How do I witness to Jehovah Witnesses?

 

How do I witness to Jehovah Witnesses?

There are an estimated 8.7 Million Jehovah Witnesses around the world and there is a fairly strong representation of them in South Africa.  It is therefore very possible that at one point or another you will get a knock on your door from two of them.

 

1. What are their main teachings?

The Jehovah Witnesses mostly known for their rejection of: the Trinity, the Deity of Jesus, the Person of the Holy Spirit, and the concept of eternal punishment.  I will briefly expand on their teaching here:

 

a.They reject the Trinity's teaching

i.   Only the Father is God

Their name 'Jehovah witnesses' developed from the transliteration of the Hebrew covenant name of God into English and they recognize God (the Father) as the only Person who is God.  They therefore reject the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and accuse Christians of worshiping three gods.

ii. Jesus is a created being

They call Jesus 'the only-begotten of God', but to them He was the first being that God created, and they see Him as the archangel Michael.  According to their teaching, Jesus agreed to be born from the womb of the Virgin Mary to be a sin offering for people, but they do not recognize that He averted the eternal wrath of God.

iii.   The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is not a unique Person or God, but rather an emanating and active power of God. 

 

b.They reject eternal punishment and hell

Because they believe that the body and soul of man are inextricably linked, they teach that the punishment that Adam (and his descendants) received for sin is only physical death, not an eternal punishment.  They do not believe that there is eternal torment for the unbelievers in the afterlife. 

According to their teaching, the 144,000 in Revelation is the literal number of those who will be taken up to heaven.  All other Jehovah Witnesses will be resurrected to live here on earth.  All other people will be resurrected at the 'resurrection of the unjust' where they will receive a second chance to believe the teachings of the Jehovah Witnesses and be obedient to God in order to receive an eternal inheritance here on earth.   If they do not believe and obey it, they will be brought to nothing (Annihilation).  They thus reject any belief in an eternal hell and eternal punishment.

 

2. Biblical Christianity

The teaching of the Jehovah witnesses differs from the teaching of the Bible.  While they have their own highly inaccurate version of the Bible (New World Translation), we must weigh their teaching against the true teaching of Scripture as found in conservative Bible Translations.  The following are the correct Christian teachings as found in Scripture.

 

a.The Trinity

It is impossible to read the Bible without realizing that the God of the Bible is a Triune God.   It is clear that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are seen in Scripture as God.

            i.   God as three Persons

Scripture clearly teaches that the three Persons are not three gods, but one God existing in three Persons.  Matt. 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."   2 Cor. 13:14 "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  

 

          ii.   The Son of God is God

Jesus declares that He is the 'I am' of Exodus 3:14, which is the covenant name (Jehovah) of God in John 8:58 "Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.’”  

Jesus declares that He is equal to the Father and is therefore God himself. John 10:30 "I and the Father are one."

Jesus is defined as God in the same way as the Father. Rom. 9:5 "To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” Phil. 2:5-6 "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped."

The Son is the Creator of all things (how then can He himself then be created?) John 1:3 "All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." Col. 1:16 "For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him."

 

         iii.   The Holy Spirit is God

The Holy Spirit is seen by David, Jesus (who quotes Ps. 110) and the Hebrew writer (who quotes Ps. 95) as a communicating divine Person through whom the supernatural revelation of God comes.  2 Sam. 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me" Matt. 22:43 "He said to them, ‘How is it then that David, in the Spirit, calls him Lord, saying,’’ Heb. 3:7 "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, ‘Today, if you hear his voice.’” 

Peter calls the Holy Spirit God when he confronts Ananias in Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? You have not lied to man but to God.’”

 

        iv.   The Nicene Creed

The Nicene Creed was written in 325 AD and then already the Deity of Christ and the doctrine of the Trinity was recognized as the true doctrine of the Christian faith.

 

b.Eternal death is the destiny of the evil one

            i.   Man has an eternal soul

Man is made in the image of God. Gen. 1:26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”   

Ecclesiastes clearly teachers that man has an eternal soul that will never die. Eccl. 12:5-7 “they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

 

          ii.   God's judgment is eternal death

In Rom. 5:12-21 teaches us that God's judgment against man's sin in the garden was eternal death.  Through his disobedience, Adam brought physical, spiritual and eternal death upon himself and all his descendants. 

