xjwsforChrist

May you all have peace!... and thank you, in advance, to any who might respond... regardless of your response.

I have been seriously looking and searching for places in the Bible... from Genesis to the Revelation... where those folks who appear to have been servants of God or Christ, or even Christ himself "spoke" in a, I guess the word TODAY would be "kindly" (although, I don't think that's quite accurate) way to others. By "kindly", I mean in a way that was not most truthful, perhaps even direct/forthright.

Now, I can find all manner of instances where others who were NOT servants of the True God did so... including the Adversary. And I realize that there are many accounts where it APPEARS that the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies, was perhaps even brutal (knowing His mercy, however, I am not able to accept all of those instances as truth). Even so, I am trying to find instances where he engaged in the so-called "diplomacy" of THIS day (where folks don't say what they mean or mean what they say, but say what others want them to say... or at least, how others want it to be said, etc.).

Of course, I realize just asking THIS is going to raise some eyebrows. If so, please overlook my puerility, if you can, and perhaps just chalk it up to the ignorant child in me who "really wants to know."

[Funny, an account just came to my mind, the one where they brought the women caught in the act of adultery to him. He did not condemn her, no of course not. But he didn't "soothe" her, either. Rather, he asked her a direct question ("Woman, where are they/your accusers? Has no one condemned you?") and when she replied, "No one, sir," he simply told that he didn't, either, and for her to go her way, her sin was no more. He didn't poo-poo her about what had transpired, didn't tell her that she'd been treated unfairly, didn't counsel her about her personal life, past OR future (actually, he didn't counsel ANYONE about their personal lives - he didn't even ADDRESS folks PERSONAL issues, but only their SPIRITUAL issues - indeed, he sent two brothers who ASKED him to decide a personal matter off WITHOUT counsel... other than to ask them what made them think HE had been appointed to decide such things for them).

Was he cold? No, he was not. He felt sorrow, yes, but only when people were physically sick and/or died. Otherwise, his "advice" was to seek the kingdom... because in DOING so, ALL of one's OTHER [personal] problems... whether food, clothing, finances, relationships, etc.,... would be RESOLVED). On at least one occasion he demonstrated outright anger, yes, but on MANY occasions he simply "told it like it was", even to his "friends"... EVEN if his doing so risked hurting their feelings.

So, I am trying to "see" this man that so many say of to ME, "He didn't talk like... wouldn't say, etc." Because I don't see him in the Bible. And I don't hear him as such now. He is the same now... as he was then... and always will be: one who TRUTHFULLY said of himself:

Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.
My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.
All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.
To the discerning all of them are right;"

And so, because of this, he also states:

"they are upright to those who have found knowledge."

They are NEVER offensive to such ones, even with they are direct. EVEN... if they are blunt.

Through the Bible I absolutely see a man who WAS kind... but that was born out in what he DID: feeding people (who weren't even destitute)... healing people who were... resurrecting the dead... forgiving folks their sins and so releasing them from the burden of their consciences... giving his life... and his blood... and not in "how" he said what he said. I still see... and hear... that person.

But I cannot "see" the man that was not ALWAYS forthright and truthful... even when others took exception, were irritated at what he said... even wanted to kill him for it.

Can someone show me that "man", please? Alternatively, if you perhaps "see" a different man than what you THOUGHT you knew while you're searching, can you share that with us, as well?

In the meantime, I leave you with the thought... the TRUTH... that Christ was not a man of "polite society," dear ones. THAT... was the priests, scribes, and Pharisees. Indeed, how do you think they were ABLE to fool and mislead Israel?? By being blunt? Honest? Direct? Forthright? Surely not.

Christ, however, was a man of TRUTH... ALWAYS... whether others wanted to hear... or refrain. And direct. Even with his "friends." Now, that didn't endear him to a whole lot of people; indeed, many left off following him BECAUSE of what he said to them. And many more called for his death... BECAUSE of his words. In the end, then, only a few remained. Indeed, only one (man)... out of 11... was actually with him when he died.

Please know, I am NOT trying to contend. I really am trying to "see" what is NOT apparent (to ME) in the writings. Or, alternatively, help others to perhaps see what IS there.

If we can bear his words... this his APPEARANCE is going to be all the more difficult, dear ones. Because THAT is how WE, his Body, will FIRST "know"... and "see" him.

Again, peace to you!

