How do you politely turn away a Jehovah Witness at your door?

[Rescued One]

Some say LDS or JW are sharing a message, and not actually soliciting.

Mormons train their missionaries and the missionaries have to obey the rules. They are not allowed to knock on doors that have a "No Soliciting" sign. I was a Mormon. I know very little about JWs but after I explained my belief in the Trinity, he never returned. I don't know where his partner was.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. Those verses are in the Bible.

 

[CoreyD]

Jehovah Witnesses have been knocking on my door. I was hoping there was a polite way to turn them away. I don't want to get into a debate with them, but I want them to understand that I have no desire to study their bible.

I would think, in the same way you would politely turn away a salesman.
I asked myself though, how would Jesus answer that question? What came to mind is, the Golden Rule - “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

If you went to someone's home to share a Bible message, and the person is not interested, how would you like them to treat you?
Would you like them to commend you for having the courage to do that, knowing that many people do not welcome your visit?
Would you like them to offer you a glass of water... or lemonade?
Or, maybe you expect that some would not respond favorably, and so, it does not matter the response. Matthew 10:11-15

I don't usually want to get rid of anyone who comes to my door, because they aren't walking on four feet, and have large teeth, and making growling sounds.
Whoever it is that visits my home, will be welcomed... unless you come in the night, when you think I am asleep... because I see people as human beings needing the gospel, and it is an opportunity for me to share it with them... regardless of which religion they belong too.

I have never seen anyone from all the more than 45,000 denominations in the world, so I never get the opportunity to talk to any of them, lest it be when I am engaging in my ministry.
I see Jehovah's Witnesses, and Latter Day Saints, only. Which is interesting.
...and they do show their teeth, but not snarling... smiling.

If Jim Jones had come knocking at my door, or any of his followers, they would not leave my house without a word of scriptural encouragement.
Jesus gave his disciples instructions on how to respond to those who are not hospitable, and he expressed how he viewed such ones.
What about us... how does Jesus view us?

If we fail to show hospitality to people, how does Jesus view us?
Are we really showing love to our neighbor, when we turn people away without trying to help them by sharing the gospel with them... especially when we are viewing them as lost souls, destined to hell, because they do not know Jesus?
What Jesus and his apostles said, tells us the answers to those questions. Luke 6:31-46; Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:20

God also says it is a serious sin to refuse to warn persons. He says this... Ezekiel 3:17, 18

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from My mouth, give them a warning from Me. If I say to the wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ but you do not warn him or speak out to warn him from his wicked way to save his life, that wicked man will die in his iniquity, and I will hold you responsible for his blood.

If we can't be friendly to all people, and show real Christian love to them by sharing the gospel "with gentleness and respect" 1 Peter 3:15, something is wrong with our profession, isn't it. Isn't it just a profession?

I can go to a Latter Day Saint's, or Jehovah's Witness home, and talk with them for a long time, and they would welcome me. They never turn me away.
Why do you want to turn people away?
You don't love them?

 

[RileyG]

Mormons train their missionaries and the missionaries have to obey the rules. They are not allowed to knock on doors that have a "No Soliciting" sign. I was a Mormon. I know very little about JWs but after I explained my belief in the Trinity, he never returned. I don't know where his partner was.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. Those verses are in the Bible.

Thanks for the info! LDS always seem kinder and more tolerant of others, in my opinion.

 

[CoreyD]

It's difficult to do in few words, but I think the best way is to very gently show them where they're wrong — specifically focusing on Jesus. I've done this on two different occasions and they didn't return. This way you (1) get your house flagged as a place they don't want to visit, and (2) you may evangelise to the person visiting you, even if it's just planting a seed.

It sounds like you have applied 1 Peter 3:15. That's very good.
The only thing I disagree with, is your wanting "your house flagged as a place they don't want to visit".
Why would you do that if you desire to help all people, including Jehovah's Witnesses.
I don't think you don't believe there are people. Am I right?

 

[CoreyD]

You clearly and boldly tell them up front in no uncertain terms that your God is the man Jesus Christ.

If they continue to talk you simply ask them "Did you hear what I said?" And repeat it again boldly but with love -
"I said my God is the man Jesus Christ."

That's funny.

That is all you have to make completely clear to them. You don't have to shake their hand.
If they wish to shake your hand you decline politely. "I don't think I can shake your hand because my God is the man Jesus. And you are working against this. So I don't think I should shake your hand."