The Scriptures continually use the word 'eternal' to describe the nature of the punishment of sin upon man. The thought that God will annihilate all unbelievers is contrary to the teaching of Scripture. The Son of God came as a man to propitiate the 'eternal' punishment of God and instead gave 'eternal' life to everyone who believes in Him (John 3:15-18).  Jer. 20:11 "But the LORD is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonour will never be forgotten." Matt. 18:8 "And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.” 2 Thess. 1:9 "They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might" Jud. 1:6-7 "And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire." 

 

3. Share the gospel with Jehovah Witnesses

a.Focus on the Deity of Christ

While they reject the doctrine of the trinity and the Deity of the Holy Spirit, this falsehood arises from their denial of the Deity of Christ.   It is therefore essential to focus in your conversation with them on the Deity of Christ.  

The Jehovah Witnesses' 'New World Translation' removes many of the references to the Deity of Christ.  However, there are some texts, in their own translation, which attribute divinity to the Son.

 

            i.   Isaiah 9:6 in their own translation calls the promised Messiah 'Mighty God'

          ii.   While Hebrews 1 has been changed in their translation, the Father calls the Son Jehovah in Hebrews 1:8.  This is a quote from Psalm 102:26-27.

         iii.   In their translation, all references to worship of Jesus were removed.  However, in Luke 24:52 it is impossible to leave it out and that is why they translated it as 'they did obeisance to him' rather than the correct translation which is "they worshiped Him".  Since only God is worthy of worship they must mistranslate it here.

 

b.Focus on the just punishment for sin

i.   Physical death leads to eternal death for those under God's curse.  Jesus and the Apostles teaches that the deserved punishment for sin is an 'eternal punishment' (Matt. 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:9; Jud. 1:7).

ii. God is infinite and eternal and therefore every sin against Him deserves an infinite and eternal punishment.  Understanding the deserved punishment of our sin is fundamental to leading them to realize that the eternal God-man, Jesus Christ's atoning death was essential.

iii.   If there is no eternal punishment, it only makes sense that man, rather than seeking God, should desire to live for his desires and pleasures because then there are no eternal consequences for his sin.  This is the argument that Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15:32 "If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." Without eternal punishment in hell, there is nothing for the unbeliever to fear, all that will eventually happen is that he will cease to exist.

 

In summary:

The false teaching of the Jehovah Witnesses can be grouped under two main falsehoods: They reject the doctrine of the Trinity and they reject the doctrine of eternal punishment for the unrighteous.   In these two areas they are not only contrary to the entire Christian faith, but also contrary to the Bible, God's Word.  Their twisted translation is not an accurate version of the original text and their translators intentionally twisted and omitted texts to justify their false religion.  

The Jehovah Witnesses should in no way be seen as a Christian 'sect' or one of numerous 'versions' of the Christian faith.  They do not worship the true God who exists in three Persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit).  Therefore, we must strive to preach the true gospel to them and point out the falseness of their teaching.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church

Hoe getuig ek teenoor Jehova Getuies?

 

Hoe getuig ek teenoor Jehova Getuies?

Daar is na raming omtrent 8.7 Miljoen Jehova Getuies in die wêreld en daar is ‘n redelike sterk verteenwoordiging van hulle in Suid Afrika.  Dit is daarom baie moontlik dat jy op een of ander stadium ‘n klop aan jou deur sal kry van twee van hulle.

 

1. Wat is hulle hoof ootruigings?

Die Jehova Getuies geken word vir hulle verwerping van: die Drie-eenheid, die Godheid van Jesus, die Persoon van die Heilige Gees, en die konsep van ewige straf.  Ek gaan kortliks uitbrei op hulle lering hier:

 

a.Hulle verwerp die Drie-eenheid’s leer

i.   Net die Vader is God

Hulle naam ‘Jehova getuies’ het ontwikkel uit die transliterasie van God se Hebrewse verbondsnaam in Afrikaans (of Engels) en hulle erken God (die Vader) as die enigste Persoon wat God is.  Hulle verwerp daarom die Christelike leerstelling van die Drie-Eenheid en beskuldig Christene daarvan dat ons drie gode aanbid.

ii. Jesus is ‘n geskepte wese

Jesus, word deur hulle ‘die enigebore van God’ genoem, maar Hy was die eerste wese wat God geskep het, en hulle sien Hom as die aardsengel Migael.  Volgens hulle leer het Jesus ingestem om uit die skoot van die Maagd Maria gebore te word om ‘n sondeoffer vir mense te wees, maar erken nie dat Hy die ewige toorn van God afgewend het nie.

iii.   Die Heilige Gees

Die Heilige Gees is nie ‘n unieke Persoon of God nie, maar eerder ‘n voorspruitende en aktiewe mag van God. 

