Publication date
5/1/16
Volume
37
Number
9
The WatchTower
The Christian's Warfare Against Pride
The Watchtower Magazines
../literature/watchtower/1916/9/1916-9-1.html
 
 
A?RII. 
15, 
1916 
THE 
WATCH 
TOWER 
(123-131) 
straight 
paths 
for 
our 
feet," 
and 
believing 
that 
the 
special 
"Vow" 
is 
a 
great 
means 
to 
that 
end, 
we 
wish 
to 
add 
our 
names 
to 
the 
many 
who 
have 
already 
taken 
it, 
and 
thereby 
make 
it 
our 
own. 
Praying 
our 
heavenly 
Father's 
rich 
blessing 
upon 
you, 
dear 
Brother, 
and 
asking 
a 
continued 
interest 
in 
your 
prayers, 
We 
are: 
[Fifty-two 
signatures 
follow.] 
THE 
DIAGLOTT 
DEAR 
Sms:- 
I 
have 
in 
my 
possession 
a 
copy 
of 
the 
EMPHATIC 
DIAGLOTT, 
and 
esteem 
it 
very 
highly. 
I 
have 
compared 
it 
with 
the 
works 
of 
the 
great 
English 
commentator 
Clarke, 
and 
all 
of 
his 
citations 
to 
the 
Greek 
are 
identical 
with 
the 
DIAGLOTT; 
I 
have 
been 
comparing 
the 
Septuagint 
with 
it, 
and 
where 
the 
DIAG­ 
LOTT 
makes 
reference 
to 
the 
Old 
Testament, 
I 
find 
the 
text 
the 
same. 
The 
good 
I 
have 
received 
from 
its 
study, 
plus 
the 
in­ 
('rea 
sed 
value 
of 
it 
by 
comparison, 
has 
greatly 
endeared 
the 
work 
to 
me. 
I 
am 
engaged 
in 
the 
work 
of 
the 
ministry 
and 
in 
circulat­ 
ing 
sacred 
literature, 
including 
Bibles 
and 
Testaments. 
I 
would 
be 
glad 
to 
handle 
a 
few 
copies 
of 
the 
DIAGLOTT, 
if 
you 
can 
give 
me 
a 
fair 
commission 
on 
them. 
I 
have 
an 
order 
now 
for 
one 
copy. 
If 
you 
will 
quote 
me 
agent's 
terms, 
I 
shall 
be 
glad 
to 
handle 
some 
for 
you. 
Please 
include 
your 
pamphlet 
on 
ARMAGEDDON. 
Respectfully 
yours, 
REV. 
SEES 
GETHSEMANE 
EXPERIENCES 
AHEAD 
DEAR 
BROTHER 
RUSSELL:- 
Just 
a 
line, 
dear 
Brother, 
to 
wish 
that 
our 
dear 
Lord 
and 
Master 
continue 
to 
bless 
you, 
as 
he 
has 
so 
richly 
done 
in 
the 
past. 
I 
remember 
you 
every 
morning 
at 
the 
throne 
of 
grace. 
Wle 
in 
this 
country 
seem 
to 
be 
on 
the 
verge 
of 
Gethsemane 
experiences, 
as 
the 
conscription 
bill 
has 
passed. 
One 
of 
my 
sons 
has 
now 
reached 
the 
age 
of 
19. 
He 
has 
so 
far 
given 
a 
good 
witness 
for 
the 
Lord 
by 
refusing 
to 
enlist 
in 
the 
army, 
and 
if 
it 
should 
come 
that 
it 
will 
mean 
being 
shot 
for 
still 
refusing, 
I 
trust 
he 
will 
receive 
the 
heavenly 
grace 
to 
stand 
firm 
to 
the 
principles 
of 
truth 
and 
righteousness. 
Brother, 
we 
ask 
your 
prayers 
for 
us 
during 
this 
evil 
hour. 
Yours 
in 
the 
one 
hope, 
W. 
O. 
WARDEN.-Scotland. 
"LO, 
WE 
TURN 
TO 
THE 
GENTILES!" 
[The 
first 
five 
paragraphs 
of 
this 
article 
were 
reprinted 
from 
article 
entitled, 
"Lo, 
We 
Turn 
to 
the 
Gentiles" 
published 
in 
issue 
of 
May 
1, 
1902. 