Servant to the Household of God, Israel, and those who go with, and a slave of Christ,

Shellamar, who (smile) was just now reminded by my dear Lord of HIS words ("Did I NOT tell you, child...?") recorded at Luke 6:26. So, PRAISE JAH... for His Son and Holy Spirit... a TRUE "Comforter" indeed! How can one NOT wish to live AS he did? 1 John 2:3-6

Good evening to you Shelby,

Our Lords ministry was only 3 1/2 years and he knew in this short amount of time he could not spare the feelings of people knowing it could cost their everlasting life if he did NOT tell them truth. He could not call himself " I am the way and the TRUTH and the life"... And then go and tell them half- truths and what they wanted to hear from him. Where would the LOVE and TRUTH be in that?

In my reading over the last several years, I have come to read and KNOW of an incredible being. A loving, compassionate, merciful forgiving, kind, high priest, shephard, mediator and father.
But he will not spare my feelings when I need the training/ discipline to get me/ keep me on track.
And I am grateful that he cares enough to help me see what I need to be perfected by him!
I realize even when it is hard to take that it is only for my own good. And ALWAYS out of love!

So thank you for sharing and asking as to this,
Love to you, your sister in Christ Kim

VERY funny thing (IMHO), dear 'Mom (mornin' and peace to you, luv!): as I'm reading your comment a commercial comes on the TV for a cell phone service that promises cheaper prices (due to not having to build/maintain antenna towers). It was a pleasant commercial... with the commentator showing various locations where the service "works" ("like here" and he's shown hanging from a tower with various background depictions, including in the city, near the ocean, in the desert, and by a mountain lake... "but not here" (under the sea) - "that would be weird").

The commercial was humorous... but what was funny... or kismet, if you will, though, was... again, as I was reading YOUR comments, the commentator ends with:

"The world needs more straight talk"!!

LOLOLOLOLOLOL! I mean, can I get an "AMEN", my sistah??!

I know that some say "the Lord works in mysterious ways." I don't think his ways are so mysterious. Just sometimes not as... mmmmmmm... "conventional"... as some think/would like. Sometimes... it really IS just a "little" thing... tiny even... a "small" voice... that serves as a "second witness"... but not necessarily from WHERE one expects it to come (John 3:8) - LOLOL!

I certainly needed that one! LOLOLOL!

Gonna be a GREAT day! See you soon! Peace!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar, who knows there's gonna some eye-rollin' over THIS one, but, ah well... it is what it is... LOLOL!

Funny : )

I thought that was funny too.

Also though, it is interesting what one's ear may be attuned to, so that you did hear it rather than tune it out as background static; as some might.

Peace,
tammy

Yes, it was, dear At... and yes, I heard it loud and clear, dear tec... and knew it was meant FOR me to hear (mornin' and peace to you both!). But it didn't stop there, so please permit me to continue (because it caused me to GREATLY rejoice and so I ask you patience and indulgence!).

As I was typing THAT, my Lord reminded me of what Paul wrote to the Romans. When I read it in the NWT, I almost choked on a bit of my tea! He wrote:

"Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who create divisions and causes for stumbling contrary to the teaching that you have learned, and avoid them. For men of that sort are slaves, not of our Lord Christ, but of their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattering speech they seduce the hearts of unsuspecting ones. Your obedience has come to the notice of all, and so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise as to what is good, but innocent as to what is evil." Romans 16:17-19

SO much (for me) in these verses! First, the NWT formerly stated "smooth talk and complimentary speech." And good LORDY have I come to know how many want to be "complimented," in this work! In this WORLD! They need the flattery; yet, isn't only CHRIST whom we should be "complimenting"??

Second, look at what such speech does: seduces HEARTS! Of "unsuspecting" ones. Who are these? Our dear Lord told them and us: "FALSE christs and FALSE prophets will arise... to mislead, IF POSSIBLE... EVEN the chosen ones." If such chosen ones SUSPECTED that they were being seduced by smooth talk and flattery, they couldn't BE misled. Some, indeed, many, of THEM are tricked, too, though... by words that "tickle" their ears. But it is not the EARS that we are to be appealing to - it is the SPIRIT.

Then, I had to ask as to "But what is meant by 'evil' here, my Lord?"... and, again, what a rejoicing! Because he said to me:

"What do YOU think I meant when I said 'Let your yes MEAN yes, and your no MEAN no,' child? Was it not to "say what you mean and mean what you say"... because ANYTHING ELSE... is from your Adversary, whose works are evil, and NOT from me?"

Of course, I knew this was true! But before I could even respond in agreement, he gave me a WONDERFUL "reward" - and I do mean wonderful, at least for me! It was Proverbs 19:1, which, in the NWT states:

"It is better to be poor and walk in integrity
Than to be stupid and speak lies."