Do not get nasty. Simply say this. And whatever else they say as they walk away, you just proclaim "Jesus is Lord."

You don't want to shake their hand?
Why? Are you afraid you will catch JWS?

I think refusing to shake your neighbor's hand when they offer it to you in a friendly gesture, is being unfriendly.
Do you think that's loving?

At Matthew 10:13, Jesus gave instructions, on how his disciples are to be.
I think he expects his disciples to follow that example.
What do you think?

 

[Hazelelponi]

Jehovah Witnesses have been knocking on my door. I was hoping there was a polite way to turn them away. I don't want to get into a debate with them, but I want them to understand that I have no desire to study their bible.

I would just not answer the door.

There's no point...

 

[petergreenwell]

Hey! I love Jehovah Witnesses! They practice the daily sacrifice! They're sweet people. Here's a funny story.
I invited them in the last time they came by. I told them I would listen to them as long as they would listen to me too. after about 15 minutes they started scrambling for the door rofl. I love talking about different ideas about the Bible I wish those guys did

 

[Hazelelponi]

That's funny.


You don't want to shake their hand?
Why? Are you afraid you will catch JWS?

I think refusing to shake your neighbor's hand when they offer it to you in a friendly gesture, is being unfriendly.
Do you think that's loving?

At Matthew 10:13, Jesus gave instructions, on how his disciples are to be.
I think he expects his disciples to follow that example.
What do you think?

As people JW are fine people. I visited an elderly JW, ended up there for hours talking to him about God.

But he wasn't selling my husband and I and we weren't selling him, we were just believers talking about what we believed in as friends.

It's a different proposition than someone coming to your house and trying to sell you... Being friends/neighbors.

People generally don't like the door knockers... My husband will sit for hours and debate with them though .. takes all kinds I guess... Lol

 

[CoreyD]

As people JW are fine people. I visited an elderly JW, ended up there for hours talking to him about God.

But he wasn't selling my husband and I and we weren't selling him, we were just believers talking about what we believed in as friends.

It's a different proposition than someone coming to your house and trying to sell you... Being friends/neighbors.

That's an expression I am not familiar with. What does selling someone mean?

People generally don't like the door knockers... My husband will sit for hours and debate with them though .. takes all kinds I guess... Lol

People love door knockers, when it saves them having to go out to get what they want.
It's what's being offered that people do not like, and that's why people hide, depending on who is knocking.
If a person wants utensils, they are happy to see the salesman, at their door.
If people want to hear a Bible message, they are happy to see a preacher, at their door.

 

[Daniel9v9]

It sounds like you have applied 1 Peter 3:15. That's very good.
The only thing I disagree with, is your wanting "your house flagged as a place they don't want to visit".
Why would you do that if you desire to help all people, including Jehovah's Witnesses.
I don't think you don't believe there are people. Am I right?

No, you’re not right. We can’t force people to believe in Jesus, and the reality is that when they know that you are Christian, they won’t visit you. That’s not my choice, that’s their choice. The reason they won’t visit is because they reject Christ and don’t want to hear God’s Word. That’s very sad, but that’s the outcome of proclaiming Christ to those JW who visit you at home.

In other words, the loving thing is to proclaim Christ as Lord, and not to signal to them that we want to receive their teachings.

 

[BobRyan]

We earn rewards or what they call crowns. Then we throw those crowns at the feet of Jesus because we are not worthy.

Revelation 4 19And whenever the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to the One seated on the throne who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before the One seated on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying: 11“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and came to be.”

If you were going door-to-door to share the gospel and at two houses in a row the lady of the house answered the door then after asking her if she and her family would like to know more about the Gospel in a bible study - she let you know that she already went to church , and was a Jehovah's Witness.

Would you ask God for a good way to turn-away from that home?

 

[CoreyD]

No, you’re not right. We can’t force people to believe in Jesus, and the reality is that when they know that you are Christian, they won’t visit you. That’s not my choice, that’s their choice. The reason they won’t visit is because they reject Christ and don’t want to hear God’s Word. That’s very sad, but that’s the outcome of proclaiming Christ to those JW who visit you at home.

In other words, the loving thing is to proclaim Christ as Lord, and not to signal to them that we want to receive their teachings.

What do you believe they are, if not people?

 

[oikonomia]

That's funny.


You don't want to shake their hand?
Why? Are you afraid you will catch JWS?

