Human Imperfection, Teboho Kibe [read a book .txt] 📗

guilt and of being unworthy of Jehovah’s mercy. For these reasons it is not only helpful but often advisable to seek the aid and encouragement of a Christian elder. When a girl has the problem she may want to approach either an elder or a mature, respected Christian sister for help.—Titus 2:2-4.

Another motivating force to help one to break the habit may be the desire to be of greater service in the Christian congregation. If a man is “reaching out” for such privilege he should note that one of the requirements for Christian eldership is ‘self-control.’ (1 Tim. 3:1; Titus 1:8) If a man regularly and habitually masturbates, could he measure up to such standards? True, one who already occupies such position may have a temporary bout with the problem and, if he fights it and gains the victory, he need not feel disqualified. But the habitual practicer of masturbation, lacking self-control, is in danger of succumbing to still more serious wrongs. He is hardly in position to serve as ‘an example to the flock.’ (1 Pet. 5:2, 3) Desire to be of loving service to God and one’s brother, then, can also aid one to free oneself from the practice of self-abuse.

So my dear friend, as you can see, I tried to cover as many topics as possible that affect all imperfect persons and have tried to come with meaningful solutions. I know that there are many topics out there that I cannot fit in right now, but requires more time and space. But I’ve tried to cover as many topics as possible, especially those that were close to my heart, not saying that others are not that important. However, I do understand that you also have many questions to ask me. You see friends, I did not only content myself by raising questions, but I also tried to find an amicable answer to suit your moral needs. So, trying to identify in detail what human imperfection exactly entails is one thing, and trying to address the problems associated with it is another. So the source or root needs to be identified and clarified and the symptoms or consequences treated.

But so far I think you must be the happiest person ever in finding such a wealth of rich information, aren’t you friend? Oh yes, I see you nodding your head in agreement! Thank you my friend for feeling this way, I also feel happy to give or share such information with you. Shoo! It hasn’t been easy gathering all this information just for you, as I had to edit, modify, cut, paste, mix and try to make it ‘perfect,’ just for you. I know the word ‘perfect’ excites great interest in you. Writing or preparing this book is interesting in all corners. For every word I say, it triggers something else. How nice! I just told myself that writing this book will end when I see the pit, if not, it will continue until I attain to full real perfection in Christ millennial reign, and then it’s topic will be null and void cause we would all have attained to real relative perfection and thereby no-longer needing to analyse human imperfection and it’s consequences as we do presently. Ah! I can’t wait for that blissful time. This book will be thrown away just like how a person who would have recovered eyesight will throw away correcting glasses. Let thy kingdom come, yes let it come, Andronicus has reiterated!

Right friend, now is your time to take a breather, go outside, take a stroll, drink some water, stretch your arms and fingers and don’t let the weight of this book to contract your muscles. Take a gasp and spend a little time with those in the house now, so that you can regain mental powers and come back more energetic. I’ll welcome you gladly when you’ve returned. Okay, thank you for obeying such simple rules.

Right friend, after a short interval and some aspirin if you took some, now let’s brace our minds for yet further adventure. What can you tell me, or is it me again who should initiate some on-going topic? Ah friend, I know that by the time you took a break you thought of some interesting avenue of exploration, now it’s just that you can’t whisper it to me. Okay fine, that’s not a problem, let’s your lovely author do something about this. Okay, let me assume that you were thinking of the cyber-world, that how does human imperfection relate to it since you make no physical contact with such persons yet some stimuli generated may be real, whether for good of for bad. Well, to some extent this can make perfect sense as we can also somehow refer or relate to God as being in a ‘greater cyber world’ now that he is real and yet able to interact with mankind in his invisible state or that which is not tangible.

Ok, what exactly do you want to know about this ‘world’ friend? Do you want to know whether is it proper or improper to use the internet or do you want to know how expansive or damaging human imperfection is in this field of interaction? Ok, let’s see what we can find out for you or deduce in your case. Okay friend I found your piece of info remedy. Now read more carefully friend.

The invention of printing, centuries ago, changed the way in which people communicate with one another. The invention of the Internet in modern times has been compared to that. This practical tool has been called a global tool of communication, and rightly so. As you travel down the “information superhighway,” you can pick up facts, statistics, and opinions on a wide variety of subjects.

The ability to communicate is a wonderful gift from our Creator. It enables us to exchange ideas and share information with others. Jehovah was the first to communicate with his human family, providing clear, unambiguous information on how to lead a meaningful life. (Gen. 1:28-30) As made evident by what happened early in human history, however, the gift of communication can be misused. Satan gave utterly false information to Eve. She accepted what he said and passed it on to Adam, who led humankind into a course of calamity.—Gen. 3:1-6; Rom. 5:12.