We, mankind, have gone SO far from speaking truth with one another. We are SO concerned with "politeness," and "political correctness," and such. And perhaps there are appropriate times and places for such things. For instance, when dealing with worldly matters (yet, even then, such should be done in all honesty, so...). But those things are OUTSIDE of the "NEW Jerusalem", yes... and so there is no place FOR them INSIDE... meaning, when dealing with things of the spirit and kingdom of God? They are of THIS world, NOT God's kingdom:

"Outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism and those who are sexually immoral and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices lying." Revelation 22:15

And while most believe that everyone lies, JAH and Christ do not believe this. Indeed:

"These are the ones who did not defile themselves with women; in fact, they are virgins. These are the ones who keep following the Lamb no matter where he goes. These were bought from among mankind as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb, and no deceit was found in their mouths; they are without blemish." Revelation 14:4, 5

Of course, some will roll their eyes (again) and say, "OMG, does she think SHE is among those spoken of there?!!" But the TRUTH is that it doesn't matter if I do or don't... or whether I am or am not. That was not the point. The point is that not everyone DOES lie. John 1:47

Most do, though... but sadly, are in denial (Don't Even kNow It's A Lie). They truly do not get that just as faithful in LEAST... is faithful in MUCH... to JAH and Christ... deception in least is deception is much, as well. A LITTLE "leaven"... ferments the ENTIRE lump.

And someone might say, "What, she wants us to believe she has never lied?" Nothing could be further from the truth - I once was part OF a lie... and went door to door trying to get others to be a part of it, too... by lying to them! So, yes, of course, I, too, was "outside." But, I made a ("nazirite" vow - to lie as to them NO MORE) and having stuck TO that vow, am now in an situation similar to Isaiah:

"I said: “Woe to me!
I am as good as dead,
For I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, JaHVeH of armies himself!”

At that, one of the seraphs flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth and said:

“Look! This has touched your lips.
Your guilt is removed,
And your sin is atoned for.”

I was not "touched by an angel" as dear Isaiah was... but by the Son himself. And I remember it clearly. Because it was when he said the following to me, and I responded as Isaiah did:

"... who will go for us?” And I said: “Here I am! Send me!”
And he replied, “Go, and say to this people:
‘You will hear again and again,
But you will not understand;
You will see again and again,
But you will not get any knowledge.’"

And I went. Starting with Bethel of the WTBTS... and then with their elders... and then with those who call themselves "Israel" and "anointed' and "christians". I took, have taken, and still take the truth to them, exactly as I receive it FROM the Truth. Including this I am sharing with you today. And, for the most part, it has been EXACTLY as he said it would be:

"Make the heart of this people unreceptive,
Make their ears unresponsive,
And paste their eyes together,
So that they may not see with their eyes
And hear with their ears,
So that their heart may not understand
And they may not turn back and be healed.”

And I used to ask the same question Isaiah did:

“How long, O JaHVeH?”

Because, like most, I wanted my commitment to be quick, relative short... not, say, 60 years (like John, et al.). But I learned many years ago, it is not pursuant to MY time line... but to JAH's mercy!

And so I ACCEPTED the "terms" -

“Until the cities crash in ruins without an inhabitant
And the houses are without people
And the land is ruined and desolate;
Until JaHVeH removes men far away
And the deserted condition of the land becomes very extensive."

So, a long time, I realized. Perhaps my entire lifetime. But I committed, and so there is no "end" for me... per MY choice. If it turns out to BE my entire lifetime... then so be it. But that's okay BECAUSE:

“... there will still be a tenth in it, and it will again be burned, like a big tree and like an oak, which after they are cut down leave a stump; a holy seed will be its stump.”

So, I knew there would always be a few (NOT 9/10ths... or 5/10ths... or 2/10ths... but ONE-tenth)... and always, ALWAYS... the Stump, Root of Jesse, True Vine... Sprout! - the Tree of LIFE who came to me himself... the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah). I am not ashamed of him, I am not afraid of others because of him, I will NOT hide MY light under a basket, I will NOT shrink back, I will CONTINUE to follow him WHEREVER he goes... and shout FROM THE ROOFTOPS what he tells ME... all along the way. Whether others hear... or refrain. Because I am not doing it for THEM, except to the extent they love him, too. Otherwise, I am doing it for him, and him alone... out of my love FOR him... and his atoning for ME... even before I ever came into THIS world.

