June 20, 2006
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Good Morning – Weather report today: one teen dark and stormy, one teen neutral, other teen uncertain, he is still asleep. Sigh. I am public enemy number 1 because I insisted my daughter attend her 8th grade graduation. It doesn’t matter that my husband also insisted, I am the enemy. I am praying for peace.
I have a question for you. We seem to be on the Jehovah Witness hit list, and people are coming frequently to our house. My husband is polite, takes their literature, listens and then they leave. I have also at times been there, been polite, listened, asked questions, then pointed out to them that I am born again, that I do not agree with their understanding of Jesus and the Bible, that they are wasting their time trying to convert us. But they seem to think that my husband is a prime target, but he is Catholic and does not agree with them either.
Well, last time they brought in the heavy guns. We used to have a woman and her trainees. Now we seem to have attracted a man with the woman and the man I suspect is a pastor/elder or whatever they call their higher ups. He gave me two Bible passages. I was talking with him about how I have a personal relationship with Jesus, that since I have had Jesus in my life things are so much better. I pointed out that my main disagreement with Jehovah Witnesses is that they do not believe that Jesus is God – I pointed out the difference in our Bibles regarding John 1:1. Well he gave me two passages, 1 Corintians 15:20-28, and 1 Cor. 11:3, these talk about the body of Christ, with Christ being the head, under God. I am trying to figure out how best to show that that does not imply that Christ is not God when he comes back (he came back two days later but we were heading out the door and Jim couldn’t talk with him). I thought of Revelation 22:13 that shows that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. Then I thought about asking him if he was married-he is a husband; does he have a child – he is a father; is he a pastor/elder or what kind of employee he is. And then point out that when he is acting as a husband that does not negate that he is also a father and pastor. That God can be Jesus, Holy Spirit, and God, and it is the same God.
Do you have any ideas of how to respond in love to them? Obviously telling them point blank that they are wasting their time trying to convert us isn’t working. My husband does not want to point blank tell them not to come. So I keep praying for them, but I feel sort of inadequate dealing with them. Maybe the reason they keep coming back when it is apparent that it is futile is that the Holy Spirit is trying to plant some truth into their philosophy. But I suspect that they think that they can make an inroad into our house through Jim – but I suspect that will not happen because Jim does know that Jesus is God. They have their own mindset regarding the Bible, so I suspect my questions and thoughts may not even be listened to. I also invited them to Living Word Chapel’s Bible study and she says that she is uncomfortable around Pastor Don, hmmmm wonder why. Any help is really appreciated.
Later today I will try to add more about my Genesis reading. I am finding that I like Abram/Abraham so much because he gives me hope when I make a mistake in my life, that God can still use me inspite of myself.
Heather
Comments (23)
One thing that you have to remember is that they are a cult….I’ll probably catch slack for that…but I’ve studied them in depth and know that what they tell people when they come to your door is NOT the same as what you will hear once you get in. So my advice is to treat them as you would if WICCA came knocking at your door trying to convince you that they’re good witches and not bad witches. Be firm. If you’ve been polite and they are continuing to press forward….take a stand. Just think of it as Satan trying to worm his way into your home and tell him NO.
Have a blessed day!
Michele
I was talking with a “friend” that is a JW late last year, early this year. Their thinking is twisted and they go back on what they say. Keep praying for them. You are planting seeds of Truth in them with what you are saying. Pray for the Holy Spirit to make those seeds grow. This “friend” of mine is trying to run from the Holy Spirit but it’s not going to work. I just know my life sucked when I was talking with her because she kept attacking me. My friends finally told me to cut ties with her because Satan was using her to get to me.
Maybe invite them to a home study?
One thing that would work would be to plead the blood of Jesus over your family and home.
Plead it for your family’s protection. You have the authority over your home. A good book on the subject is “The Blood and the Glory” by Billye Brim
Hope that helps… btw i saw your name on the Reflections blogring
Bryan
You know what, you really got me to thinking on this one. I do believe you used a great example about how being a father and employee does not negate being a pastor. I’m really going to have to chew on this one a while.
Thanks alot Heather for giving me just one more thing to think about! What a friend you are!
Just kidding. This is stuff we should all know.
Have an awesome day!
