YouTube Channel Discusses the Local Church

Curious · 04-28-2020, 01:16 AM

Yes, opinion is certainly the work of the devil in us. Adam and Eve had no opinions or nasty soulish 'feelings' before the fall. We know this because it must be so, so that Witness Lee is proved correct.

Also, God forgot to put this in the 10 Commandments. After all, it was a stressful time with the Israelites rebelling at the bottom of the mountain the whole while. it must have been very distracting!

I’m sure if Jesus’ ministry lasted more than 3 short years, he would’ve remembered to mention it too. Good thing WL was able to articulate it for the Godhead….better late than never I guess…..it just proves his value as MOTA.

However, shocking though it may seem, there something even WORSE than opinion (and peculiarity-another gem of wisdom from the riches of WL’s ministry) Yes indeedy there is. And I’m here to let everyone here know what that is……it is being magnanimous. WL saw the danger in this as even worse than having an opinion. It is having an opinion that he couldn’t get at!!!!

You can find his insight on this matter covered in his book “The experience of Life” chapter 10, section 8-9, or Google ‘Witness Lee magnanimous’.

To hold one’s own counsel and keep ones own opinions to oneself, to have emotional self-control and be generous hearted enough to tolerate the differences of others, to also perceive the futility of arguing a point when hearers would clearly reject any discussion…..all these are more dangerous and sinister than merely having an opinion.

(Additionally, they are so frustrating when you are attempting to steam-roller a person into submission, where do you lever-up an edge, gain an advantage over someone who cannot be riled, and try as you may, you can't force to engage on your terms? I’m sure nothing could be more frustrating for our poor MOTA than this ability to remain not susceptible to his efforts to get inside someone’s head!)

Somewhere that I can’t find it continued to say that having an opinion and emotional reaction is better than being magnanimous, as at least there is an opening to 'deal with' the person in the case that what is inside them is not under their own control! (my summary of the text).

The dictionary defines ‘magnanimous’ as: ‘being generous and kind in forgiving an insult or injury, free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness’. This definition makes me think straight away, of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 v 4-7.

According to WL, to be magnanimous means to be ‘self-righteous’, ‘arrogant’, ‘blind’, ‘in spiritual darkness’, a ‘Pharisee’ who ‘will one day open their mouth and pour out all these pent-up opinions’! ('Gems' from the text referred to above).

So wise of WL to understand the English language better than English speakers, and to redefine our words for us, oh and also to guide us away from scriptures on love. How deceived we would otherwise be!!!

Interestingly also, WL contradicts all this completely, in his writings on 'emotions'. What he says there instructs his followers to keep feelings and reactions very much to oneself. to be 'mild', 'temperate', 'restricted' and 'restrained', 'polite' and 'self-controlled', 'tranquil'..... magnanimous, perhaps? ["Lessons on Prayer" chapter 7 section 3, easy find by google 'Witness Lee on emotion'].

Therefore, perhaps we can conclude that to treat LC’ers we know with a magnanimous attitude, will be one of the most effective ways to disintegrate their system of thinking. Showing them by example the way of love as outlined in the Corinthians verses above, and being non-reactive to their efforts to control seems to be one thing WL could not conquer in a person. Just a thought that comes to me as I write this.

04-28-2020, 01:16 AM	#11
Curious Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 186	Re: YouTube Channel Discusses the Local Church Yes, opinion is certainly the work of the devil in us. Adam and Eve had no opinions or nasty soulish 'feelings' before the fall. We know this because it must be so, so that Witness Lee is proved correct. Also, God forgot to put this in the 10 Commandments. After all, it was a stressful time with the Israelites rebelling at the bottom of the mountain the whole while. it must have been very distracting! I’m sure if Jesus’ ministry lasted more than 3 short years, he would’ve remembered to mention it too. Good thing WL was able to articulate it for the Godhead….better late than never I guess…..it just proves his value as MOTA. However, shocking though it may seem, there something even *WORSE* than opinion (and peculiarity-another gem of wisdom from the riches of WL’s ministry) Yes indeedy there is. And I’m here to let everyone here know what that is……it is *being magnanimous*. WL saw the danger in this as even worse than having an opinion. It is having an opinion that he couldn’t get at!!!! You can find his insight on this matter covered in his book “The experience of Life” chapter 10, section 8-9, or Google ‘Witness Lee magnanimous’. To hold one’s own counsel and keep ones own opinions to oneself, to have emotional self-control and be generous hearted enough to tolerate the differences of others, to also perceive the futility of arguing a point when hearers would clearly reject any discussion…..all these are more dangerous and sinister than merely having an opinion. (Additionally, they are so frustrating when you are attempting to steam-roller a person into submission, where do you lever-up an edge, gain an advantage over someone who cannot be riled, and try as you may, you can't force to engage on your terms? I’m sure nothing could be more frustrating for our poor MOTA than this ability to remain not susceptible to his efforts to get inside someone’s head!) Somewhere that I can’t find it continued to say that having an opinion and emotional reaction is better than being magnanimous, as at least there is an opening to 'deal with' the person in the case that what is inside them is not under their own control! (my summary of the text). The dictionary defines ‘magnanimous’ as: ‘being generous and kind in forgiving an insult or injury, free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness’. This definition makes me think straight away, of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 v 4-7. According to WL, to be magnanimous means to be ‘self-righteous’, ‘arrogant’, ‘blind’, ‘in spiritual darkness’, a ‘Pharisee’ who ‘will one day open their mouth and pour out all these pent-up opinions’! ('Gems' from the text referred to above). So wise of WL to understand the English language better than English speakers, and to redefine our words for us, oh and also to guide us away from scriptures on love. How deceived we would otherwise be!!! Interestingly also, WL contradicts all this completely, in his writings on 'emotions'. What he says there instructs his followers to keep feelings and reactions very much to oneself. to be 'mild', 'temperate', 'restricted' and 'restrained', 'polite' and 'self-controlled', 'tranquil'..... magnanimous, perhaps? ["Lessons on Prayer" chapter 7 section 3, easy find by google 'Witness Lee on emotion']. Therefore, perhaps we can conclude that to treat LC’ers we know with a magnanimous attitude, will be one of the most effective ways to disintegrate their system of thinking. Showing them by example the way of love as outlined in the Corinthians verses above, and being non-reactive to their efforts to control seems to be one thing WL could not conquer in a person. Just a thought that comes to me as I write this.