The 
remainder 
was 
reprinted 
from 
article 
entitled, 
"The 
Gospel 
of 
Forgiveness 
of 
Sms" 
published 
in 
issue 
of 
May 
15, 
1902. 
Please 
see 
the 
articles 
named.] 
YOLo 
XXXVII 
BROOKLYN, 
N. 
Y., 
MAY 
1, 
1916 
No.9 
THE 
CHRISTIAN'S 
WARFARE 
AGAINST 
PRIDE 
"The 
weapons 
of 
our 
warfare 
are 
not 
carnal, 
but 
mighty 
through 
God 
to 
the 
pulling 
down 
of 
stronghold.sj 
casting 
down 
imaginations, 
and 
every 
~igh 
thing 
that 
exalteth, 
and 
bringing 
into 
captivity 
every 
thought 
to 
the 
obedience 
Of 
Ohrist."-2 
Corinthians 
10: 
4, 
5. 
Soldiers 
of 
the 
Cross 
are 
of 
a 
different 
kind 
and 
are 
dif- 
every 
form 
of 
thought 
that 
would 
lead 
us 
astray 
amI 
hinder 
ferently 
armed 
from 
the 
soldiers 
of 
the 
world. 
Ours 
is 
a 
fight 
the 
work 
of 
grace 
in 
our 
hearts 
and 
minds. 
These 
imagina­ 
against 
the 
spirit 
of 
the 
world 
and 
against 
the 
flesh. 
It 
is 
tions 
of 
the 
natural 
mind 
exalt 
themselves 
against 
the 
true 
the 
fight 
not 
only 
against 
the 
imperfections 
that 
came 
into 
knowledge 
of 
God, 
the 
spirit 
of 
God-"high 
things," 
the 
our 
flesh 
through 
our 
forefathE'r's 
disobedience, 
but 
against 
Apostle 
calls 
them. 
the 
natnral 
opposition 
of 
the 
flesh 
to 
sacrifice. 
The 
flesh 
We 
are 
to 
"mind 
not 
high 
tllings." 
The 
Apostle 
docs 
not 
instinctively 
struggles 
to 
avoid 
sacrifice. 
Moreover, 
our 
fight 
mean 
that 
we 
are 
not 
to 
mind 
the 
high 
things 
that 
are 
is 
against 
unseen 
spiritual 
foes. 
The 
world 
have 
their 
swords 
spiritual; 
for 
in 
another 
place 
he 
says, 
"Set 
your 
affections 
and 
their 
guns 
as 
weapons 
of 
warfare. 
And 
the 
Lord 
bas 
on 
things 
above, 
not 
on 
things 
on 
the 
earth." 
(Colo~si~~ns 
3: 
2) 
provided 
us 
an 
armor; 
namely, 
the 
breastplate 
of 
righteous- 
In 
other 
words, 
set 
your 
affections 
on 
the 
very 
hi:~hl'st 
things. 
ness, 
the 
helmet 
of 
salvation, 
the 
shield 
of 
faith, 
the 
Sword 
of 
But 
the 
"high 
things" 
of 
the 
world 
are 
wry 
differt'nt; 
t~ey 
the 
Spirit, 
and 
the 
sandals 
of 
"the 
preparation 
of 
the 
Gospel 
exalt 
themselves 
against 
the 
things 
which 
are 
truly 
high, 
of 
Peace." 
These 
are 
all 
weapons 
of 
defense, 
except 
the 
sword. 
which 
are 
of 
God. 
The 
Lord's 
children 
are 
to 
bE' 
humble, 
not, 
The 
sword 
is 
an 
aggressive 
weapon.-Ephesians 
6:11-18. 
high-minded, 
not 
to 
be 
curripd 
away 
by 
the 
empty 
honors, 
In 
the 
case 
of 
the 
Christian, 
"the 
Sword 
of 
the 
~pirit, 
projects 
and 
ambitions 
of 
earth. 
The 
desire 
to 
h:lVe 
a 
place 
which 
is 
the 
vVord 
of 
God," 
is 
to 
be 
handled 
to 
accomplish 
among' 
men, 
to 
shine 
in 
society. 
to 
have 
wealth 
and 
influence, 
good, 
to 
be 
used 
in 
opposition 
to 
Satan 
and 
sin. 
