821.htm

821.

(Addressed to JW congregations with women having unbelieving husbands).

ARE YOU STILL LIKE SHEEP GOING ASTRAY?
(1 Peter 2:25 & 3:1-6).

HOLY WOMEN.
A most important teaching to be gleaned from the Word of God concerning Abraham's wife Sarah, and of benefit to women today, is that she was blessed by Jehovah God. (Gen 17:16). But what kind of women were those referred to as "holy women"? They had deep respect for their husbands, remained subject to them, and their adornment was a "quiet and mild spirit". But while 1 Peter 3:1-6 is addressed to Sarah's 'daughters' as the example for all women to follow, this does not include such bad examples as those from JW women falsely claiming to be holy.

JW WOMEN LIKE TO DISCIPLINE GOD'S GLORY. (1 Cor 11:8,9).
Is it because JW women find the disciplines of Jehovah and His directions for them with reference to their husbands too difficult to accept? Some claim their husbands will not accept their responsibilities, or that they behave badly towards them. Others say some women provoke bad behaviour from their husbands. Nevertheless, the Creator of man knows how unbelieving husbands are won over to Him. The Christ conveyed through the apostle Peter how this should be done: "In like manner, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the Word (of our Lord Jesus), they may be won without a word (not by teaching God's Word) through the conduct of their wives", "because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect." (1 Peter 3:1,2). Spiritually qualified men are provided by God to teach His Word.

When a woman teaches from God's Word, in the presence of men, she is exercising authority over them. This is not "chaste conduct", because such authority is given only to men. A woman calling her husband "lord" in her heart would not seek to teach him. Women permitted to teach are not inciting to "love and fine works". (Heb 10:24). When servants of God are gathered to be taught the love of God and His disciplines for life and their sanctification, the God-given authority to teach from the Word of God is assigned only to chosen men. (Titus 1:1 & 2:15. 1 Tim 2:11-15). But JW women teach the Word of God equally with men! So in what way are they calling their husbands "lord" in their hearts? Our Lord God does not bless such spirit rebellion.

WHAT DO THE FACTS SHOW?
How can female members of the sect of JWs be blessed by Jehovah when so many of them deject the hearts of righteous ones with falsehood, as has personally been experienced by an anointed son of God? (Ezek 13:20-23). These are not the examples of "holy women". (1 Peter 3:5,6).

Today, the number of women attending congregations of JWs without their husbands is disproportionately high. Many believe they will win over their unbelieving husbands to the truth of our Lord that they may become practicing Christians. But while adopting various superficial means, they often do little within themselves toward that end. They may invite their husbands to attend meetings or associate with families they believe lead Christian lives. They may even invite 'brothers' to their homes in the hope that one will suit him. But depending on these means alone merely reveals that the "stumbling-block" is the spirit rebellion of his wife. (Rev 2:20-23).

There are women who have never visited a JW kingdom hall but have a deep respect for their husbands, who are chaste and good workers at home with a "quiet and mild spirit". Like Sarah, they may not have received the teachings of The Christ and his apostles or the laws given through Moses. However, such women advance ahead of JW women due to their "quiet and mild spirit" of subjection, which is of great value in the eyes of our God. (1 Peter 3:4). Until you women return "in like manner" to the "shepherd and overseer of your souls" Christ Jesus, and discontinue your defiance of the headship arrangement, you are like sheep, but going astray. (1 Peter 2:25).

19/8/77.