I think refusing to shake your neighbor's hand when they offer it to you in a friendly gesture, is being unfriendly.
Do you think that's loving?

At Matthew 10:13, Jesus gave instructions, on how his disciples are to be.
I think he expects his disciples to follow that example.
What do you think?

My aim is to be faithful, honest and help them. It is not my intention to make them feel bad.
Love can be frank and not political. It is the faithfulness in honesty which may just touch their conscience and cause them
one day to repent of that false teaching and receive Christ.

I am also guided by exhortation of the Apostle John:

Look to yourselves that you do not lose the things which we wrought, but that you may receive a full reward.
Everyone who goes beyond and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not say to him, Rejoice!
For he who says to him, Rejoice, shares in his evil works. (2 John 2:8-11)

By the way, JWs can get saved also just like any other unbeliever deceived by the Devil.
Having faithful and honest Christians deal with them in love yet firmly standing with the truth
helps - with prayer for them to see the light.

 

[Daniel9v9]

What do you believe they are, if not people?

What makes you think I don’t believe JW members are people when I call them people? They are certainly people, but people who reject the person and works of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like all people, they need to hear that they are sinners who need repentance and faith in Jesus, to receive forgiveness of sins, adoption by God, and eternal life. Sadly they don’t want to hear this. But if the good news of Jesus cause some to leave their religion and receive Christ as Lord, God be praised!

 

[KingdomLeast]

I guess it depends on your area, they have been going around my neighborhood intermittently for a few months.

Yeah, apparently they are not as active going door to door as they use too. I've lived in this neighborhood for 8 years, they knocked only once. Although as a Letter Carrier, I've delivered plenty of their letters.

 

[CoreyD]

My aim is to be faithful, honest and help them. I is not my entention to not make them feel bad.
Love can be frank and not political. It is the faithfulness in honesty which may just touch their conscience and cause them
one day to repent of that false teaching and receive Christ.

I think I prefer the Bible's definition.
1 Corinthians 13:1-8
1 If I speak with the tongues of mankind and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. 5 It does not act disgracefully,

We know one can be nasty without being verbally nasty.
Gracefulness is shown, not only in speech, but actions also.
How does one let their peace return to them, if there is no peace?

If a Jehovah's Witness was at your door, and was having an asthma attack, or fainted, or...
You would not close the door, and refuse to help, would you?
What if he thanks you after, and offers his hand?
Would your refusal to shake his hand not tell him, "Look. I don't really care about you, you know. I only helped you because I felt it was my duty."?
Is that how our ministry is viewed... a duty?

Is it not love for God, and neighbor, that is the basis for the ministry? Matthew 22:37-39; Matthew 5:43-48

I am also guided by exhortation of the Apostle John:

Look to yourselves that you do not lose the things which we wrought, but that you may receive a full reward.
Everyone who goes beyond and does not abide in the teaching of Christ does not have God; he who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.

If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not say to him, Rejoice!
For he who says to him, Rejoice, shares in his evil works. (2 John 2:8-11)

By the way, JWs can get saved also just like any other unbeliever deceived by the Devil.
Having faithful and honest Christians deal with them in love yet firmly standing with the truth
helps - with prayer for them to see the light.

Oh, I see.
You were trying to apply scripture. I understand.
In that case, would you not have to even refuse to greet the person?

2 John 1:7-10
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the antichrist.
9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your home or even greet him

Both JWs, and LDS believe that Jesus came in the flesh though.

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1955442

Chapter 4: Jesus Christ, the Son of God

Chapter 4: Jesus Christ, the Son of God

www.churchofjesuschrist.org

So, I am just wondering why you apply this scripture to them.

 

[CoreyD]

What makes you think I don’t believe JW members are people when I call them people? They are certainly people, but people who reject the person and works of our Lord Jesus Christ. Like all people, they need to hear that they are sinners who need repentance and faith in Jesus, to receive forgiveness of sins, adoption by God, and eternal life. Sadly they don’t want to hear this. But if the good news of Jesus cause some to leave their religion and receive Christ as Lord, God be praised!

Oh. I must have misunderstood you, and I think you misunderstood me.
CoreyD said:
It sounds like you have applied 1 Peter 3:15. That's very good.
The only thing I disagree with, is your wanting "your house flagged as a place they don't want to visit".
Why would you do that if you desire to help all people, including Jehovah's Witnesses.
I don't think you don't believe there are people. Am I right?