 

b.Hulle verwerp die ewige straf en hel

Omdat hulle glo dat die liggaam en siel van die mens onlosmaaklik aan mekaar verbind is, leer hulle dat die straf wat Adam (en sy nageslag) vir die sonde ontvang het is net fisiese dood, nie ‘n ewige straf nie.  Hulle glo nie dat daar ‘n ewige pyniging op die ongelowiges was in die lewe hierna nie.

Volgens hulle leer is die 144 000 in Openbaring die letterlike getal van die wat opgeneem sal word na die hemel.  Alle ander Jehova Getuies sal opgewek word om hier op aarde voort te leef.  Alle ander mense sal opgewek word by die ‘opwekking van die onregverdiges’ waar hulle ‘n tweede kans sal ontvang om die leer van die Jehova Getuies te glo en gehoorsaam aan God te wees om sodoene ‘n ewige erfenis hier op aarde te ontvang.  Indien hulle dit nie glo en gehoorsaam nie sal hulle tot niet (Annialisasie) gemaak word.  Hulle verwerp sodoende enige geloof in ‘n ewige hel en ewige straf.

 

2. Bybelse Christenskap

Die leer van die Jehova getuies verskil van die leer van die Bybel.  Terwyl hulle hul eie uiters onakkurate weergawe van die Bybel het (Nuwe Wêreld Vertaling), moet ons hulle leer opweeg teenoor die ware leer van die Skrif soos gevind in behoudende Bybel Vertalings.  Die volgende is die korrek Christelike leerstellings soos gevind in die Skrif.

 

a.Die Drie-eenheid

Dit is onmoontlik om die Bybel te lees sonder om tot die besef te kom dat die God van die Bybel ‘n Drie-enige God is.  Dit is duidelik dat die Vader, die Seun en die Heilige Gees in die Skrif as God gesien word.

i.   God as drie Persone

Die Bybel leer baie duidelik dat God in drie Persone bestaan wat nie drie gode is nie, maar een God wat in drie Persone bestaan: Matt. 28:19 “Gaan dan heen, maak dissipels van al die nasies, en doop hulle in die Naam van die Vader en die Seun en die Heilige Gees; en leer hulle om alles te onderhou wat Ek julle beveel het.”  2 Kor. 13:13 “Die genade van die Here Jesus Christus en die liefde van God en die gemeenskap van die Heilige Gees sy met julle almal! Amen.”  

ii. Die Seun van God is God

Jesus verklaar dat Hy die ‘Ek is’ van Eksodus 3:14 is, wat die verbondsnaam (Jehova) van God is. Joh. 8:58 “Jesus sê vir hulle: Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir julle, voordat Abraham was, is Ek.”

Jesus verklaar dat Hy gelyk aan die Vader is en daarom self God is. Joh. 10:30 “Ek en die Vader is een.”

Jesus word op dieselfde manier as God gedefinieer as wat die Vader. Rom. 9:5 “aan wie die vaders behoort en uit wie die Christus is na die vlees Hy wat oor alles is, God, lofwaardig tot in ewigheid! Amen.” Fil. 2:5-6 “Want hierdie gesindheid moet in julle wees wat ook in Christus Jesus was. Hy, wat in die gestalte van God was, het dit geen roof geag om aan God gelyk te wees nie.”

Joh. 1:3 “Alle dinge het deur Hom ontstaan, en sonder Hom het nie een ding ontstaan wat ontstaan het nie.” Kol. 1:16 “want in Hom is alle dinge geskape wat in die hemele en op die aarde is, wat sienlik en onsienlik is, trone sowel as heerskappye en owerhede en magte—alle dinge is deur Hom en tot Hom geskape.” Die Seun is die Skepper van alle dinge (hoe kan Hy dan self geskep wees?)

 

iii.   Die Heilige Gees is God

Die Heilige Gees word deur Dawid, Jesus (wat Ps. 110 aanhaal) en die Hebreër skrywer (wat Ps. 95 aanhaal) as ‘n kommunikerende goddelike Persoon gesien deur wie die bonatuurlike openbaring van God kom.  2 Sam. 23:2 “Die Gees van die HERE spreek in my.” Matt. 22:43 “Hy sê vir hulle: Hoe is dit dan dat Dawid Hom in die Gees Here noem as hy sê” Heb. 3:7 “Daarom, soos die Heilige Gees spreek: Vandag as julle sy stem hoor.”