What can be said about using the Internet? While the Internet can provide valuable information, save us time, and serve a useful function, it can also misinform us, consume an inordinate amount of our time, and corrupt us morally. Let us consider how we can use this global tool to our benefit.

Information—Reliable or False?

Never assume that all information found on the Internet is good and beneficial. Internet search engines might be compared to a legion of mushroom pickers who tirelessly collect all types of mushrooms—edible as well as poisonous—throwing them into a single container and dishing them out for us to eat. Would you start eating these mushrooms without carefully examining each one? Of course not! Internet search engines use a huge number of computers to harvest or select from billions of Web pages containing everything from the very best to the very worst. We need discernment to separate the wheat from the chaff, as it were, lest we poison our minds with misinformation.

In 1993 a well-known magazine had a cartoon showing two dogs in front of a computer. One dog explains to the other: “On the Internet, nobody knows you’re a dog.” Long ago, Satan hid behind a serpent to start a “chat” with Eve and told her that she could be like God. Today, anyone with an Internet connection can become a desktop professor, pretending to be in the know, without even revealing his name. And there are no rules on who can publish ideas, information, images, and suggestions.

Do not become an “Internet Eve.” Be critical and suspicious of the information. Before trusting it, ask: (1) Who published this material? What are the author’s credentials? (2) Why was this published? What motivated the writer? Is there any bias? (3) Where did the author get the information? Does he supply sources that can be checked? (4) Is the information current? In the first century, the apostle Paul gave Timothy advice that applies with equal force today. Paul wrote: “Guard what is laid up in trust with you, turning away from the empty speeches that violate what is holy and from the contradictions of the falsely called ‘knowledge.’”—1 Tim. 6:20.

Saves Time or Takes Time?

If used wisely, the Internet can undoubtedly save us time, energy, and funds. We can conveniently buy something without leaving home. Comparing prices may help us save money. Online banking has made the life of many people easier; financial matters can be handled at any time in the comfort of our home. The Internet provides essential tools to work out a convenient and economical itinerary for a trip we may be planning and helps us make the necessary bookings. With a little effort, we can look up phone numbers, addresses, and various ways to get to our intended destination. Worldwide, branch offices of Jehovah’s Witnesses use many of these services to save time, personnel, and funds.

There is, however, a dark side to be considered. It concerns the amount of time that using the Internet may consume. For some, the Internet has become a fascinating toy instead of a helpful tool. They spend excessive amounts of time playing, shopping, chatting, e-mailing, searching, and surfing. Eventually, they may start to neglect the more important things involving family, friends, and congregation. The Internet can even become addictive. For example, an estimate published in 2010 indicated that 18.4 percent of Korean adolescents were affected by Internet addiction. German researchers stated that “more and more women are complaining about the addiction [of] their partners.” One woman complained that dependence on the Internet has changed her husband dramatically to the point that it has destroyed their marriage.

A branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses received a letter from an individual who called himself an Internet junkie. He sometimes spent up to ten hours a day on the Internet. After remarking that “at first, it all seemed so innocent,” he added: “In time, my meeting attendance dwindled and I stopped praying.” When he went to the meetings, he was unprepared and his mind was at home longing to “be able to log on again.” Happily, he realized the seriousness of the problem and took measures to correct it. May we never get to the point that using the Internet has become an addiction for us.

Information—Worthy or Not?

At 1 Thessalonians 5:21, 22, we read: “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine. Abstain from every form of wickedness.” We need to determine whether the information we find on the Internet is worthy of God’s approval, meeting his high standards. It should be morally unobjectionable and appropriate for a Christian. Internet pornography has become especially pervasive, and if we are not careful, it can easily lure us into its trap.

We are wise to ask ourselves, ‘Is what I see on the screen something I would quickly hide from my mate, my parents, or my Christian brothers if they entered the room?’ If the answer is yes, we would do well to use the Internet only when others are present. The Internet has indeed changed the way we communicate and shop. In addition, it has opened up a completely new way to ‘commit adultery in our heart.’—Matt. 5:27, 28.

To Forward or Not to Forward?

Using the Internet includes getting information as well as distributing it. Though we have the freedom to obtain and pass on information, we also have the responsibility to ascertain its truthfulness and morality. Can we vouch for the accuracy of what we write or forward to others? Do we have permission to pass the information on? Is it worthwhile and upbuilding? What are our motives in making it available? Do we want to do so simply to impress others?

If used properly, e-mail can be a blessing. It can also flood us with information.