If anyone shows up who doesn’t hold to
[Christ’s] teaching, don’t invite him in and give him the run of the place.
That would just give him a platform to perpetuate his evil ways, making you his
partner. 2 John 9
— The
Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language
In the fall, at depression’s height,
who should come knocking on my door but the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their weekly,
in-home, “Bible study” offer intrigued and thrilled me, an opportunity to
receive the physical company I craved. Spiritual growth would be a nice bonus.
All I knew about the Witnesses was
that they went door-to-door spreading religion and proselytizing. Unable to
define a cult, I didn’t know they fell squarely into that category. But with
heart aching, emotions shaky, brain foggy and soul starving, I invited
them—without reservation—to return when I started disability and had more time
to devote to their visits. I excitedly anticipated those visits: time blocked
off on someone else’s schedule for the sole purpose of visiting just with me!
Surprisingly the studies forced
navigation through my infrequently opened Bible, to read passages of unfamiliar
Scripture. The women were so kind and patient; their teaching seemed so secure,
so full of knowledge and valuable truth, especially to an ignorant, weak, needy
and vulnerable casual Christian.
Yet while I entertained them and
their theology, the Lord grew ever-more present with me. Although, for the most
part, I initially neglected my Bible between their visits—my new friend and
teacher even commented one day that I was the only student she’d ever had who never took notes on what she was
teaching—the Lord worked steadfastly behind the scenes.
Thankfully, He wouldn’t allow me to
ingest their tainted spiritual food. Instead, He convicted me, pushed me to distinguish truth from
lies, to test their teaching by searching the Scriptures, (yes, to take
responsibility and put some sweat into it!), and set off my brain alarm bells,
allowing me to gain a precious measure of discernment.
Consequently all-out, spiritual
warfare started raging for my body and soul. The longer I opened my door to
these Watchtower visitors, the deeper I delved into their theology, the fiercer
the battle in my heart and mind.
But I enjoyed the developing friendships and clung to the adult
conversation and mental stimulation. They fed my needy flesh. I knew I should
end the studies, but I stood torn between truth and the satisfying companionship
I desperately craved. Parker even developed a camaraderie with one of their
boys. In stark contrast to my own congregation, they seemed sincerely concerned
about both my spiritual and physical
needs. Sadly, these women provided me what my own church neglected: attentive
fellowship and encouragement.
It was like spiritual espionage: I’d
walked willingly into a trap, an entanglement from which the Lord worked
patiently, steadfastly to extricate me.
God pressed in on me—hard—making me uncomfortable, forcing a decision.
Would it be Him…or the world?
________________________________________
NEXT WEEK: A final clash and forced decision…
_______________________________________
Until next week.
Thanks for
joining me!
Blessings,
Andrea
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