Enemies of the Truth

Apostates can present yet another threat to our spirituality.  the apostle Paul foretold that apostasy would arise among professed Christians.  (Acts 20:29. 30; Thessalonians 2:3)  In fulfillment of his words, after the death of the apostles, a great apostasy led to the development of Christendom.  Today, there is not great apostasy taking place among God's people.  Still, a few individuals have left our ranks, and some among them are bent on defaming Jehovah's Witnesses by spreading lies and misinformation.  A few work with other groups in organized resistance to pure worship.  In doing so, they side with the very first apostate, Satan.

Some apostates are increasingly using various forms of mass communication, including the Internet, to spread false information about Jehovah's Witnesses.  As  a result, when sincere individuals do research on our beliefs, they may stumble across apostate propaganda.  Even some Witnesses have unwittingly exposed themselves to this harmful material.  In addition, apostates occasionally take part in television or radio programs. What is the wise course to follow in view of this?

The apostate John directed Christians not to accept apostates into their homes.  He wrote: "If anyone comes to you and does  not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say a greeting to him is a sharer in his wicked works."  (2 John 10, 11) Avoiding all contact with these opponents will protect us from their corrupt thinking.  Exposing ourselves  to apostate teachings through the various means of modern communications is just as harmful as receiving the apostate  himself into our homes. Never should we allow curiosity to lure us into such a calamitous course! -Proverbs 22:3.

Next time: Within the Congregation

The Watchtower, 2000