In Handelinge 5:3-4 noem Petrus die Heilige Gees God wanneer hy Ananías konfronteer. Hand. 5:3-4 “Toe sê Petrus: Ananías, waarom het die Satan jou hart vervul om vir die Heilige Gees te lieg en van die prys van die grond agter te hou?... Jy het nie vir mense gelieg nie, maar vir God. ”

 

iv.  Die Niceense Geloofsbelydenis

Die Niceense Geloofsbelydenis is reeds in 325 n.C. geskryf en erken die Godheid van Christus en die leerstelling van die Drie-eenheid as die ware leer van die Christelike geloof

 

b.Die Ewige dood is die bestemming van die bose

i.   Die mens het ‘n ewige siel

Die mens is in die beeld van God gemaak volgens Gen. 1:26 “En God het gesê: Laat Ons mense maak na ons beeld, na ons gelykenis, en laat hulle heers oor die visse van die see en die voëls van die hemel en die vee en oor die hele aarde en oor al die diere wat op die aarde kruip.” 

Die Prediker leer duidelik dat die mens ‘n ewige siel het wat nie sal sterf nie. Pred. 12:5-7 “Ook sal hy bang wees vir ‘n hoogte, en verskriklike dinge sal op die pad wees! En die amandelboom sal in bloei staan, en die sprinkaan sal homself met moeite voortsleep, en die kapperkruid nutteloos wees; want die mens gaan na sy ewige huis, en die rouklaers sal op die straat rondgaan.  Voordat die silwerdraad verwyder word en die goue oliekruik stukkend val en die kruik by die fontein gebreek word en die wiel stukkend in die put val en die stof na die aarde terugkeer soos dit gewees het, en die gees na God terugkeer wat dit gegee het. ”

 

ii. God se oordeel is ewige dood

In Rom. 5:12-21 leer ons dat die oordeel van God teen die mens se sonde in die tuin was  ‘n ewige dood.  Deur sy ongehoorsaamheid het Adam fisiese, geestelike en ewige dood op homself en al sy afstammelinge gebring.

Die Skrif gebruik deurlopend die woord ‘ewig’ om die aard van die straf van sonde oor die mens te beskryf.  Die gedagte dat God alle ongelowiges tot niet gaan maak is teenstrydig met die leer van die Skrif.  Die Seun van God het as mens gekom om die ‘ewige’ straf van God te versoen en het in plek daarvan ‘ewige’ lewe geskenk aan elkeen wat in Hom glo (Joh. 3:15-18). Jer. 20:11 “Maar die HERE is met my soos ‘n geweldige held; daarom sal my vervolgers struikel en nie oorwin nie; hulle staan diep beskaamd, omdat hulle nie geslaag het nie, ‘n ewige smaad wat nie vergeet sal word nie.” Matt. 18:8 “En as jou hand of jou voet jou laat struikel, kap dit af en gooi dit weg van jou af; dit is vir jou beter om in die lewe in te gaan, kreupel of vermink, as om twee hande of voete te hê en in die ewige vuur gewerp te word.” 2 Thess. 1:9 “Hulle sal as straf ondergaan ‘n ewige verderf, weg van die aangesig van die Here en van die heerlikheid van sy sterkte.” Jud. 1:6-7 “En die engele wat hul eie beginsel nie bewaar het nie, maar hul eie woning verlaat het, het Hy vir die oordeel van die groot dag met ewige boeie onder die duisternis bewaar; soos Sodom en Gomorra en die stede rondom hulle, wat op dieselfde manier as hierdie mense gehoereer en agter vreemde vlees aangeloop het, as ‘n voorbeeld gestel is, terwyl hulle die straf van die ewige vuur ondergaan.” 

 

3. Deel die evangelie met Jehova Getuies

a.Fokus op die Godheid van Christus

Terwyl hulle die leer van die drie-eenheid en die Godheid van die Heilige Gees verwerp ontstaan hierdie valsheid uit hulle ontkenning van die Godheid van Christus.  Dit is daarom noodsaaklik om in jou gesprek met hulle te fokus op die Godheid van Christus. 

