Defending Our Faith -"Let Your Reasonableness Become Known to All Men"

 However, the counsel to remain without spot from the world does not give us any basis for categorically belittling those who are not Jehovah's Witnesses. (Proverbs 8:13) Recall the example of the Jewish religious leaders, discussed in the preceding article. The form of religion they developed did not win favor with Jehovah; nor did it contribute to good relations with the non-Jews. (Matthew 21;43,45) From their self-righteous perch, these fanatic men looked down on the Gentiles. We do not take such a narrow view, treating non-Witnesses with disdain. Like the apostle Paul, our wish is that all who hear the Bible's message of truth gain God's favor. - ACTS 26:29; 1 TIMOTHY 2:3, 4.

A balanced, Scriptural view should affect the way we speak about non-Witnesses. Paul instructed Titus to remind the Christians on the island of Crete "to speak injuriously of not one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward men." (Titus 3:2) Notice that Christians were to speak injuriously of "no one" -not even of the non-Christians on Crete, some of them were known for their lying, gluttony. and laziness. (Titus 1:12) So it would be unscriptural for us to use disparaging when terms when referring to ones who do not share our beliefs. A superior attitude will not attract others to Jehovah's worship. Rather, when we view and treat others in line with the reasonable principles of Jehovah's Word, we "adorn the teaching of God. - TITUS 2:10.

Next time: Defending Our Faith - "Let Your Reasonableness Become Known to All Men"

From the jw.org publications

Defending Our Faith - "Let Your Reasonableness Become Known to All Men"

 To begin with, we need to have the right view-Jehovah's Witnesses view -of those who do not share our religious convictions. Otherwise, we might unnecessarily invite hostility or reproach from others. "Let your reasonableness become known to all men," wrote the apostle Paul.  (Philippians 4:5) Hence, the Bible encourages us to have a balanced view of those outside the Christian congregation. 

On the one hand, the Scriptures very clearly admonish us to "keep [ourselves]without spot from the world." (James1:27; 4:4) The term "world" here, as in many places in the Bible,  has reference to the mass of humanity apart from the true Christians. We live in the midst of this society of people; we come in contact with them on the job, at school, in the neighborhood. (John 17:11, 15; 1 Corinthians 5:9, 10) Yet, we keep ourselves without spot from the world by shunning attitudes, speech, and conduct that conflict with God's righteous ways. It is also vital that we recognize the danger of intimate association with this world, particularly with those who show utter disregard for Jehovah's standards. 

Next time: Defending Our Faith - "Let Your Reasonableness Become Known to All Men" 

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Defending Our Faith

 Second, Jehovah's Witnesses have been targets of false accusations-barefaced lies and twisted presentations of their beliefs. As a result, they have been the object of unjustified attacks in some lands. Further, because they seek nonblood medical treatment that is in harmony with their desire to obey the Bible's command to 'abstain from blood' they have wrongly been labeled "child murders" and a "suicide cult."(Acts 15:29) But the fact is that Jehovah's Witnesses place a high value on life, and they seek to obtain the best available medical care for themselves and their children. The accusation that numerous children of Jehovah's Witnesses died each year as a result of refusing blood transfusions is totally unfounded. In addition, because Bible truth does not have the same effect on all family members, Witnesses have also been accused of breaking up families. Yet, those acquainted with Jehovah's Witnesses know that they highly regard family life and try to follow the Biblical commands that a husband-and-wife love and respect each other and that children obey their parents whether they are believers or not. - EPHESIANS 5:21-6:3. 

In many instances, the principal instigators of persecution of Jehovah's servants have turned out to be religious opposers who have used their influence with political authorities and the media to try to suppress the activities of the Witnesses. How should we, Jehovah's Witnesses, respond to such opposition-whether it is a result of our beliefs and practices or because of false accusations? 

Next time: Defending Our Faith - "Let Your Reasonableness Become Known to All Men" 

From the jw.org publications 

Defending Our Faith

 "Sanctify the Christ as our Lord in your hearts, always read to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you." -1 PETER 3:15. 

IN MOST countries, Jehovah's Witnesses are generally recognized as honest, clean-living people. Many view them as good neighbors who do not cause any trouble. Yet, ironically, these peace-loving Christians have suffered unjust persecution-in time of war and peace. They are not surprised by such opposition. In fact, they expect it. After all, they know that faithful Christians in the first century C.E. were "objects of hatred," so why should those endeavoring to be true followers of Christ today expect to be treated any differently? (Matthew 10:22) Besides, the Bible says: "All those desiring to live with Godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." -2 TIMOTHY 3:12.

