xjwsforChrist

AGUEST SAID



Ahhh, yes, I know what you mean, dear MS (the greatest of love and peace to you, dear one!). Perhaps the statement, "Be wrathful... and yet do not sin (i.e., slap? judge?)" will help?

It might also help to remember that people do what they know... and [think] others expect, dear one. If they're not against you, though... then perhaps remembering that neither they (the prayers) or those they are speaking to/showing off for... belong to us? To their own master (who COULD be our Lord, right?), then... they will stand or fall.

Allowing ourselves to have pity (in a good way - and yes, one can have such in a good way), then, rather than be consumed by "righteous indignation"... can help us avoid hypocrisy, right? I mean, I am sure that, as JWs, there were those on whose nerves WE grated... in one way or another, so... If we judge these for their blindness, don't we risk having our own [previous if not future] sins judged "against" us?

Perhaps the better course, then, is to try and reason with them, if we can, and if that doesn't work (or we are not able), to leave them to JAH... but along with our prayers for their eyes to be opened?

Just some thoughts, dear one...

Again, peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

SA

JUSTMOM SAID




Dear Morgan I was so laughing at your post. I understand. It seems a little presumpteous a times, along with annoying when they are loud. I had this experience just last weekend. And was reminded of a couple things from our lord and master. A guest mentioned one of them. "He asked, are they against what your saying?" I said "NO!" And remember when you were a JW you NEVER allowed ANYONE else to say a prayer for you so "what do you expect in return from people that are used to openly agreeing and saying amen to something they hear?" (at least they were allowing us to say the prayer)
So your right. We ultimately cannot judge. It is not to us that the Amen is directed so we let Jah receive the glory in it.

Thanks for sharing (and venting)
Love justmom

TEC SAID

I also giggled a bit, because I could hear the voice and incantations of the preacher and the amens, and Praise God, and such.

My first thought was the same... he who is not against you is for you. Some people might need that flair and drama, and so are drawn to it. So perhaps you aren't sent to those ones, specifically. (which is not the same as saying that none among those ones will not hear; because the drama and the flair might be all that they have been exposed to and so they cannot see another way)

Peace,
tammy

AGUEST SAID

Isn't it wonderful, my dear sisters (the greatest of love and peace to you, both!) after having associated with the WTBTS... to now learn a more peaceable... and surpassing... "way"? I am OVERJOYED at the BURDEN that has been lifted from me, that of even having to "worry" about others in such a way!

Golly, I remember how I used to feel when some non-JW said a prayer at all, or uttered something like "Hallelujah!" Talk about trembling inside ("Oh, surely 'Jehovah' will smite me if I even THINK of not having an issue with that!!") LOLOLOL!

NOW, while I can't always say "Amen" (or even bow my head, etc., sometimes (like during the Memorial prayer - uh-uh, not only because the event itself flies in the face of the purpose of our dear Lord's sacrifice and who it was meant FOR: ALL - but 'cause I KNOW what goes on in the hearts of some of those 'wolves'!!)... I don't tremble at all or even become concerned. I simply say "Amen!" when I can... and just consider it the same as when the Pharisee "prayed to himself", when I can't. Because while that man was not pronounced "righteous" as was the tax collector, he (1) was STILL Israel, and (2) wasn't struck by lighting from heaven as a result, either - LOLOL!

Ahhh, the TRUE FREEDOM of the Sons of God... through Christ, our Leader, Teacher, and Guide! To LOVE... whomever; indeed, everyone... even an "enemy"!

Peace, my dear sisters!

YSSFS of Christ,

SA