Arnold's Blog: Help For Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses

It is unusual for someone to leave the Watchtower cult without emotional wounds, a sense of disorientation, and bad memories, and an ex-JW may struggle with these and other issues. It can help an ex-JW to read books of testimonies written by ex-JWs. I recommend “Crisis of Conscience” by Raymond Franz, “Jehovah’s Witnesses – Victims of Deception” by Ralph T. Miller, and “Thirty Years A Watchtower Slave” by William J. Schnell, and it is also a good idea for an ex-JW to read the books “1984” and “Animal Farm” by George Orwell or watch the movies to help him recognize methods of mind control that were used on him. I also recommend M. Night Shyamalan’s movie “The Village;” it may not have been meant to be, but “The Village” is a good allegory of the Watchtower Organization. It may help an ex-JW to associate with other ex-JWs or even join an ex-JW support group, though there is need for caution: some ex-JWs and some ex-JW support groups turn to atheism or paganism or biblical criticism, and some cling to favourite Watchtower heresies.

Even though Watchtower teachings were rejected the former Watchtower indoctrination has left thought patterns, wrong ideas and twisted reasoning, and an ex-JW may struggle with unsettled questions, doubts, and fears. Some are ready to repent and believe in Jesus Christ sooner than others, but don’t be expecting to lead anyone to salvation overnight. Some are rehabilitated virtually overnight and come to a good basic knowledge and understanding of the Scriptures very rapidly after receiving Christ (these are usually avid readers and diligent Bible students) while others require more time and help; each case is different. Christians who want to help ex-JWs need to keep all this in mind, be extremely patient, and expect the ex-JW to have questions and concerns, and recognize that even if they appear insignificant, he needs solid answers or explanations.

Regular personal Bible study is important for everyone. (Psalm 119:130; Proverbs 2:3-6; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 1 Peter 2:2) Some insist that the unsaved should not be encouraged to read and study the Bible, but this is wrong. Bible reading and study benefits both unbelievers and believers and applying Bible teachings is beneficial for anyone. The important difference is that for an unbeliever the word of God is convicting and for the believer the word of God is cleansing.

Reading through the Bible is not as major an undertaking as it may initially appear. For example, if you read four chapters of the Bible every day or read three chapters of the Old Testament and one chapter or more of the New Testament every day, you would read the whole Bible within a year. I also recommend that you read one chapter from the Book of Psalms and one chapter from the Book of Proverbs every day for at least a year; both books teach wisdom, Psalms will help with prayer and worship, and Proverbs teaches reasons that God’s standards are right. Reading through the Bible will help you make a habit of looking at individual Bible passages in relation to context and the whole Bible. Also, the King James Version on CD or Audio Bible is a good investment. Pray for understanding and as you read (or listen) apply questions like these to each chapter: What did this account or passage convey to the first readers? What does this tell us about God and His truths and standards? What lessons can we learn from this that apply to us today? You won’t always be able to answer each question, but they will make the Bible more interesting.

While Bible reading is a form of Bible study it is also important to study the Bible topically. A simple program of topical Bible study is to pray for guidance and use a Reference Bible (e.g., Thompson Chain Reference Bible, KJV), a Topical Bible (e.g., The New Topical Textbook, by R. A. Torrey), a Bible Concordance that gives the meanings of words in the Hebrew and Greek texts (e.g., Strong’s Concordance), a Bible Dictionary, an Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, etc. (I also recommend the book “The King James Bible Companion” by David W. Daniels.) Avoid focusing on just a few pet topics while neglecting other topics as this can lead to being cranky or argumentative, and even a nuisance, about your favourite subjects while knowing nothing about other subjects that are equally important.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when studying the Bible: Consider the relation of Bible passages to immediate context, setting, and the whole Bible. Compare Scripture with Scripture; difficult passages should be understood or interpreted in relation to clear passages. Consider the meaning and usage of words and grammar. Consider the use of symbols, imagery, idioms, and metaphors in vogue when the book was written.

Along with regular Bible reading and study, making a habit of applying these questions to specific beliefs, teachings, and issues will help you discern between truth and falsehood, and help you distinguish between moral or doctrinal absolutes and conscientious differences of opinion:

· Have you studied to learn what does the Bible says about this, and what would be your response if an unbeliever asked why you believe this? (Proverbs 2:6; 3:5-7; Matthew 15:3, 8-9; 22:29; 2 Timothy 2:14-15; 3:16-17)

· How important is this in relation to other matters and what Bible truths and principles or standards apply? (Matthew 23:24; Romans 14; 1 Timothy 1:5-7)

· Was this true in the distant past and will this still be true in the distant future? (Psalm 33:11; 119:89; Proverbs 19:21; Ecclesiastes 1:9-10; James 1:17)

· Can this be verified with Scripture, or is this a popular theory or what someone thinks the Bible ought to say? (Psalm 33:10; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 2:5; Colossians 1:9; 2:8)

· Have you considered the relationship of Bible proof texts to immediate context and the whole Bible? (2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Peter 3:16)

It is important to regularly attend a Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching church, and associate with Bible-believing Christians. (Psalm 119:63; Proverbs 13:20; Ephesians 4:11-16; Hebrews 10:24-25)

The most important thing: You need a personal experience with Jesus Christ. Salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and is through the finished work of Calvary, not the shed blood of Jesus Christ and additional supplements. (John 3:13-16; Acts 2:21; 10:43; Romans 4:5; 5:1-2,8-11; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5-6; Hebrews 5:9; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 5:20) The Gospel preached by Christ, the Apostles, and Bible-believing Christians throughout Christian history is the death, burial, and literal resurrection of Christ through which sinners are justified (declared righteous) through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ when they repent. (John 3:13-15; Acts 4:15-19; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) Saving faith is repentant faith. Faith and repentance (NOT personal reformation) can be described as the two sides of the same coin, as they are inseparable; repentance is the turning from sin to God, and faith is the turning to Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) for salvation. (Acts 20:21) Repentance is part of saving faith; it is the effective agent for forgiveness and remission of sins. (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 13:3; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30-31; consider Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 55:6-7; 57:15; 66:2) Is believing in Jesus Christ sufficient for salvation or must we combine faith and good works to qualify for salvation? Note that the New Testament says that salvation is by faith alone without works almost two hundred times. (Consider John 3:15; 5:24; 11:25; 12:46; 20:31; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 3:20; 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; etc..; also, compare Acts 16:31 with Acts 16:34 and note that believing in Jesus and believing in God are presented as identical acts) "Exercising faith" by doing good works is not what saves. Good works follow salvation but are not the cause of salvation. While genuine faith produces good works, it is faith alone that brings salvation and not good works. (John 3:16, 18; Romans 1:16-17; 4:5; I Corinthians 3:13-15; II Thessalonians 1:8-10; Titus 1:16; I Peter 1:3-10; James 2:14-16; consider Isaiah 64:6)

The Watchtower Society convinces JWs that all religious groups other than their own are satanic, and that the religious activities and experiences of other groups involve demons. It is possible that an ex-JW may be reluctant or hesitant about salvation because of a fear of demons or fear that this will invite demon possession because the former Watchtower indoctrination left him with this fear. If this is making you hesitate you should consider: “Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:9-11) “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:19-20)

After the new birth it is important to share your faith. “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” (Proverbs 11:30) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

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