Jehovah's Witnesses do not seek persecution, nor do they enjoy the hardships-fines, imprisonments, or harsh treatment-it may bring. They desire to 'lead a calm and quiet life' so that they can preach the good news of the Kingdom without hindrance. (1 Timothy 2:1, 2) They appreciate the religious freedom they have in most lands to carry on with their worship, and they conscientiously do what they can to "be peaceable with all men," including the ruler of human governments. (Romans 12:18; 13:1-7) Why, then, are they "objects of hatred"? 

    Basically, Jehovah's Witnesses have been unjustly hated for the same reasons that the early Christians were persecuted. First, Jehovah's Witnesses act upon the religious beliefs in ways that make them unpopular with some. For example, they zealously preach the good news of God's Kingdom, but people often misunderstand their zeal, viewing their preaching as aggressive proselytizing." (Compare Acts 4:19, 20.) They are also neutral toward the politics and wars of the nations, and sometimes this has been wrongly taken to mean that the Witnesses are disloyal citizens. - MICAH 4:3, 4.

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From the jw.org publications

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Help in the Community?

 . They sponsor literary programs that have helped tens of thousands of people worldwide learn to read and write. 

. They have organized over 400 Regional Building Committees worldwide to train volunteers in construction skills so that they can built centers of Bible education. In the past decade, over 20,000 houses of worship or Kingdom Halls, have been built. 

. They are involved in disaster relief around the world, rendering aid to Witnesses and non-Witnesses. In a two-year period following a recent spate of hurricanes that struck the United States, Witness volunteers rebuilt over 90 Kingdom Halls and 5,500 homes. 

Next time: Defending Our Faith

From the jw.org publications 

Do Jehovah's Witnesses Help the Community?

 Jehovah's Witnesses are politically neutral. They are, however, deeply involved in helping people of all races and backgrounds in their community. Consider a few facts:

. Jehovah's Witnesses include over seven million volunteers who spend total of more than 1.5 billion hours annually teaching people what the Bible contains and how it can help them overcome harmful habits and practices, build happy families, and otherwise improver their lives. 

. They print and distribute literature free of charge in over 500 languages, including some in which no other printed literature exists. 

. They conduct public speaking courses that have helped million learn to express themselves clearly and tactfully. 

Next time: Do Jehovah's Witnesses Help the Community?

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What Does the Devil Look Like? - Bible verses about the Devil

 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14: "Satan himself keep disguising himself as an angel of light." 

Meaning: Satan pretends to be good in order to fool people into following his teachings rather than those of God. 

EPHESIANS 6:11: "Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil." 

Meaning: The Devil schemes to get people to disobey God. 

JAMES 4:7: "Subject yourselves to God; but oppose the Devi9l, and he will flee from you." 

Meaning: A person can defeat Satan by obeying God rather than the Devil. 

Next time: Do Jehovah's Witnesses Help the Community?

From the jw.org publications

What Does the Devil Look Like? -How does the Bible describe the Devil?

 The Bible uses a number of analogies regarding the Devil. These help us to understand, not his appearance, but his personality. Some of these analogies include: 

. An angel of light. He pretends to offer something good to try to get people to follow his teachings rather than those of God. - 2 CORINTHIANS 11:14. 

. A roaring lion. He fiercely attacks God' s worshippers. - 1 PETER 5:8.

. A great dragon. He is frightful, powerful and destructive. - REVELATION 12:9.

Next time: What Does the Devil Look Like?- Bible verses about the Devil. 

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What Does the Devil Look Like?/The Bible's answer

 The Devil is an invisible spirit person, which means that he does not have a physical appearance. - EPHESIANS 6:11, 12.

A popular description of the Devil is that of a goatlike creature with horns, a tail, and pitchfork. Some have suggested that such depictions of the Devil were conceived by medieval artists who were like influenced by folklore and ancient mythology. 

Next time: What Does the Devil Look Like? - How Does the Bible describe the Devil?

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What Does the Bible Teach About Speaking in Tongues? -What about speaking in tongues today?

 The miraculous gift of speaking in tongues evidently ended about the end of the first century C.E. No one today can rightly claim to speak in tongues by God's power. 

How true Christians be identified?

Jesus said that self-sacrificing love would identify his disciples. (John 13:34, 35) Likewise, the apostle Paul taught that love would be a permanent identifier of genuine Christians. (1 Corinthians 13:1, 8) He indicated that God's spirit would produce in Christians the qualities referred to collectively as "the fruitage of the spirit, "the first qualities which is love. - GALATIANS 5:22, 23.

Next time: What Doest the Devil Look Like?/The Bible's answer

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