Daniel9v9 said:
No, you’re not right.

 

[Daniel9v9]

Oh. I must have misunderstood you, and I think you misunderstood me.
CoreyD said:
It sounds like you have applied 1 Peter 3:15. That's very good.
The only thing I disagree with, is your wanting "your house flagged as a place they don't want to visit".
Why would you do that if you desire to help all people, including Jehovah's Witnesses.
I don't think you don't believe there are people. Am I right?

Daniel9v9 said:
No, you’re not right.

Apologies for the confusion! I thought you were suggesting that I don’t view them as people. Here’s what I’m saying:

If JW comes to us, which is for the sole purpose of spreading false doctrine, we can and should reject their teachings. We can do this, for example, by saying we’re not interested. However, what may be preferable is to not only reject their false doctrine, but to reject it by speaking the truth in love: show them that Christ is Lord and explain how this is good news.

The difference is this: if we say something akin to “not interested”, they (1) won’t hear the Gospel from you, and (2) they’re likely to come again to attempt to sway you. I don’t think that’s particularly fruitful. But if we proclaim the Gospel and Christ as Lord, they can hear the truth, but they’re likely to not come back. Their organisation is likely to flag your house as a place to not visit. But at least this way we can tell them the truth, plant a seed, and have peace from their false doctrine.

 

[Rescued One]

I would think, in the same way you would politely turn away a salesman.
I asked myself though, how would Jesus answer that question? What came to mind is, the Golden Rule - “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

If you went to someone's home to share a Bible message, and the person is not interested, how would you like them to treat you?
Would you like them to commend you for having the courage to do that, knowing that many people do not welcome your visit?
Would you like them to offer you a glass of water... or lemonade?
Or, maybe you expect that some would not respond favorably, and so, it does not matter the response. Matthew 10:11-15

I don't usually want to get rid of anyone who comes to my door, because they aren't walking on four feet, and have large teeth, and making growling sounds.
Whoever it is that visits my home, will be welcomed... unless you come in the night, when you think I am asleep... because I see people as human beings needing the gospel, and it is an opportunity for me to share it with them... regardless of which religion they belong too.

I have never seen anyone from all the more than 45,000 denominations in the world, so I never get the opportunity to talk to any of them, lest it be when I am engaging in my ministry.
I see Jehovah's Witnesses, and Latter Day Saints, only. Which is interesting.
...and they do show their teeth, but not snarling... smiling.

If Jim Jones had come knocking at my door, or any of his followers, they would not leave my house without a word of scriptural encouragement.
Jesus gave his disciples instructions on how to respond to those who are not hospitable, and he expressed how he viewed such ones.
What about us... how does Jesus view us?

If we fail to show hospitality to people, how does Jesus view us?
Are we really showing love to our neighbor, when we turn people away without trying to help them by sharing the gospel with them... especially when we are viewing them as lost souls, destined to hell, because they do not know Jesus?
What Jesus and his apostles said, tells us the answers to those questions. Luke 6:31-46; Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 12:20

God also says it is a serious sin to refuse to warn persons. He says this... Ezekiel 3:17, 18


If we can't be friendly to all people, and show real Christian love to them by sharing the gospel "with gentleness and respect" 1 Peter 3:15, something is wrong with our profession, isn't it. Isn't it just a profession?

I can go to a Latter Day Saint's, or Jehovah's Witness home, and talk with them for a long time, and they would welcome me. They never turn me away.
Why do you want to turn people away?
You don't love them?

We don't bring people to Christ. God does. Talking to cultists doesn't save them. God does. Few of us have the ability to change a person's devotion to a false God. And to spend hours talking to cultists might be hours you could spend with someone else.

Choosing to politely guard our alotted time on earth doesn't mean we don't love others. The story of the Good Samaritan comes to mind. God provided help to the victim. Perhaps He directs us to wisely use our time.

What does it mean to shake the dust off your feet? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to shake the dust off your feet? Under what circumstances were the disciples to shake the dust off of their feet?

www.gotquestions.org

I wasn't prepared to refute Mormons when they came to me as a teenager.

 

[Rescued One]

Thanks for the info! LDS always seem kinder and more tolerant of others, in my opinion.

Their beliefs and scriptures are intolerant, but they catch more converts with honey than with vinegar. Part of their strategy in gaining converts is polteness and conservative appearance. They won't tell you that your church is apostate or of the devil. Their scriptures do that.