Sorry, dear At... but the spirit is almost overwhelming in me, this lovely morning! I MUST... PRAISE JAH... and praise His Son... and I can't do that HONESTLY... without bearing witness to WHY I want to. Not that I am anything - my purpose in sharing these things is NOT to boast about myself... but about HIM. Because it is FOR him... and by MEANS of him... that ALL of these things have even OCCURRED with me. NONE of it is of my own doing, effort, or initiative... but purely and solely to do HIS loving kindness and mercy. All praise, then, is due to the MOST HIGH God, the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies... and to the Son He had told us to KISS: the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit... my Lord, my King, my Savior, and my Master... JAHESHUA, the TRUE Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah)!

Let EVERY living breathing thing... PRAISE JAH... and give the glory and honor to His SON!

My apologies, dear, dear ones - MY heart is rejoicing... and overflowing. "Food... at the proper time" can do that - fill one UP, indeed, provide "refreshment" for our spirits! And once again, HE has refreshed me, as he ALWAYS does, after another attempt by the Adversary to play his games. Matthew 4:11 So I am looking forward to a WONDERFUL day... even though it's cold as an eskimo's nose!

Peace, dear lady... and to all of you dears ones...truly!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

I think most here wouldn’t want to be lied to; this is not that kind of forum, and it does not take long to find out if you want to be here or not.

I agree with you that kindness is more of an action than words. But I think some have also been perhaps traumatized by past relationships, where a mate, etc., used blatant honesty as an excuse for cruelty, actually enjoying hurting someone, laughing with evil glee as they were reduced to tears.
So, naturally, some are going to be sensitive to how an honest fact is presented. But most here know that it does not bring you pleasure to have to say some things that need saying – sometimes you keep it to yourself a while, until you can bring yourself to do it.

There are two instances I can think of in the bible where the Lord was sensitive to a situation, (Now mind you, it was the watchtower that called this to my attention, so it may be wrong.) and they are both in Mark 7.

One, where he told the Greek woman, “it is not right to take the bread of the children and throw it to the (little) dogs”. He seemed to have softened this by saying little dogs instead of just dogs.

And then to heal the deaf man, he took him away privately.

So, I think he did show kindness, but never would he have said something that wasn’t true to assuage people’s feelings.

It is good to have a person in our lives that will tell us truth – and I have at least two: you and my little grandson; he can be a little brutal, but it does not come from a bad heart, but pure honesty.

Why are you apologizing? Be overwhelmed with spirit....lol. Hope you have a wonderful day.

I am loving your post Shelby. Last night's developments made me heartsick. Truly. I am appalled at people's' inability to see or hear or desire or even tolerate truth. This post is helping to revive me.

More than that, I have spent years trying to 'tone down' my straight talking to appease family/friends, whatever. I wandered far from my honesty I suppose, became a shadow of me that might be more acceptable. It was the wrong road to take and it's taken me a long time to find my way back to being honest with who I really am. (Hope I'm making sense here).

I love the Romans 16 quote, thank you. And thanks to our Lord for the insights he shares.

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

I can relate to that, Loz. I called it 'doing my impression of a human'; but it did not feel good.

Thanks for this topic. Keep it going.

Let me ask this: is there a difference between being "kindly" such that it assuages the receiver and being silent so as to not speak a lie?

A common situation that comes up is that a JW will make a statement that is simply untrue because they have been deceived into believing it. When we know the person well enough to know what will cause a stir with them, or even make them angry (why in the world they get so angry is completely beyond my comprehension, but that's another topic altogether) is it better to just remain silent?

I love your post too, Shelby, and your joy and your peace and your love for our Lord... is overflowing in your words.

Peace and love to you,
tammy

Peace... and thank you to you, all!

I am apologizing, dear At (peace to you, dear one!)... because I truly am "sorry" that some feel "hurt", when they do regarding these things. I don't want anyone to feel pain; nor does JAH/Christ. But sometimes it can't be avoided, yes? I hope your dear grandson hangs on to himself... as far as the honesty goes. Most babes ARE honest, until us "sensitive" adults teach them that it's not "proper" to be. I'm with dear LQ (peace to you, as well, luv!): baffles me at what some take offense AT, and particularly when it's truth. And yes, ma'am, our dear Lord did soften his words to the lady; yet, some would take offense at being called a dog, regardless of whether it was a "little" one, yes? LOLOL!

