Keep Worshpping Jehovah When Under Ban - TRAPS TO AVOID

Be cautious about sharing information.  During a ban, we must recognize when it is "time to be silent." (Ecclesiastes 3:7)  We must safeguard sensitive information, such as the names of our brothers and sisters, the locations where we meet, how we carry out  our ministry, and how we receive spiritual food.  We would not reveal these facts to the secular authorities; nor would we  share them with well-meaning friends or relatives  in our country or in other countries. If we did fall into this trap, we would put the safety of our brothers at risk. -Read PSALM 39:1.

Do not allow issues to divide us.  Satan knows that a  divided house cannot stand. (Mark 3:24, 25) He will constantly try to cause divisions among us. In that way, he hopes that we will start fighting one another instead of fighting him. 

Even mature Christians need to be on guard not to fall into this trap. Consider the examples of two anointed sisters, Gertrud Poetzinger and Elfriede Lohr.  They were imprisoned together with other Christian sisters in a Nazi concentration camp. Gertrud  became jealous when Elfriede gave encouraging talks to the other sisters in the camp. Later, Gertrud felt ashamed and pleaded with Jehovah for help. She wrote:  "We have to learn to accept  it when others have greater abilities or are more highly favored."  How did she overcome her jealousy?  Gertrud focused on Elfriede's good qualities and pleasant disposition.  In this way she regained he good relationship with Elfriede. Both survived the concentration camp and served Jehovah faithfully until they finished  their earthly course. If we work hard to overcome differences with our brothers, we will avoid the trap of disunity.

Avoid being presumptuous.  If we heed the direction we receive from trusted, responsible brothers, we will avoid problems. (1 Peter 5:5) For example, in a land where the work is under ban, the responsible brothers had directed that the publishers  not leave printed material in the ministry. Yet, a pioneer brother in that location felt that he knew better and distributed literature.  What was the result? Shortly after he and some others finished a period of informal witnessing, they were questioned by the police. Apparently, officials had followed them and were able to retrieve the literature they had distributed.  What do we learn from this experience?  We need to follow direction even if we feel we know better.  Jehovah always blesses s when we cooperate with the brothers whom he has appointed to take the lead among us. - HEBREWS 13:7, 17. 

Do not make unnecessary rules.  If elders make unnecessary rules, they will create a burden for others. Brother Juraj Kaminsky recalled what took place during a ban in former Czechoslovakia:  "After the responsible brothers and many elders were arrested, some of those taking the lead in congregations and circuits began prescribing rules of conduct for the publishers, making lists of dos and don'ts." Jehovah has not given us authority to make personal decisions for others.  Someone who makes needless rules is not protecting his brother's safety-he is trying to become the master of his brother's faith.  - 2 CORINTHIANS 1:24. 

Next time: Keep Worshipping Jehovah When Under Ban - NEVER STOP WORSHIPPING JEHOVAH