Theocratic Aid To Kingdom Publishers

Lesson 48

THEOCRATIC TACTFULNESS

Wise counsel on tactfulness was rendered by Jesus before sending out his twelve apostles. He said: "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matt. 10:16) Theocratic tactfulness does not mean that the witness is going to deceive the listener or compromise the Lord's cause, but rather that he will be wise in his approach to avoid unnecessary opposition or prejudice. Tact is knowing what to say, how to say it, and when to say it. It is a sensitive mental perception; or an acute, keen discernment of the best course of action to take under given conditions; or the peculiar ability to deal with others without

giving offense. Note the following illustrations that show the tact used by God's witnesses centuries ago.

First, an instance of sensitive mental perception. The clergy of Jesus' day sought to entrap him. They sent spies to ask catch questions: "Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?" Jesus perceived their craftiness, asked to see a penny, noted Caesar's image and superscription thereon, and said: 'Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's.' Because of Jesus' keen mental perception the evil designs of the enemy were foiled. (Luke 20:19-26) Note that Jesus did not say much to these men. To be tactful before the wicked, then, is to spare words. —Ps. 39:1.

Second, an instance of tact in discerning the best course to pursue under given circumstances. Read 2 Samuel 11 and 12. David had taken another man's wife for his own pleasure. Then, to cover his misdeed, he caused the man's death. Nathan, the Lord's prophet, must show David his sin. How? He could not bluntly state the facts without bringing forth the king's wrath. Yet he must show the king his wrong. He did this by the tactful use of an illustration.

Third, an instance of showing tact in dealing with others without giving offense, and to win good-will in difficult situations. Read 1 Corinthians 9:18-23 and note the tact of the apostle Paul in this respect.

Now to examine various occasions wherein modern ministers of The Theocracy should exercise Theocratic tactfulness. In house-to-house preaching some publishers start off on the wrong foot, so to speak. They abruptly tell the people that they are heading for destruction, that their church is run by the Devil, and that they are fighting against God. Naturally such an approach fails to bring a kindly response or a hearing ear. A tactful publisher introduces himself as a minister of the gospel sharing in a nationwide Bible educational service to aid lovers of righteousness. Such a publisher has a sensitive mental perception to

realize that most persons are primarily interested in their own welfare, in their own security, and in their own family. In his further witness the publisher then proceeds to show what God's new world will mean to them. In this manner a listening ear is obtained.

Avoid controversial issues such as the flag-salute issue, etc. If a party being witnessed to raises the questions, then kindly explain; otherwise leave them unmentioned. Do not arouse unnecessary animosity or stumbling blocks. Stick to the business of preaching the good news on the Kingdom; confine the witness at the doors to that one objective.

As a further example, when first speaking to natural Jews avoid the tactless subject of the Messiah or Christ. A premature raising of this subject closes their minds immediately and hinders their receiving an appealing witness to the Kingdom. Refer to the precious Scriptural promises contained in the Hebrew Scriptures, such as the wonderful prophecy of Isaiah 65 concerning the establishment of the new heavens and the new earth.

The tactful approach to those of the Catholic faith is to avoid differences at the outset. Do not even intimate that many Catholics are ignorant of the Bible, but tactfully assume that they do possess some knowledge of God's purposes, and that they, like all Christians, pray "Thy kingdom come". Here at once is common ground to present what the Kingdom will mean to them and that now is the time to learn more about it. Also show them how the Society's publications freely quote from the Catholic Douay Version and in some instances its renderings are preferable to Protestant versions, as, for instance, Luke 2: 14. If they raise the matter of "purgatory" then kindly reply that, no doubt, in their reading of their Catholic Bible they have often wondered why the word "purgatory" is not found once therein. Inform them that their book The Faith of Our Fathers, by Cardinal Gibbons, clearly shows that this teaching was introduced by the church fathers and not by Jesus or his disciples. Further, that the Catholic Encyclo-

pedia itself states that the doctrine of "purgatory" is based on tradition rather than on God's Word.

Likewise tactful approaches can also be worked out for the many different Protestant religious adherents as well as for that great body of non-churchgoers whose listening ears can easily be obtained by remarks as to the obvious failure of religion and churches in general.

Jehovah's Theocratic ministers are always courteous and polite in their dealing with all persons, whether of the public or government officials and officers of the law. As on other occasions, they must weigh their words, not to leave the impression that they are trying to hide something, but that they are certain of the facts and have the clear evidence. At all times be honest, frank, clear and helpful. Never be abashed in the presence of mere man, yet always be kind. To consecrated servants of the Lord the use of Theocratic tactfulness bears much fruit, whether they are dealing with their own brethren or with the public to whom they are preaching. Never do they blurt out all they know; they tell what is necessary and save the rest for another occasion. Jesus said, even to his disciples: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now." —John 16:12.