22 When God's law is within our inward parts, we are not unsure of the way in which to walk. We take delight in doing God's will.
I was unsure a lot, even after trying to live the Watchtower way. Teachings like the one quoted above (which were repeated very often in meetings and publications ever since I could hear or read) inflict a guilt trip on anyone who is feeling a bit left out (for whatever reason -- you're young, you're single and above age 29, you're not in one of the congregation's dominant families, etc.).
I was raised a JW, and was one who gave as many answers as anyone else at the book study or any other meeting, had given public talks, and auxiliary pioneered quite often. Yet as I got older, and not part of the "in" crowd at the Hall, I started to wonder... what does it take to be happy and a JW? How can I feel like I belong? No matter how hard I tried to figure it out, no matter how much effort I gave at the congregation, I never felt like I was going anywhere in life. Yet I also believed that I had to be in the organization, in spite of how I was treated and in spite of the hypocrisy I saw. Otherwise, Jehovah might disapprove me.
20 Men and women who are diligent students of God's Word, who are zealous preachers of the good news, who are flawless in their integrity, and who are loyal supporters of the Kingdom are a great blessing to the congregation. Their presence adds stability to the congregation they associate with. They prove to be very helpful, especially because there are so many new ones to care for. When we take to heart Paul's advice to `keep testing whether we are in the faith, keep proving what we ourselves are,' we too become a good influence on others.
Like you said, Blondie, this makes you wonder how many "exemplary" people there are in the congregations. How STABLE are many congregations? How stable is the organization as a whole? Oh they can put on good appearances, but do they really care for each other more than any other group of people?
This paragraph can evoke different reactions. A person might feel guilty because they don't feel like they can be super students, or super preachers, or they feel bad about mistakes and don't feel 'flawless'. But really who is flawless? This is a guilt-inducer.
Or a rank-and-file JW could say -- I'm doing my best just showing up at meetings and getting out on magazine day on Saturday morning. I will never be one of those "big trees of righteousness" in the congregation. And so they'll feel second-class.
Or maybe, I guess a person could proudly say "Hey I match those standards -- I'm flawless" and feel so proud of themselves. (Lord it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way...)
I guess the whole article is to try to motivate people through guilt. An odd guilt/fear combination was a big factor keeping me going in the JW's for so long.