But 
the 
to 
have 
whatever 
things 
would 
bring 
us 
into 
high 
estpcm 
thought 
of 
this 
Scripture 
seems 
to 
be, 
not 
that 
we 
are 
com- 
amongst 
mankind, 
is 
a 
temptation 
that 
the 
disciple 
of 
Christ 
missioned 
to 
fight 
the 
world, 
but 
that 
we 
are 
to 
strive 
to 
be 
must 
guard 
against. 
loyal 
to 
the 
Lord, 
to 
fight 
sin 
in 
ourselves 
and 
wherever 
it 
It 
has 
been 
noted 
by 
those 
wno 
have 
the 
care 
of 
th~ 
might 
properly 
be 
under 
our 
jurisdiction, 
and 
to 
repel 
the 
mentally 
defective 
that 
a 
great 
deal 
of 
difficulty 
lies 
in 
the 
attack~ 
of 
the 
adversary. 
The 
exercise 
of 
our 
powers 
in 
bring- 
imaglination. 
It 
is 
said 
that 
if 
one 
visits 
an 
in&ane 
asylum, 
ing 
self 
into 
subjection 
means 
a 
great 
deal 
in 
the 
way 
of 
he 
will 
find 
one 
here 
who 
thinks 
he 
is 
a 
king; 
there 
another, 
sacrifice, 
much 
in 
the 
way 
of 
battling. 
God 
has 
given 
us 
who 
im>tgines 
that 
she 
is 
a 
queen; 
another 
who 
imagines 
he 
"exceeding 
great 
and 
precious 
promises." 
The 
New 
Creature 
is 
fabulously 
rich 
aud 
could 
draw 
checks 
for 
millions. 
The 
is 
made 
strong 
by 
these 
promises-strong 
in 
proportion 
as 
he 
organ 
of 
s'elf-esteem 
has 
been 
too 
large. 
The 
Lord 
onll 
perceives 
the 
significance 
of 
these 
promises, 
and 
feeds 
upon 
knows 
how 
much 
the 
individual 
himself 
has 
had 
to 
do 
in 
them. 
cultivating 
this 
tendency. 
But 
he 
has 
always 
more 
or 
less 
MENTAL 
STRONGHOLDS 
TO 
BE 
CAST 
DOWN 
to 
do 
with 
the 
matter; 
the 
high 
imagination>! 
and 
the 
desire 
The 
Apostle 
is 
pointing 
out 
that 
these 
strongholds 
which 
to 
be 
great 
obtain 
dominion 
over 
him-get 
the 
mastery. 
we 
are 
to 
pull 
down 
are 
in 
ourselves. 
Sin 
is 
entrenched 
in 
PRIDE 
LEADS 
'1'0 
MENTAL 
UNBALANCE 
our 
minds, 
in 
our 
imaginations. 
Pride, 
selfishness 
and 
various 
The 
same 
thing 
appliE's 
to 
Christians. 
After 
coming 
into 
other 
kinds 
of 
sin, 
are 
entrenched 
in 
us 
through 
the 
long 
cen- 
the 
church 
of 
Christ, 
they 
arE' 
still 
liable 
to 
the 
ambition 
to 
turies 
of 
the 
downward 
tendencies 
of 
our 
race. 
These 
things 
become 
some 
great 
one, 
to 
do 
some 
great 
thing, 
to 
find 
or 
have 
dug' 
deep 
trenches 
in 
our 
system; 
they 
are 
firml.v 
fastened 
promulgate 
some 
great 
doctrine, 
to 
discover 
some 
new 
inter­ 
there. 
But, 
urges 
St. 
Paul, 
"Let 
not 
sin 
have 
dominion 
over 
pretation 
of 
Scripture 
or 
some 
new 
type. 
All 
these 
are 
"high 
your 
mortal 
body." 
Destroy 
the 
stronghold. 
Bring 
your 
things 
that 
exalt." 
Our 
Lord 
gave 
a 
discourse 
upon 
this 
sub­ 
entire 
being 
into 
subjection 
to 
the 
will 
of 
God. 
ject, 
telling 
us 
that 
when 
we 
are 
invited 
to 
a 
feast, 
we 
should 
By 
way 
of 
pointing 
out 
what 
these 
strongholds 
are-that 
not 
take 
a 
high 
seat, 
but 
a 
low 
seat-and 
perhaps 
afterward 
they 
are 
mental 
strongholds-the 
Apostle 
says, 
"Casting 
dawn 
we 
might 
be 
exalted. 