I did a home study with some Japanese JW’s in hopes that I could get them to see the light, but they finally decided to withdraw from me. The more I studied with them the more holes I saw that they punched in the Bible. I was told that all of the promises that I held dear were not for me, but only for the 144,000 admitted into heaven. So I was now supposed to enter a hierarchy where I am saved by works? And I am not allowed to take communion? And the Holy Spirit is not a person but only power? I got so angry that they would treat the Bible this way that I started to cry and told them that the awful things that they were doing to the Bible were breaking my heart. They decided to end the study. This is now a main line that I use against them and they leave me alone. I believe that all of the promises in the Bible are for ME, and to believe the JW line would be nothing but a major loss. Hey, I am promised HEAVEN!! Why should I want to downgrade?
Sorry it has taken me so long to comment back. This past week has been really been hectic and it appears that there is no end in sight. As an Army (Reserve) Chaplain we have a lot of rotations of units going on for summer encampments as well as deployments out of country as well as in-country. To add to that… the National Guard is very low on Chaplains and we are taking on some of the task that are normally done by their Chaplains as well. So we are doing double duty. This is a great time of ministry though.. as you get to touch a lot of families who otherwise don’t have anything to do with church or preachers. Have a blessed week and may the Lord be with you in all that you do.
Phil
I agree, they are a cult. I was sharing with my husband and he said to just tell them point blank “I am not interested.” That should do it, since conversion to their “religion” is their mission. Pray the Blood of Jesus over your family as I’m sure you’re already doing. My husband also warned, do not let them in your home. God bless you and your family! Have a good and Godly day! : )
LOL….I remember that now!
i didn’t mind you subscribing at all, lol
i just started a blogring if you would like to join that as well
it’s called Living Sacrifices: The sons of God
very nice to meet you,
Bryan
I have to agree with the posts that you told you not let them into your home. They are a cult! “thats italian” gave you some good advice. I understand about wanting to share your faith with them but if they aren’t open to it, which is obvious since otheres are coming to see you too, you can’t do anything else right now. Let God deal with them. God may have been asking you to plant seeds that some one else may harvest later.
thanks for stopping by and for the prayers… as far as being the enemy I am always the enemy too. it always happens that way. my daughter didnt speak to me for months…. ggrrr.. have a blessed day I pray that things will get better for ya…………..T
True, they are a cult. I once had a friend who was JW. When they talk about ”Jesus” or “Holy Spirit”, they don’t mean the same thing you do. Their meaning is totally different. They believe the Holy Spirit is just a force, and Jesus is just a prophet and not God.
Whether you continue talking to them or not is between you and the Lord, but if they don’t want to hear about being born again, then you are just wasting your valuable time. I definetely would NOT take their literature. They think you need their literature to understand the bible. I tell them no, I only need Jesus to interpret His own words.
Be VERY firm about what you believe.
They believe when ppl don’t listen to them that they are “being persecuted for righteousness’s sake”.
It is not wrong to tell them you are not interested.
love u…
Heather,
My dear wife wasted, and I mean WASTED, hours of time with the JWs last year on Saturdays when I was out at work (were I home, I wouldn’t have let her bother with them.) Then, they had the nerve to ring my bell on CHRISTMAS DAY to come after ME, figuring I’d be home…….not only was it CHRISTMAS, but it was SUNDAY, they had the disrespect for OUR religion to try to convert me to THEIR way of thinking on SUNDAY……!!!!! I told them in a nice way “we’re Christians, please don’t come back” and they HAVEN’T. I doubt if you or anyone else here is going to like what I’m going to say, but the Bible says we should not cast our pearls before swine. When I think of the HOURS my wife spent trying to patiently deal with them, and how they in essence trampled the pearls of the Gospel underfoot by trying to seduce me to their lies on CHRISTMAS DAY…….I have never, ever ONCE regretted that decision. By merely CONVERSING with them you are, in their eyes, giving them credibility……don’t “dignify them with a response”, under than, when they ring your bell, to identify yourself as a Christian and get rid of them. Do you think if WE went to THEIR doors to proseletyze THEM, that they’d study Scripture with US as if we’re all on equal footing?
Best regards
Chet
I agree with Chet – I would definitely not try to have a “Bible study” with them. As someone else said, they may use the same words, but they’re speaking a totally different language. It takes discernment to know the differences. Not saying that you don’t have discernment, of course, because otherwise you wouldn’t have posted this!
And of course, that doesn’t mean that you should be rude or mean in talking with them; but I think you should be firm in telling them that you know what you believe.
