Despising a brother

[JeffSjo]

I've felt the still of leadership that despised people in order to maintain control of the group. In my former splinter group the despise and belittle reflex was just as natural to the leader as the blink or breath reflex is to most of us. And he taught his goons how to do it as he became more confident in his complete domination of the goons.

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Mt 5:21,22 (Lamsa version)

You have heard that said to those who were before you, You shall not kill, and whoever kills is guilty before the court.

But I say to you that whoever becomes angry with his brother for no reason is guilty before the court [1]; and whoever whoever should say to his brother, Raca [2](which means, I spit on you) id guilty before the congregation[3]; and whoever says to his brother, you are effeminate[4], is condemned to hellfire[5].

[1] Bullinger lists this court as the council of three in the local synagogue. This is the least amount of trouble to be in, it gets worse. Note that undeserved anger is something the Lord promises will be judged.

[2] Raca - Aramaic for a worse type of despising a brother. "I spit on you indicates" expressing active contempt. Bullinger defines it thus- a contemptuous interjection, expressing the emotion or scorn of a disdainful mind.

Both Wierwille and my former splinter group leader seemed to do this on a regular basis, I personally vouch that my splinter group leader did this regularly.

[3] Bullinger lists this as the supreme national court, the Sanhedron for the first century Jews. This represents being accountable to a higher authority than the first and consequently being in bigger trouble.

[4] Lamsa says that this is Aramaic for being abnormal or brutish. Bullinger says that in the greek it is the word moros, from which we get moron, this is not like the common usage. It is referring to a birth defect. This is extreem hatred, ie., you are hopeless, faulty, and cannot be fixed you little worm. etc.etc. In the hebrew it is the word; nabal. This is the most perjorative of all the Hebrew words for fool.

[5] hellfire, bigger trouble than any, The lord will make them pay, big-time.

(all references to what Bullinger said come from my Companion Bible)

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I had a friend tell me not too long ago that in his opinion Christianity in the U.S.A. has become nasty. I think a basic disobedience to these verses may be responsible.

Then there is the TWI habit of calling brothers "seed boys" meaning children of the devil. Now just because Jesus did this to certain folks doesn't mean that when TWI leadership did this to their bretheren that they won't be held accountable, dumb bastards.

For any of who might be willing to argue the dispensational reasons that you would discount these verses, I say, bring it on. Then we'll at least give folks a good look at whether the dispensational argument applies. If you can find any verses that directly contradict these I'll change my mind, but I think that I won't.

I don't think that despising a brother because of bad doctrine negates the harm to the mentally abused or releases the abuser from accountability before the Lord. these verses basically list abusive behavior in ascending order of the trouble that the abuser will be in.

Edited January 16, 2009 by JeffSjo

[kimberly]

Well, Jeff, honey, I am kind of having a hard time following you here. I have read and re-read but not quite sure what you are asking.

[JeffSjo]

Dear Kimberly,

Thanks for asking so plainly, it makes answering you very simple.

These verses that I've covered apply directly to anger that leads to mental abuse. I've reproved my former splinter group leader with them, and his goons too. But when it was all said and done they refused to give up how they despised not just me, but how they learned from TWI that such abuse was an acceptible method of controling anyone who did not automatically fall in line and fall at the feet of my splinter group leader.

Heck, a verse that he often quoted was the one about needing to "kiss the son, lest he gets angy at you.... etc. He thought that he had the right to treat people badly if they didn't submit to his will. And because of his effective method of leading people he showed my wife that it was o.k. to hate me for the gospel's sake.

Why, they did a good job of backing up all their actions with one scripture or another. But I believe that at it's root, my former splinter group doctrines only served to glorify the leader and bring my friends into a cruel and abusive subjegation where they weren't allowed to think for themselves. They would be abused whenever they showed any signs of challenging the twisted and cruel doctrine that this supposed shepherd fed his flock with.

Their doctrines despite how many scriptures they quoted were in reality- antiChrist.

But all that being set aside, I believe these verses as far as being commandments of the Lord should guide how we think of any brother in Christ. I think that when believers are cruel and hypercritical of a brother that the Lord will hold them accountable.

Even Paul's harshest treatment of a brother he makes very plain is only done in order to help restore them to a good place in their lives.