To 
desire 
these 
things 
and 
to 
seek 
for 
imaginations, 
and 
every 
high 
thing 
that 
exalteth." 
Our 
them 
is 
to 
have 
"strongholds" 
of 
pride 
and 
unholy 
ambition 
imaginations 
may 
be 
of 
many 
kinds. 
We 
may 
be 
beset 
by 
in 
the 
imagination, 
aspirations 
for 
exaltation 
and 
honor. 
Then 
false 
doctrines 
and 
superstitions 
that 
have 
come 
down 
to 
us 
comes 
the 
thought 
that 
we 
are 
great, 
that 
we 
are 
worthy 
of 
from 
past 
ages. 
The 
Word 
of 
the 
Lord 
is 
the 
only 
thing 
that 
attention, 
of 
>!pecial 
notice. 
Mental 
unbalance 
is 
there. 
The 
can 
effectually 
cast 
these 
down 
and 
make 
us 
see 
God's 
real 
fact 
is 
that 
we 
are 
all 
in>!ignificant, 
of 
very 
little 
importance 
character, 
make 
us 
see 
his 
glorious 
promises 
to 
the 
church 
in 
the 
execution 
of 
the 
Lord's 
plan. 
now 
and 
to 
the 
world 
in 
the 
future. 
The 
Word 
of 
the 
Lord 
The 
Lord 
could 
have 
done 
all 
his 
great 
work 
writhout 
us 
is 
the 
only 
thing 
that 
will 
cast 
down 
imaginations-ignorance, 
and 
our 
co-operation, 
probably 
more 
easily 
than 
with 
us. 
But 
supersbition, 
pride, 
unholy 
amhitions, 
idle 
speculations, 
and 
he 
very 
graciously 
permits 
us 
to 
have 
a 
part 
in 
his 
work, 
for 
[5889] 
Aprit 15, 1916 straight paths for our feet,” and believing that the special “Vow” is a great means to that end, we wish to add our names to the many who have already taken it, and thereby make it our own. Praying our heavenly Father’s rich blessing upon you, dear Brother, and asking a continued interest in your prayers, We are: {Fifty-two signatures follow.] THE DIAGLOTT Dear Sims:— I have in my possession a copy of the EMpHatic Dractort, and esteem it very highly. I have compared it with the works of the great English commentator Clarke, and all of his citations to the Greek are identical with the Dracrotr; I have been comparing the Septuagint with it, and where the D1acLoTT makes reference to the Old ‘[estament, I find the text the same, The good I have received from its study, plus the increased value of it by comparison, has greatly endeared the work to me. I am engaged in the work of the ministry and in circulating sacred literature, including Bibles and Testaments. I THE WATCH TOWER (123-131) would be glad to handle a few copies of the Diactort, if you can give me a fair commission on them. I have an order now for one copy. If you will quote me agent’s terms, I shall be glad to handle some for you. Please include your pamphlet on ARMAGEDDON, Respectfully yours, Rev. SEES GETHSEMANE EXPERIENCES AHEAD Dear BRoTHER RUSSELL :—~ Just a line, dear Brother, to wish that our dear Lord and Master continue to bless you, as he has so richly done in the past. I remember you every morning at the throne of grace. We in this country seem to be on the verge of Gethsemane experiences, ag the conscription bill has passed. One of my sons has now reached the age of 19. He has so far given a good witness for the Lord by refusing to enlist in the army, and if it should come that it will mean being shot for still refusing, I trust he will receive the heavenly grace to stard firm to the principles of truth and righteousness. Brother, we ask your prayers for us during this evil hour. Yours in the one hope, W. 0. WABDEN,—Scotland. “LO, WE TURN TO THE GENTILES!” {The first five paragraphs of this article were reprinted from article entitled, “Lo, We Turn to the Gentiles” published in issue of May 1, 1902. The remainder was reprinted from article entitled, “The Gospel of Forgiveness of Sins” published in issue of May 15, 1902. Please see the articles named.] Vout. XXXVII BROOKLYN, N. Y., MAY 1, 1916 ————— No. 9 THE CHRISTIAN’S WARFARE AGAINST PRIDE “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”—2 Corinthians 10:4, 5. Soldiers of the Cross are of a different kind and are differently armed from the soldiers of the world. Ours is a fight against the spirit of the world and against the flesh, It is the fight not only against the imperfections that came into our flesh through our forefather’s disobedience, but against the natural opposition of the flesh to sacrifice. The flesh instinctively struggies to avoid sacrifice. Moreover, our fight is against unseen spiritual foes. The world have their swords and their guns as weapons of warfare. And the Lord has provided us an armor; namely, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith, the Sword of the Spirit, and the sandals of “the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.” ‘These are all weapons of defense, except the sword. The sword is an aggressive weapon.