Asking the Watchtower not to return?

[Rob Marsh]

Hi, I need to ask about something, to see if I've taken the right response as a Christian.

Basically, I live in an area that is, unfortunately, heavily-hammered by the Watchtower, and today, after a lengthy effort to refute errors and mistranslations with three immovable Witnesses I finally just threw up my hands and told them, "I give up. Please go back to your Temple leader and ask them to remove this house from their visitation list" (oddly, they didn't say that they would, but they mentioned that I could put up a "no trespassing" sign???!) Each time they come by, at least once a month, I try to research and prepare (James White is an excellent resource), and I try to engage them lovingly and yet sternly, but nothing seems to break them from their glassy-eyed cult grasp. EVERYTHING you say, no matter how accurately put, they have some distorted, disturbing way to respond.

So I finally gave up, shrugged, and asked them to remove our house from visitation, as this seems to have become an exercise in them cultishly trampling whatever pearls I cast. My reasoning isn't just that you can't get through to them, but also the fact that they are bringing their satanic distortions of Christ to my house and teaching them right on my porch.

Was it wrong of me to ask them not to return? That's what I'm struggling with today. I'd appreciate some guidance on this.
Thanks

 

[jwithnell]

As soon as I see who it is, I very politely give a very quick statement of what the Bible teaches about Christ then say excuse me and close the door. No time wasted, the possibility that somehow someday the truth will sink in, no reason to be a dishonor to our faith by how I'm speaking, no engagement -- this has been the best possible solution for us.

And no, your really shouldn't fret over refusing to entertain unbelief.

 

[Andres]

I think your request is reasonable.

 

[gkterry]

If I recall correctly, Calvin stated that one should not get caught up in an endless controversy. It is a waste of time that could be spent in a more useful manner.

Perhaps, you should just pray the seeds you have sown may some day bare fruit. We cannot be the agent of conversion. We are just the messengers who proclaim Christ. You have planted seeds and only through the working of the Holy Spirit can those seeds bare fruit.

 

[Alan D. Strange]

Rob:

You were under no obligation in the first place to engage the cultists. I think that II John 1:7-11 makes clear that such false teachers must never be welcomed as if they are teaching the truth; furthermore, I believe that we have no particular requirement to otherwise engage them, particularly if we perceive that we are throwing pearl before swine, which the Lord forbids (Matthew 7:6).

Peace,
Alan

 

[Reformed Roman]

I think engaging unbelievers to share the gospel is a great thing. Every unbeliever has a stone heart, even if some argue more than others. Only God can break that. Apologeticsc is great but only the gospel can open their eyes, or God through the gospel. I think it's great to give them the gospel, but once you've done that and loved them in that way, you can only give the gospel so many times. I think it is reasonable to dust off your feet and move on

 

[puritanpilgrim]

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

I love asking them if Jesus created himself. I havn't had one that could give me a good response to this verse. It's worded the same way in their corrupted version.

 

[Abeard]

I recently tried to converse with a few JW's and realized that no matter how many bible passages I bring to them they would have a response. I ended up just warning them of the implications of their belief that Jesus is not God. I told them if they believe He is not God then they are not forgiven and not righteous in the sight of God.

 

[Rob Marsh]

Thanks for the responses everyone. We live in out in the country, and have a hefty 45 minute drive to get to our church, and on the way we pass about a dozen churches, mostly pentacostal, but we also pass a Watchtower "kingdom hall" and it breaks my heart to see the parking lot packed almost contantly with cars (generally with very nice, expensive vehicles, too). I say a silent prayer every time that Christ will open their eyes to the false doctrine that holds them fast.

 

[Jack K]

I agree that it's okay for you to say you've had enough. You shouldn't feel guilty for moving on once unbelievers of any sort have indicated they have no interest in the gospel despite your patient attempts to share with them. Moving on is actually a good kingdom-building strategy.

I'm less convinced that you can get taken off their "list," since I suspect they may not actually be organized enough to have such a list. Perhaps they tend to honor no trespassing signs but otherwise have no mechanism for keeping their fellow witnessers away from your house.