For any Christian leader who thinks that they can call a brother a child of the devil and beat them into submission they are decieving themselves. They think that they are beating the devil, but they only commit acts that anger God. And without chastisement I think that Biblically speaking, they cannot become forgiven themselves until they recognize that in truth, they are dumb bastards.

But with it being fairly common in human nature to despise someone with which we happen to have a serious disagreement with I know that these verses apply just as much to the forums at the greasespot for the ones who believe in Christ as they do in any other place in our lives. I hope that at the least they serve as food for thought.

I hope that I answered you questioning Kimberly. :)

(edited for grammar)

(added in editing)

P.S.

This isn't even the most challenging of HIS commandments, but is challenging for me at times, and I have sinned too.

How about loving our enemies, and not just our bretheren. Shesh, the commandment that this thread is about amounts to spiritual baby food. Lest we, "bite and devour one another."

If this is too challenging for Christian leaders, they don't stand a snowball's chance in you-know-what.

Edited January 16, 2009 by JeffSjo

[kimberly]

Sowee, to take so long to get back to you. I typed a reply last night then got involved in an e-mail. An error was returned and the post did not go through.

One sentence you posted said it all, "For any Christian leader who thinks that they can call a brother a child of the devil........"

Well, if you are my brother, and we are born of God then how can you or I be a child of the devil?

Believe me, when I say, I know your heartache and anger concerning your marriage and family and wanting to make those responsible pay for their hurtful, evil ways. Religion is the most evil force on the face of the earth. Although, mine was 20 years ago and my 3 oldest children from that twi marriage are now grown I still have pangs in my heart sometime when I think about it.

Folks that I would have given my life for, nursed their babies, had all things common with, vacationed with, etc., etc., bore false witness against me in court. They said I was in a cult (duh, them too) and that meant harm to my children. I can not begin to find the words to express how that betrayal ripped out and shredded my heart. Somehow my soon to be ex (his decision not mine) found out I went to talk to Wayne Clapp and assumed I was still in twi. TWI even sent out a message that I was posessed and to be avoided. And I wasn't even associated with them anymore.

So since you asked I am going to share this. About 9 years after the divorce (I was in my present marriage and the baby was 5 years old) I was walking down the front sidewalk grumbling under my breath about the most recent mean, nasty something my ex had done in an attempt to further torment me. The Lord said to me in an audible voice, I swear it, "Kimberly, how about spending as much time praying for this situation as you do complaining about it." I was away from the Lord for a while and had started talking to Him about life and stuff and I really wanted some serious answers and guidance. I was ready for some relief. Even if for just a little while

I was so caught up in wanting pay back for him (and others from twi) I was working against myself. Wasn't too long after that he met a girl 14 years younger than him and married. She is a fiesty whipper snapper and keeps him on his toes. She has been a wonderful step-mother and loves my children. She loves my children. And I love theirs. She and I get along great. But I know he will have to answer one day for destroying our family. And it won't be to me.

Our oldest married this past March. He was having some difficulty with his dad concerning finances and the wedding. He asked, "Mom, how do you deal with dad?" I said, "Son, I know he is my brother in Christ and we will spend eternity together and that is about as far as I go with your dad." Have I forgiven my ex for destroying our family? H-e-doublehockeysticks, no. It is not my responsibility to forgive him for a sin he committed against God. Jeff, you take care of the things of you and your son and let Father take care and mind of His business. And you do be His Business. Believe me, baby, He knows, He knows.

I know that is not the answer to your life but it was to mine. I hope you don't think my answer is flippant or that I think you are complaining. You are hurting, sweetheart, and my heart knows that grief. Gosh, right now I can literally feel what you are living! Your son is still a baby. That does make it more raw.

Start a re-focus of your thoughts and energy. I am in there with you, Jeff.

always much love

[JeffSjo]

Thank You dear Kimberly!

(added in editing)

Another thing that I've faced; and heard people share happened to them in TWI was getting called "possessed." It has been shared often that this left the one who was so abused feeling confused and/or highly discouraged.

Since when did the Lord even treat those that were REALLY POSSESSED this bad. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER.

It is just another case of TWI leadership ignorantly doing things that they will be held accountable for, dumb b______s!

Edited January 19, 2009 by JeffSjo