Die Jehova Getuies se ‘Nuwe Wêreld Vertaling’ verwyder talle van die verwysings na die Godheid van Christus.  Daar is egter enkele tekste, in hulle eie vertaling, wat goddelikheid aan die Seun toeskryf.

i.   Jesaja 9:6 in hulle eie vertaling noem die beloofde Messias ‘Magtige God’

ii. Terwyl Hebreërs 1 in hulle vertaling verander is, noem die Vader die Seun Jehova in Hebreërs 1:8.  Hierdie is ‘n aanhaling uit Psalm 102:26-27.

iii.   In hulle vertaling is alle verwysings na aanbidding van Jesus verwyder.  In Lukas 24:52 is dit egter onmoontlik om dit weg te laat en daarom het hulle dit vertaal as ‘aan hom hulde bewys’ eerder as die korrekte vertaling wat sê “hulle het Hom aanbid”. Aangesien net God waardig is van aanbidding moet hulle dit hier verkeerd vertaal.

b.Fokus op die regverdige straf vir sonde

i.   Fisiese dood lei na ewige dood vir hulle wat onder God se vloek is.  Jesus en die Apostels leer dat die verdiende straf vir sonde ‘n ‘ewige straf’ is (Matt. 25:46; 2 Thess. 1:9; Jud. 1:7).

ii. God is oneindigend en ewig en daarom verdien elke sonde teen Hom ‘n oneindigende en ewige straf.  Om die verdiende straf van ons sonde te begryp is fundamenteel om hulle te lei tot besef dat die ewige God-mens, Jesus Christus se versoeningsdood noodsaaklik was.

iii.   As daar geen ewige straf is nie is dit net sinvol dat die mens, eerder as om God te soek, moet begeer om te lewe vir sy begeertes en plesiere want daar is dan geen ewige nagevolge vir sy sonde nie.  Dit is die argument wat Paulus in 1 Korintiërs 15:32 voer “As die dode nie opgewek word nie, laat ons dan eet en drink, want more sterf ons!” Sonder ‘n ewige straf in die hel, is daar niks vir die ongelowige om te vrees nie, al wat dan uiteindelik sal gebeur is hy sal tot niet gaan.

Opsommend:

Die valse leer van die Jehova Getuies kan saamgevoeg word onder twee hoof valshede: Hulle verwerp die leer van die Drie-eenheid en hulle verwerp die leer van ewige straf vir die onregverdiges.  In hierdie twee areas is hulle nie net teenstrydig met die hele Christelike geloof nie, maar ook teenstrydig met die Bybel, God se Woord.  Hulle verdraaide vertaling is nie ‘n akkurate weergawe van die oorspronklike teks nie en hulle vertallers het opsetlik tekste verdraai en weggelaat om hulle valse godsdiens te regverdig. 

Die Jehova Getuies moet geensins gesien word as ‘n Christelike ‘sekte’ of een van talle ‘weergawes’ van die Christelike geloof nie.  Hulle aanbid nie die ware God wat in drie Persone (Vader, Seun en Heilige Gees) bestaan nie.  Daarom moet ons ons beywer om die ware evangelie aan hulle te verkondig en die valsheid van hulle leer uit te wys.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Leraar van Sunwardpark Baptistekerk

 

Grieving the death of a loved one

 

Grieving the death of a loved one 

The death of a loved one is a very painful experience.  Jesus understood what it is like to lose a loved one.  In John 11:1-4 we find the story of Jesus' grief over His beloved friend Lazarus.  Jesus was deeply moved and wept over the death of this friend.  But this story does not end in tears because Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:25).   We can take comfort in knowing that death is not the end of those who die.  Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ will receive eternal life (John 10:28).  A new home has been prepared for us where there will be no more death, tears or pain (Rev. 21:1-4).  But while we have this comfort, that our believing loved ones are with the Lord forever, we are left behind and the sadness can be overwhelming.  How should we as believers mourn the death of a loved one?

 

1. Christians may mourn

If Jesus mourned the death of His friend, it cannot be a sin, or wrong to mourn the death of your loved one.  Believers are people who mourn, but we do not mourn like unbelievers, because we have hope (1 Thess. 4:13).  If our loved one was a believer, they are with the Lord now, and they are happy where they are, this gives us comfort.  We are happy for them, and yet we miss them.   Death is an unnatural intruder that has taken someone precious from us, but death is part of God's curse on humanity as a result of sin.   Death was not part of God's perfect hope for us. 

Grieving the death of someone shows that you loved them, that they meant something to you, and that their absence has made you poorer.  We learn this from the Jews who watched Jesus weep over Lazarus who said ‘See how he loved him!’ (John 11:36).   It is not wrong for a believer to mourn, because Jesus himself mourned the death of His beloved friend.