And he took the man away to heal him privately... but NOT to show kindness to the man (the HEALING itself was the "kindness"). If you recall the account, he said that man had been born blind so that he could BE healed... so that Christ was God was glorified in Christ DOING such healing. He did not do it in front of everyone, though... so that the man could give the witness, which my Lord KNEW those he witnessed TO would reject! Why do it this way? So that such ones could CONDEMN THEMSELVES... with their own words. The man didn't go to them - they went to him and asked him how it was that he could see... and he told them the TRUTH: that Christ had healed him. Did they REJOICE that a formerly blind man could now SEE? Nope. NO... they EXPELLED HIM from their synagogue! He told them the TRUTH... and they kicked him out for it. Why did they take offense? Because who was HE... to be telling THEM?? Were THEY not those chosen (by themselves!) to lead and teach? Now, here comes some unknown, not only with no credentials... but who had been (considered) unclean and full of "sin" (hence, his blindness)... and he's claiming to have received some kind of "special" treatment from "God." Who the HECK did he think he WAS??

My Lord KNEW that these events would play out EXACTLY as they did. Had he healed the man in front of a crowd, though, those who confronted him would have said... NOTHING. They would never have challenged an entire crowd (and there are several accounts to show this). But one man? It was a set up... to bring out what was TRULY in them from the start... in spite of their "smooth and flattering" words. My Lord KNEW what he was doing when he took the man off privately... AND that, in spite of his direction to the man to NOT tell anyone, the man WOULD tell it. Why? Because the man, although blind, was not DECEITFUL... and so when CALLED upon to tell HOW he was healed... he spoke the TRUTH. He couldn't have done otherwise.

Dear Loz, peace to you, as well, dear one... and I am sorry for the events that sickened your heart, truly. Again, like our dear LQ... I marvel at what some take offense AT. And to take it when none is intended is even more baffling. But it has been that say since Abel: Cain took offense at Abel because he (Abel) was upright... standing fast "in [the] TRUTH"... which standing was manifest in what he (Abel) SAID and DID... and is what endeared Abel to JAH and made HIS (Abel's) sacrifices ACCEPTABLE (John 1:47)... whereas Cain's offerings were unclean... because they were not offered IN TRUTH... because HE, Cain, was full of "leaven").

And I can relate to "doing an impression of being human" - LOLOL! Unfortunately, I'm not a very good actor, so I fail miserably at such. Like you dear ones, I spent years "trying" to "be" what others said I should be... and act as others said I should act. Never felt like "me," though. Felt quite embarrassing, actually. I always felt like an "openly exposed" imposter. Not genuine or authentic. Praise JAH, those says are behind me. Doesn't endear me to many, but, well... what can yo do? We SAY "be yourself,"... and then we take issue with/persecute folks for doing just that! LOLOLOL!

Oh, and yes, dear LQ (again, peace to you, luv!)... if one cannot safely speak truth, then silence is the other option (remember, when they questioned our Lord about the woman caught in the act of adultery? He COULD have said so much more... but they men were not worthy of any more words than what he gave them). If one MUST speak... or DOES speak, though, it should be with "upright" words, always. Because it is what comes OUT of a man... that "defiles" him. If what comes out is not TRUTH, then it is unclean... and it didn't originate with the Father. Couldn't have.

But I am glad to have made YOU dear ones glad today (muah, dear Tams - peace, luv!)... and am going to go off now. Gotta a date with my son and another couple/few young men (including dear 'Mom's oldest - peace, sistah!), so gotta go. I will "see" you all dear ones a bit later. Have a GREAT day... and may JAH bless, you and your entire households!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

Our Lord know HOW to talk to WHOM needed a talking.
He knew what to say to ATTRACT those that "needed" attracting and how to "repel" those in need of repelling.

There are many instances of "kind" talking in the bible.
My personal favorites are from Paul:

John:


Peter:


James:



Jude:


To show only a few...

So true.


Okay, but in my story, the man was deaf. lol

But thank you for the full story on the blind man; I liked this - "It was a setup".

The thing about the deaf man, I remember the wt saying, was that deaf people can be very sensitive, and that was the reason he was taken aside. It resonated with me because I knew a deaf couple and you really had to watch what you 'said' around them. Oh my!

Lol!
I'm sorry Loz, I missed this the first time I read your post; I hope you don't mind me laughing (now that I know our tec is alright). But I had a picture of you dragging yourself across the desert, body reduced to a dry, papery, 5-lb. remnant. That must be what it feels like when y'all engage in those lengthy back and forths that never seem to get anywhere. I hope that living water has plumped you back up. lol.