Saturday, December 3 2022

PJ54

Well-known member

Saturday, December 3 2022​

The thoughts of a man’s heart are like deep waters, but the discerning man draws them out.—Prov. 20:5.

To listen attentively to others, we need to be humble and patient. It is worth the effort for at least three reasons. First, we will be less likely to jump to wrong conclusions about people. Second, we can discern feelings and motives in our brother, and that will help us to be more empathetic. And third, we may help the person to learn something about himself. Sometimes we do not really understand even our own emotions until we express those emotions in words. Some of our brothers and sisters find it difficult to talk about their feelings because of their background, culture, or personality. It may take time for them to feel comfortable speaking to us, but only when they do will we be able to discern their true feelings. If we imitate Jehovah by being patient, we can earn their confidence. Then, when they are ready to share their feelings, we should listen attentively. w20.04 15-16 ¶6-7
Examining the Scriptures Daily—2022

Will Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to have love?​


Thursday, October 9 2014​

Have love for the whole association of brothers, be in fear of God.—1 Pet. 2:17.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have a healthy fear of displeasing God, and this provides them with added motivation to do his will. They are happy to be serving Jehovah as part of a worldwide association of brothers and sisters who have the same desire. Therefore, it is only natural for them to “have love for the whole association of brothers.” Such brotherly love, which is so rare in today’s selfish society, comes at times as a surprise to non-Witnesses. For example, a tour guide working with an American travel agency was amazed at the affection and assistance shown by the Witnesses to foreign delegates at an international convention in Germany in 2009. She said that in all her years of serving as a guide, she had never seen anything like it. Have you heard similar reactions of people who observed the Witnesses at a convention that you have attended? w12 12/15 3:18

Commentary

The real test lies ahead. Will Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to have love for one another when things go terribly wrong? Jesus foretold that during a time of tribulation “many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another.” He also said the love of the greater number will cool off due to the increasing of lawlessness. This is certain to come about in the near future, when the world is plunged into war and chaos. The coming global tumult will completely shatter the Watchtower’s credibility.
 

Watchman

Moderator
Staff member
The Watchtower offers some important advice about listening to others. Oh if only they would follow their own counsel! My experience over the years is that the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses does not listen. Neither do the elders. I have literally sent 10s of thousands of snail and email messages, hundreds of books and brochures, without ever getting a positive response. Here are a few email responses I received from elders who responded to my Kingdom Bulletin #10. The GB certainly does not listen to nobody individuals such as myself. Of course, they do not listen to God either. And that is not my opinion: "Listen, you who are deaf; Look and see, you who are blind. Who is blind except my servant, so deaf as the messenger I send?" - Isaiah 42:18-19
 

PJ54

Well-known member
The Watchtower offers some important advice about listening to others. Oh if only they would follow their own counsel! My experience over the years is that the leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses does not listen. Neither do the elders. I have literally sent 10s of thousands of snail and email messages, hundreds of books and brochures, without ever getting a positive response. Here are a few email responses I received from elders who responded to my Kingdom Bulletin #10. The GB certainly does not listen to nobody individuals such as myself. Of course, they do not listen to God either. And that is not my opinion: "Listen, you who are deaf; Look and see, you who are blind. Who is blind except my servant, so deaf as the messenger I send?" - Isaiah 42:18-19
It's as if they don't even consider the possibility that things might go differently than what they anticipate. Charting into unknown waters is where they are at now. If they don't look around carefully, they might miss the icebergs, rocks, & sandbars. Plus, there's a lot of fog. A spiritual Titanic is in the making with what it seems to be a deliberate plan to crash the boat.
 

mts

Well-known member
@Watchman unfortunately, you are so right. Having an open-mind, not jumping to conclusions, reflection, meditation and profound analysis with bible-based and/or real evidence has nearly gone out the window. Many talk-the-talk but don't walk-the-walk, which is hypocritical. In order to be a approachable, trustworthy and a true confidant, listening without judgement is key, right? However, in my opinion, this has faded into the abyss. Truly sad. For those of us left attempting to keep this balance and apply it in the cong, it is seen as a weakness, being permissive or lacking assertiveness; consequently, the so-called bigger privileges are given to those with the non-listening quality. It's refreshing to see that my views are not crazy and am not alone.
 
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