 

2. The Lord is our source of comfort

‘But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us’ (2 Cor. 7:6).   We must find comfort and healing from God through prayer to Him.   He is 'the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction' (2 Cor. 1:3-4).  The Lord knows your pain and He loves His children, therefore run to ‘the shelter of the Most High' where you will find 'refuge' and 'fortresses’ in your sorrow (Ps. 91:1-2).  

It is also important to study the Word of God as much as possible (Rom. 15:4), because that is where you will find God's words of comfort.  You should also not neglect to go to church and listen attentively to the preaching of God's Word.   There is a great danger that you will seek comfort (or escape) from people, in food, in shops, on the internet or television, but none of these can comfort you, only the Lord can comfort the believer, come to Him.

 

3. Express your emotions

Remember that Jesus expressed his sorrow. Through tears and through words we must express our sorrow as well.   Holding back your emotions is unnatural because we are not disembodied souls.   We must not forget that God made us emotional beings and that in times of sorrow it is only right to express it. However, we must remember that our emotions are influenced by sin and there are sinful emotions and emotions can also be expressed in a sinful way.  There is a time and a place for tears and tears at the right time are a blessing from God.  Grief also differs from person to person because the Lord has given us different personalities.  The amount of tears someone sheds is therefore not a measure of his sadness or love for the person he lost.

 

4. Be prepared that sadness will overwhelm you

A storm on the sea is perhaps the best comparison of what the process of mourning can be like. Like the storm of Jonah (Jonah 2:3) or that of the Sons of Korah (Ps. 88:8) it can at times feel like we are drowning in our sorrow.  You may experience times of hopelessness and joylessness in which you may feel as if you are in a deep hole of depression.  It may feel to you that everything and everyone overwhelms you and as if the Lord himself has forgotten about you.  David writes about such an experience in Psalm 13. But in that moment of overwhelming he calls out to the Lord and he reminds himself of the goodness of the Lord towards him and this leads him to find his trust and rest in the Lord who will save him from his distress.

 

5. Take it one day at a time

The process of grieving the death of a loved one takes time.   The pain that comes with it is inevitable because we miss them.   We may get discouraged along the way because we think it will never end and that we will be sad for the rest of our lives.  But Jesus teaches us an important lesson in Matthew 6:34 ‘Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.’   But just as each day brings its own sorrow, so we will also receive sufficient grace for each day (2 Cor. 12:9).  Take each day at a time and you will find ‘God will help [you] when morning dawns’ (Ps. 46:6).  If a day is too hard for you, turn to God's Word (Ps. 119:28) for strength and call on Him in prayer because He will give you rest (Matt. 11:28-30).

 

6. Focus on your daily tasks

There is a great danger that your grief will overwhelm you to such an extent that you cannot or want to do anything.  The death of a loved one is a tremendous blow and it can take over your thoughts and time to such an extent that you actually only feel like you are just existing day by day.  However, we have to get up and move on and the sooner the better, because the longer you stay in that overwhelmed state, the harder it will be to get up from it.  The best is to get up and start doing the necessary things every day and eventually expand it until you can get back into full action (Is. 35:3).

 

7. Talk to others

It is important not to keep your hurt and sadness to yourself. Unfortunately, many will grow tired of listening and may even avoid you.  You should surround yourself with people who are willing to listen and who will direct you to the Lord who is our refuge and our strength in times of distress (Ps 46:2) and thereby encourage you.  Sometimes people don't have the words to say or advice to give, but it's always good to have someone who is willing to listen.  It is also important to surround yourself with fellow believers who can pray for you in this time of sadness.

 

In summary:

Let us not forget that the believer's sorrow will eventually lead to hope.  If we trust in the Lord and come to Him with our sorrow, He will comfort us and eventually take us to where He and also the great crowd of fellow believers who awaits us, including your loved one if they were a believer.  You will meet again in eternity.  The Lord has given us emotions so that we can express our pain through it, this is a great mercy and we should not be ashamed to cry when the time is right.  There will be times of great storms, but pray to the Lord who will help you through them.   Get up every day and face the day knowing that the Lord will strengthen you.  Don't worry about the sadness of tomorrow, the Lord will give you new strength for them.   Be grateful for those around you who encourage you, but let us not forget that it is the Lord who will carry us through.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

The Pastor of Sunward Park Baptist Church

Treur oor die dood van ‘n geliefde

 

