When They Come Knocking
In my many years as a Christian, I have had several
encounters with JWs at my door. Understand and know that Satan is very
intelligent and wise and knows exactly when to have them interrupt your day. It’s
mostly when you don’t expect them or when you’re having a bad day or following
a spiritual high. Whatever the situation, you are never expecting them and if
you are, they don’t come. I don’t think I have ever heard a Christian tell me
they waited anxiously by their door on Saturday morning waiting for the JWs to
come knocking. Actually, I’ve never heard anyone say that Christian or not.
But when they do come, you don’t have to be an expert
on their doctrines and beliefs. What you need to know is what the Bible says.
Studying the Bible and knowing its truth is the best weapon you can have
against any cult or false doctrine. So, if you know your Bible, all you need to
do is listen to their rhetoric and the false beliefs will be glaring. When they
tell you that Jesus was just a man and not God or a different God, you will know
that is a lie and not what the Bible teaches. (I don’t mean you have to listen
to them go on and on) Always keep in mind that these people have bought into a
lie and some of them for twenty or thirty years. They actually believe they
have the truth. And that lie is leading them straight to hell and eternal
suffering.
Don’t argue with them; that gains nothing, and you
can’t argue anyone into heaven. I used to love debating with them and getting
the “upper hand” so to speak. But in my aging years and ongoing maturity in my
faith, I now have a sense of compassion for them while knowing they are doomed
for hell if they don’t know and accept the truth. Just last week, on Saturday
morning, two JW women came knocking at my door. One is always the primary
speaker and more than likely a mentor of sorts to their partner. That seems to
be the way they work. When I went out to greet them, I, at first, thought they
were from a local church, so I told them I was a Christian and had been in
ministry for years.
The primary seemed to like that or accepted it as a
challenge but that was not my intent. When I asked what church they were from,
she told me, “The Jehovah’s Witness.” Yes, it caught me off guard since I was
expecting to have a brief conversation with two Christian women involved in a
cold door knocking ministry. So, I quickly gathered myself and the woman began
to tell me that they were at my door to tell me about the kingdom of God. She
rattled on with some other nonsense and I informed them that I already have the
kingdom of God within me. It was as if I had swooshed them back a step. They
were almost leaning back in surprise at what I had said. Then I began to feel
the compassion kicking in and I had to tell them the truth. They needed to know who
Jesus really is.
The primary went to John 1:1 and I waited until she
got to ‘the word was a god’ and I stopped her. I informed her that the
interpretation of their New World Translation was incorrect. I explained that
the original Greek which that was written in does not include the word, or
article, a, because it does not exist in the Greek language. I also informed
her that Col. 1:15-16 are translated incorrectly in their Bible. Where it says
that Christ is the creator of all things, the word other is inserted and it is
not in the original Greek manuscript. Again, they were a little stunned and
then immediately said, “Well, we want to talk about the kingdom of God.” That’s
when I informed them that I already have the kingdom of God within me. But
before I could explain what I meant by that, and as they usually do when you
have given them information they can’t respond to, they made their excuses for why
they had to rush off and left. I wanted to spend more time explaining who Jesus
really is, what He has done for us and how to be saved. But that’s not part of
their training and indoctrination.
Let them talk when they first approach you. If you
have told them you are a Christian, then set the ground rules. Tell them you
will listen to them if they will listen to you. Now, sometimes that works and
sometimes it doesn’t. Most times when you began to counter their lies with the
truth, they have not been trained on this or how to respond. So, they make an
excuse for why they have to go and then leave. That’s one approach but I simply
allow them to talk and when they get to the heart of the lie, I stop them. For
example, if they insist that Jesus is not God, as one told me last week, and it
doesn’t say it in the Bible, stop them. At that point a simple, “Yes, the Bible
does say that. Jesus said the Father and I are one.” But they might try to say
He simply meant they are one as father and son are one of a kind or some other
nonsense. They can’t prove that lie.
But remember, don’t get into an argument with them.
Just explain what the Bible really does say. And remember they have been fed
those lies for years. Don’t expect them to drop their New World Translation and
start doing cartwheels in your front yard and praising the one true God. I’m
not saying God can’t do that, but it would be an extreme rarity.
Over the years I have heard stories about how they
have had hot water thrown on them, dogs sicked on them and even threatened with
violence if they didn’t leave. I always wanted them to know I was never going
to do anything like that. But I always let them know I am a Christian and in no
way would ever buy into their cultish teachings. After that, it was up to them
if they wanted to talk. Just listen closely and the lies will begin to stand
out loud and clear, if you know your Bible. If you don’t want to talk with
them, just politely let them know you can’t hear them out at that time and then
include them in your prayers. Remember, they are headed for hell if they are
not saved. These unsaved people are coming to your door and it’s a golden
opportunity to tell them the truth about Jesus and the free gift of salvation.
You don’t even have to leave your home to tell these people about the gospel.
Just remember, they might show up when you least
expect it. You might be working on a project, preparing to go somewhere or just
going through a normal routine on a Saturday morning. (It’s not always on a
Saturday) Try not to be rude or offensive. And don’t think you have a superior knowledge
over them. Simply allow the Holy Spirit to lead the conversation. And remember
what a golden opportunity it is to be able to have them at your front door so
you can tell them about the real Jesus. Two men caught me in my garage on a
Saturday morning when I was only months into my Christianity. I wasn’t
expecting them and wasn’t totally prepared. Before I knew it, an hour and a
half had passed by, and the Holy Spirit had continued to give the words I needed
to fend off the lies and false teachings they were throwing at me.
Again, the best way to be prepared or ready is by
reading and studying the Bible. When you know that, you will always be
prepared. As Paul told Timothy in 2 Tim 2:15-16.
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval.
Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly
explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to
more godless behavior.
And what Peter says in 1 Pet 3:15-16,
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your
life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to
explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.
Don’t look
at them as if they are a bother or just interrupting your day. These are people
who must hear the truth about Jesus. They are destined for eternal suffering if
they are not saved. It is no different than an unsaved family member or friend. You don't know that God might have sent them to you to hear the gospel message and the truth. And they are coming to you to hear the gospel but just like you were not
expecting them, they are not expecting to hear the truth. Tell them and plant
some seeds and pray for them.
-Bill Petite
posted by Bill @ 7:32 AM
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