—-Ephesians 6:11-18. In the case of the Christian, “the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Gcd,” is to be handied to accomplish good, to be used in opposition to Satan and sin. But the thought of this Scripture seems to be, not that we are commissioned to fight the world, but that we are to strive to be loyal to the Lord, to fight sin in ourselves and wherever it might properly be under our jurisdiction, and to repel the attacks of the adversary. The exercise of our powers in bringing self into subjection means a great deal in the way of sacrifice, much in the way of battling. God has given us “exceeding great and precious promises.” The New Creature is made strong by these promises—strong in proportion as he perceives the significance of these promises, and feeds upon them. MENTAL STRONGHOLDS TO BE CAST DOWN The Apostle is pointing out that these strongholds which we are to pull down are in ourselves. Sin is entrenched in our minds, in our imaginations, Pride, selfishness and various other kinds of sin, are entrenched in us through the long centuries of the downward tendencies of our race, These things have dug deep trenches in our system; they are firmly fastened there. But, urges St. Paul, “Let not sin have dominion over your morta: body.” Destroy the stronghold. Bring your entire being into subjection to the will of God. By way of pointing out what these strongholds are—that they are mental strongholds—the Apostle says, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth.” Our imaginations may be of many kinds. We may be heset by false doctrines and superstitions that have come down to us from past ages. The Word of the Lord is the only thing that ean effectually cast these down and make us see God’s real character, make us see his glorious promises to the church now and to the world in the future. The Word of the Lord is the only thing that will cast down imaginations—ienorance, superstition, pride, unholy ambitions, idle speculations, and every form of thought that would lead us astray and hinder the work of grace in our hearts and minds. These imaginations of the natural mind exalt themselves against the true knowledge of God, the spirit of God—‘thigh things,’ the Apostle calls them, We are to “mind not high things.” The Apostle does not mean that we are not to mind the high things that are spiritual; for in another place he says, “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossizns 3:2) In other words, set your affections on the very highest things. But the “high things” of the world are very different; tney exalt themselves against the things which are truly high, which are of God. The Lord’s children are to be humble, nob, high-minded, not to be carried away by the empty honors, projects and ambitions of earth. The desire to have a place among men, to shine in society, to have wealth and influence, to have whatever things would bring us into high esteem amongst mankind, is a temptation that the disciple of Christ must guard against. It has been noted by those who have the care of the mentally defective that a great deal of difficulty lies in the imagination. It is said that if one visits an insane asylum, he will find one here who thinks he is a king; there ancther, who imagines that she is a queen; another who imagines he is fabulously rich and could draw checks for millions. The organ of self-esteem has been too large. The Lord only knows how much the individual himself has had to do in cultivating this tendency. But he has always more or less to do with the matter; the high imaginations and the desire to be great obtain dominion over him—get the mastery. PRIDE LEADS TO MENTAL UNBALANCE The same thing applies to Christians. After coming into the church of Christ, they are still liable to the ambition to become some great one, to do some great thing, to find or promulgate some great doctrine, to discover some new interpretation of Scripture or some new type. All these are “high things that exalt.” Our Lord gave a discourse upon this subject, telling us that when we are invited to a feast, we should not take a high seat, but a low seat—and perhaps afterward we might be exalted. To desire these things and to seek for them is to have “strongholds” of pride and unholy ambition in the imagination, aspirations for exaltation and honor. Then comes the thought that we are great, that we are worthy of attention, of special notice. Mental unbalance is there. ‘he fact is that we are all insignificant, of very little importance in the execution of the Lord’s plan. The Lord could have done all his great work without us and our co-operation, probably more easily than with us. But he very graciously permits us to have a part in his work, for [5889]

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