One thing my dad has done with them is to simply tell them that he doesn’t believe in their basic premise. The basic premise of JW’s is that God is finished with the Jewish people, and that JW’s are expected to “usher in the kingdom”. That could not be farther from the truth! I’m sure you know that God is far from finished with His people, and even Paul said that one day all Israel will be saved. I could go on, but won’t … I’ll be praying for wisdom for you in this.
Chet mentioned what I was thinking….it can be a HUGE waste of time because they are there to try to convert YOU and they have their proof texts and won’t listen to your arguments….think of when you are witnessing to someone, unless they are ready, you can’t convince them so you have to let the Spirit lead…Yes, be polite but firm and tell them you are a child of God and thank-you but no thank-you, something to that effect.
Blessings,
Mike
Hi i’m very new here. But i enjoyed your post today. But i’m especially interested in this one about the JW. What everyone said about not letting them in your house is a great idea, the cast not your pearls thing. Something else you might want to do is to annoint your house with oil. I have been learning about spiritual warfare in my class at church, and spirits can come in your house in various different ways….including on the bottom of one’s feet and in literature. I propose you clean house….Annoint every opening in your house with oil, pleading the blood of Jesus, this includes inside doorways and window openings. I believe said spirits can attach themselves to you or your children….be it the spirit of fear, rebellion, etc.
Blessings!
The Jehovah’s Witnesses have been avoiding me for a while. They stopped by my house again on May 10 (after having withdrawn over a year ago after I invited them in and had a discussion lengthy enough to make their superior stop by and practically drag them away), so I asked them if we could get together for another discussion session. They said they’d be in touch shortly, and I still haven’t heard from them. No fair, other people get all the Jehovah’s Witnesses…
With the passage in 1 Corinthians 11, it might be good to remind them that 1 Corinthians 11:3 uses the relationship between a man and a woman as an analogy to the relationship between the Father and Christ. You could maybe ask them if they believe that a man and a woman are equally human. I’m pretty confident that they’ll say yes. So if they can be equally human and still have one described as the “head” of the other, you could ask them why having the Father described as the “head” of Jesus would mean that they couldn’t be equally divine.
For 1 Corinthians 15, basically the same thing holds. If a human king can have authority over a human prince without diminishing either’s humanity, then the Father can have authority over the Son without diminishing either’s deity.
I’ve been specializing in the topic of the deity of Christ lately. I made a very long post about it here at the end of May, and I think it covers most of the bases (although I’ve done a lot of work on that chapter since I posted it). Maybe there’s something in it that could help you. I find John 20:28-29 to be a good verse for showing that Jesus is God, since Thomas called Jesus “God” pretty straightforwardly in that passage and Jesus showed no disagreement.
One tactic I remember once hearing for dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses is to ask them if you can begin your meeting with a prayer. Odds are, they’ll say yes. If you begin your prayer by addressing God as “Jehovah”, they may feel inclined to bow their heads in prayer, and then you’d essentially have a chance to pray the Gospel without fear of interruption.
Something I always try to remember with Jehovah’s Witnesses is that they’re people first, cultists second. Their thinking has been powerfully distorted by the influence of the Watchtower, and they’ve been supplied with a number of “proof texts”, as well as a mistranslation of the Bible that they call the New World Translation. They aren’t used to encountering informed resistance, and while they might just shrug it off, there are cases in which the seeds of doubt can be planted and the Watchtower’s hold on them can be broken. The power of prayer can have a profound impact, especially when those seeds are planted. You probably aren’t the only Christian family they encounter, and the cumulative impact of Christians praying and contending for the faith can be a powerful thing, especially when one plants, another waters, and then God grants the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). Even cultists need Christ in their lives, just as anyone needs Christ. They’re a mission field on home delivery.
And if they see informed opposition, they’re fairly likely to run. And those ideas, so contrary to what the Watchtower teaches them, may just stick. And if they don’t flee at first, it’s a chance for another heapin’ helpin’ of the truth.
And as a last note, if they bring up any other passages and you aren’t quite sure how to explain it, there’s a great Christian community on xanga who can help. Never forget the support of other believers, and know that our prayers will be with you.
In Christ, and God bless,
JB
A few afterthoughts on things you can say to the Witnesses.