Treur oor die dood van ‘n geliefde

Die dood van ‘n geliefde is ‘n baie pynvolle belewenis.  Jesus het verstaan wat dit is om ‘n geliefde te verloor.  In Johannes 11:1-4 vind ons die verhaal van Jesus se treuring oor Sy geliefde vriend Lasarus.  Jesus was diep geraak en het gehuil oor die dood van Sy vriend.  Maar hierdie verhaal eindig egter nie in trane nie, Jesus het Lasarus uit die dood opgewek (Joh. 11:25).  Ons kan troos vind in die wete dat die dood nie die einde is van hulle wat sterf nie.  Elkeen wat in die Here Jesus Christus glo sal ewige lewe ontvang (Joh. 10:28).  ‘n Nuwe woning is vir ons voorberei waar daar geen dood, trane of pyn meer sal wees nie (Open. 21:1-4).  Maar terwyl ons hierdie troos het, dat ons gelowige geliefdes by die Here is vir ewig, bly ons hier agter en die hartseer kan oorweldigend wees.  Hoe moet ons as gelowiges treur oor die dood van ‘n geliefde?

 

1. Christene mag treur

As Jesus getreur het oor die dood van Sy vriend kan dit nie sonde wees, of verkeerd wees om te treur oor die dood van jou geliefde nie.  Gelowiges is mense wat treur, maar ons treur nie soos ongelowiges nie, want ons het hoop (1 Thess. 4:13).  As ons geliefde ‘n gelowige was, is hulle nou by die Here, en hulle is gelukkig waar hulle is, dit bied vir ons vertroosting.  Ons is bly vir hulle onthalwe, terwyl ons hulle mis.  Dood is ‘n onnatuurlike inbreker wat by ons iemand kosbaar geneem het, maar dood is deel van God se vervloeking op die mensdom asgevolg van sonde.  Dood was nie deel van God se perfekte hoop vir ons nie. 

Om te treur oor die dood van iemand getuig dat jy vir hulle lief was, dat hulle vir jou iets beteken en dat jy nou armer is omdat hulle nie meer daar is nie.  Ons leer dit by die Jode wat toegekyk het hoe Jesus oor Lasarus huil wanneer hulle sê ‘Kyk, hoe lief Hy hom gehad het!’ (Joh. 11:36).  Dit is nie verkeerd vir ‘n gelowige om te treur nie, want Jesus het self getreur oor die dood van Sy geliefde vriend.

 

2. Die Here is ons bron van vertroosting

“Maar Hy wat die nederige troos, naamlik God, het ons getroos” (2 Kor. 7:6).  Ons moet vertroosting en genesing by God vind deur gebed.  Hy is ‘die Vader van ontferminge en die God van alle vertroosting wat ons troos in al ons verdrukkinge.’ (2 Kor. 1:3-4).  Die Here ken jou pyn en Hy is lief vir Sy kinders, hardloop daarom na die ‘skuilplek van die Allerhoogste’ waar jy ‘toevlug’ en ‘n ‘ bergvesting’ sal vind in jou hartseer (Ps. 91:1-2). 

Dit is ook baie belangrik om so veel moontlik die Woord van God te bestudeer (Rom. 15:4), want dis daar waar jy God se woorde van vertroosting sal vind.  Jy moet ook nie nalaat om kerk toe te gaan en aandagtig te luister na die prediking van God se Woord nie.  Daar is ‘n groot gevaar dat jy vertroosting (of ontsnapping) sal soek by mense, in kos, in winkels, op die internet of televisie, maar niks hiervan kan jou vertroos nie, net die Here kan die gelowige vertroos, kom na Hom.

 

3. Gee uitdrukking aan jou emosies

Onthou dat Jesus sy hartseer uitgedruk het. Deur trane en deur woorde moet ons aan ons hartseer uiting gee.  Om jou emosies in te hou is onnatuurlik want ons is nie liggaamlose siele nie.  Ons moenie vergeet dat God ons emosionele wesens gemaak het en dat in tye van hartseer net reg is om dit uit te druk nie. Ons moet egter onthou dat ons emosies wel beinvloed word deur sonde en daar is sondige emosies en emosies kan ook sondig uitgedruk word.  Daar is ‘n tyd en ‘n plek vir trane en trane op die regte tyd is ‘n seën van God.  Treuring verskil ook van persoon tot persoon want die Here het aan ons verskillende persoonlikhede gegee.  Die hoeveelheid trane wat iemand stort is daarom nie ‘n maatstaf van iemand se hartseer of liefde vir die persoon nie.

