ?We are good-for-nothing slaves. What we have done is what we ought to have done.?" (Luke 17:10) How often can we really say that we have done "all the things assigned" to us? So the question is, What should be the quality of our service to God?18 Personally take to heart what the Bible says about God?s love for us. God?s Word uses some touching word pictures to assure us that Jehovah notices us and loves us as individuals.What if at the kingdom hall few notice you or show love to you as individuals? (John 14:34,35)
He puts your tears in his "skin bottle," meaning that he sees and remembers the tears you shed in your struggle to remain faithful. (Psalm 56:8)Does he remember the tears of all the children whose abuse continued because the elders needed 2 eyewitnesses to the abuse?
He knows when you are "broken at heart" and is near to you at such times. (Psalm 34:18) He knows every detail about you, including the number of "the very hairs of your head." (Matthew 10:29-31) Above all, God "gave his only-begotten Son" in your behalf. (John 3:16; Galatians 2:20) At times you may find it difficult to believe that such scriptures apply to you personally. (The elders will find it hard to believe that they apply to you too.) We must, however, take Jehovah at his word. He wants us to believe that he loves us not only as a group but as individuals.The problem lies when God?s self-proclaimed representatives do not have time for the sheep, even abusing the sheep through words and actions. Do they love you as an individual? What have they done for you personally?
19 Recognize and reject the lie. If you now that someone is lying, you can protect yourself against being deceived. So, too, just knowing that Satan wants you to believe the lie that Jehovah does not love you can in itself be a powerful help. In response to a Watchtower article that warned about Satan?s tactics, one Christian said: "I never realized that Satan tries to use by feelings to discourage me. Knowing this gives me the motivation to fight these feelings."But where are the lies coming from? The people at the KH? Who tells you that you never do enough, that you should reach out more, that our attitude needs adjusting? Who really talks to you, comforts you, cares for your needs, makes sure you are part of the fun? Actions speak louder than words.
20 Consider the experience of a traveling overseer in a South American country. When making shepherding calls on fellow believers who are downhearted, he often asks them, ?Do you believe in the Trinity?? The discouraged one usually answers, ?Of course not" realizing that this is one of Satan?s lies. The traveling elder then asks, ?Do you believe in hellfire?? Again comes the answer, ?Of course not!? The traveling elder then tells them that there is another satanic lie that is usually not recognized as such. He directs their attention to page 249, paragraph 21, of the book Draw Close to Jehovah,* (Published by Jehovah?s Witnesses?not the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society?), which exposes the lie that Jehovah does not love us as individuals. The traveling overseer reports positive results from thus helping discouraged ones to recognize and reject this satanic lie.Notice how the WTS carefully lists this resource. Also what are trinity and hellfire, doctrines proved/disproved through the Scriptures. How will people know God loves them but how they are treated by his representatives? Do you find yourself excusing the actions of those at the hall and not representative of how God feels toward you? Hmmmmmmmmmmm?
Safeguard Yourself Against Deception 21 During this final part of the last days (not proven yet in this article), it is to be expected that Satan will continue to launch an avalanche of lies and deceptions (specifics please). Thankfully, Jehovah has not left us in the dark regarding Satan?s deceptive tactics (but the WTS has left us in the dark as to the specifics). The Bible and Bible-based publications of "the faithful and discreet slave" clearly expose the Devil?s evil methods. (Matthew 24:45) Being forewarned, we are forearmed.?2 Corinthians 2:11.Notice how the WTS still has not given specifics as to the lies and deceptions. Also the FDS is mentioned without any supporting proof.
22 Let us, then keep on guard against the reasonings of apostates. May we be determined to avoid the subtle snare of self-deception. And let us recognize and reject all of Satan?s lies (still the WTS does not specify). By doing so, we will safeguard our relationship with "the God of truth," who detests deception.?Psalm 31:5, Proverbs 3:32.Yes, safeguard your relationship with "the God of truth," by rejecting the WTS lies about child abuse.
www.silentlambs.org Concluding CommentsAre you an apostate? If you watch seedy entertainment and follow your own conscience, you are on the road if you aren?t already there.
"Apostates" have the WTS on the run. Many JWs are no longer donating, putting in phantom hours, leaving, just becoming inactive. Why? Discouragement, neglect, outright lies from elders, finally receiving the unloving treatment that others have complained about. Bleat loudly lambs, because the shepherds aren?t going to help you. You are only a dirty penny and they are looking for nice, shiny quarters.
Blondie