First, ask them to open their Bibles (even if they’re holding their New World Translation) and read out loud Psalm 102:19-28. After they do, ask them whom the author is addressing at the end. Their answer should be “Jehovah”. If it isn’t, ask them to read it again. After they’ve agreed that the passage is about Jehovah, you can ask them to turn to Hebrews 1:1-9. Ask them who is being addressed there in Hebrews 1:8-9, where they’ve mistranslated it as “God is your throne forever and ever”. (That’s quoting from Psalm 45:6-7, incidentally.) Their answer should be “the Son”, “Jesus”, or “Christ”. If they get that right, you can ask if the way the NWT starts the next verse indicates that the next quote is also being directed to Jesus. They should say yes. If they don’t, you can ask them how else you’re supposed to interpret a quoted address to a person, followed by “and” and then another quoted address to someone. Then, have them read the rest of Hebrews 1 out loud. You can ask them what Old Testament passage Hebrews 1:10-12 quotes from “with reference to the Son”. They should know, because it’s in Psalm 102, in the part you’ve already had them read aloud. And they’ve already agreed that the passage was being addressed to Jehovah in the Old Testament, and now they can see that the same passage is applied to Jesus in the New Testament. It may take a while, but hopefully it could eventually sink in.
As they process that, you could take them to John 12:37-41, have them read it out loud, and ask them whose glory Isaiah saw. They should say Jesus, because that’s the only answer that makes sense in light of the passage, since it’s all about Jesus. If they refuse to concede that it’s Jesus, you could either ask them to read it again, or else move on to a different verse. But if they do admit that it’s Jesus, you can ask them where that quote from Isaiah can be found. My guess is that even an elder wouldn’t know off the top of his head. So you can take them to Isaiah and have them read the first ten verses, which includes the verses that John quotes. Then, you can ask whose glory Isaiah sees in that passage. It’s pretty clear that the one he’s seeing is God. Even the New World Translation has Isaiah lamenting that although he is a “man unclean in lips”, his “eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of armies, himself”. So the Jehovah’s Witness should concede that Isaiah is seeing Jehovah’s glory. Yet earlier, they should have admitted that John says that Isaiah saw Jesus’ glory. At that point, you can ask, “Why would John say that unless he wanted to identify Jesus with Jehovah?” By that point, hopefully the Jehovah’s Witnesses will have a lot to think about on their way home when they have to leave.
In Christ,
JB
Hi Heather,
I’m sure hope that peace has hit the household by now. You are so sweet to be so patient with your Jehovah’s Witnesses. I pray that the Lord will give you the right words and the right way to deal with them. I know a lady came to my house once and she was saying that Jesus was no longer a baby in the manger. I told her that I realized that that he grew up went to the cross and died for my sins and now He is living in my heart she didn’t have to much to say after that. I pray that the Lord can use what seed you have already sown.
Love ya, Darlena
Not quite as passionate as Chet
but agree. Just ask them to please not come back, period.
The most important scripture to use in this case is where we are told to not cast our pearls before swine. Don’t try and out argue them, simply ask them not to come back. You can invite them to your church if you like, although Im sure that would not be pretty. You can ask to pray for them – not with them, they will see it as an open door. You can even share YOUR literature with them (have some good tracts ready to pass out when they get there.) But do not waste too much time trying to disprove them, only GOD can open their eyes and HE will let you know if you need to act.
on another note:
My favorite JW story was told by Mark Lowery – the Christian Comedian. He tells of his crazy Aunt that would see the JW coming up her drive and immediately write 666 on her forehead with a magic marker and then answer the door.
Personally as a clown/jester/children’s entertainer I have such an assortment of crazy costumes I can freak out any “normal” person and especially any JW that comes to my door. Imagine a 350 pound “Resurection Rabbit” – formerly the Easter Bunny – delivering a fire and brimstone salvation message to a group of JW.
Although they quit coming to my house when I tried to recruit them all for AMWAY. (True Story)
Heather, all these comments are excellent and expressed far better than I could. But this morning when I read today’s devotional by Spurgeon I immediately thought of your post. Maybe you have read it already but if not here is the link to it: http://www.spurgeon.org/morn_eve/this_morning.cgi
Not that this would convince your JW visitors but it will bless you for sure.
Dorrice
I tried to read the comments, but when I got to the ‘plead for the Blood of Jesus over your home’… if you’re saved, aren’t we confident that we’re covered by that blood? I’m… uh… nevermind.
I direct you to 2 John 10. They’re not seeking, they’re bringing another doctrine than the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You should not even be bidding them godspeed, according to the Word.