 

4. Wees voorbereid dat hartseer jou gaan oorweldig

‘n Storm op die see is miskien die beste vergelyking met hoe die proses van rou kan wees.  Soos die storm van Jona (Jona 2:3) of die van die kinders van Korag (Ps. 88:8) kan dit soms voel of ons in ons hartseer verdrink.  Jy mag tye van hopeloosheid en vreugdeloosheid beleef waarin jy so diep in ‘n gat van deppressie mag voel.  Dit mag vir jou voel of alles en almal jou oorweldig en asof die Here self van jou vergeet het.  David skryf van so belewenis in Psalm 13.  Maar in daai oomblik roep hy tot die Here en hy herinner homself aan die goedheid van die Here teenoor Hom en dit lei hom om sy vertroue en rus in die Here te vind wat hom uit sy ellende sal verlos.

 

5. Vat dit een dag op ‘n slag

Die proses van treur oor die dood van ‘n geliefde neem tyd.  Die seer wat daarmee gepaardgaan is onvermydelik omdat ons hulle mis.  Ons mag moontlik langs die pad mismoedig word omdat ons dink dit gaan nooit ophou nie, dat ons hartseer sal wees vir die res van ons lewe.  Maar Jesus leer ons ‘n belangrike les in Mattheus 6:34 ‘Kwel julle dus nie oor more nie, want more sal hom oor sy eie dinge kwel.  Elke dag het genoeg aan sy eie kwaad.’  Maar net soos elke dag sy eie hartseer bring, so sal ons ook genoeg genade vir elke dag ontvang (2 Kor. 12:9).  Neem elke dag op sy eie en jy sal vind ‘God sal [jou] help as die dag aanbreek’ (Ps. 46:6).  As ‘n dag vir jou te swaar is, keer jouself van God se Woord (Ps. 119:28) vir sterkte en roep Hom aan in gebed want Hy sal jou rus gee (Matt. 11:28-30).

 

6. Fokus op jou dagtake

Daar is ‘n groot gevaar dat jou hartseer jou so sal oorweldig dat jy niks kan of wil doen nie.  Die dood van ‘n geliefde is ‘n geweldige knou en dit mag jou gedagtes en tyd oorneem sodat jy eintlik voel dat al wat jy dag vir dag doen is net bestaan.  Ons moet egter opstaan en aangaan en hoe vinniger hoe beter, want hoe langer jy in daai magtelose toestand bly, hoe moeiliker gaan dit word om op te staan uit dit.  Die beste is om op te staan en te begin om die noodsaklike dinge elke dag te doen en uiteindelik uit te brei totdat jy weer terug in volle aktiwiteit kan kom (Jes. 35:3).

 

7. Praat met ander

Dit is belangrik om nie jou seer en hartseer vir jouself te hou nie.  Dit is ongelukkig so dat baie mense moeg sal raak om te luister en jou miskien selfs sal vermy.  Omring jouself met mense wat gewillig is om te luister en jou te rig na die Here wat ons toevlug en ons sterkte is in tye van benoudheid (Ps 46:2) en jou so bemoedig.  Mense het soms nie woorde om te sê of raad vir jou hartseer nie, maar dit is altyd goed om iemand te hê wat net sal luister.  Dis ook belangrik om jouself veral te omring met mede gelowiges wat vir jou in jou tye van hartseer kan bid.

 

Opsommend:

Laat ons nooit vergeet dat die gelowige se hartseer lei uiteindelik na hoop nie.  As ons op die Here vertrou en na Hom kom met ons hartseer sal Hy ons vertroos en uiteindelik neem na waar Hy en die leerskare van medegelowiges vir ons wag, en as jou geliefde Hom liefgehad het soos jy, sal julle mekaar weer in die ewigheid in die heerlikheid ontmoet.  Die Here het aan ons emosies gegee sodat ons daardeur uitdrukking aan ons seer kan gee, dis ‘n groot genade en ons moet nie skaam wees om te huil wanneer die tyd reg is nie.  Daar sal tye van groot storms kom, maar bid tot die Here wat jou daardeur sal help.  Staan elke dag op en pak die dag aan in die wete dat die Here jou sal sterkmaak.  Moet jou nie bekommer oor die hartseer van môre nie, die Here sal jou dan weer opnuut versterk as jy na Hom kom.  Terwyl ons dankbaar kan wees vir mense om ons wat ons bemoedig, kom ons vergeet nie dat dit die Here is wat ons sal dra.

 

ds. Leon Harmse

Leraar van Sunward Park Baptiste Kerk