Right thing for the wrong reason

[Gypsy]

Yesterday my wife's ex-mother-in-law (who is a Jehovah's Witness) sent my 8 year old step-son a package which contained among other things, some Jehovah Witness literature. I'm sore about it – to say the least, but am still trying to determine how to respond.


What I'd really like to do is have him send a thank you note in a package which also contains literature from our church, but am afraid that this would be doing the right thing for the wrong reason. I don't have any problem disseminating information, it's a witnessing opportunity, but I afraid that if I did this it would be done with spite in my heart and not for the right reason.


How sinful is it, do you think, to do something that is right, but to be motivated from something which is not (in my case spitefulness)?


Any advice, similar experience, prayer or relevant scripture would be greatly appreciated.

[KATMAN]

Could you or your explain to her what she done was wrong? I'm sure by now that she relizes that you all are not JW's and going another direction.A simple explaination over the phone should tell her how you feel abour her trying to detour your son's faith. I'm sorry,but what she done was wrong.It's one thing to send a adult liteature,but an 8 year old? I'd call her and tell her how it was wrong.

[stepbystep]

yeah i don't see sending her a package in return out of spite would be the right think to do. and i'm not sure how it would help you witness to the lady.

[Gypsy]

yeah i don't see sending her a package in return out of spite would be the right think to do. and i'm not sure how it would help you witness to the lady.

I know. I know. I know! [/tantrum]

It just would be so satisfying! I guess I know in my heart that the right thing to do is not the easy or satisfying thing here. I'm still in prayer about what exactly the right response will be and how to handle the literature (which he has seen, we never had cause to censor her mail before this) with my stepson.

[deetiff]

If it would be easier for you write her a letter when you have calmed down and have had time to pray about it.

Then Sit down with your son and explaine about diferent beliefs and that Grandma just believes different from you do. God will help him as his faith growes stronger as to how to deal with grandmas beliefs and maybe he can show her the truth and get her to understand and come to Jesus someday.

What does your husband feel and suggest?

Sometimes afeter something like this I get stupid feelings to get even, or say something inappropriate, but after I calm down and pray they go away then I feel like a jurk for thinking something so dumb. Thank God I can laugh about it becasue I did listen to the Holy Spirits advice and do what He wanted me to do wwwhhheeeww!!! I know just intertaining the thought is a sin but sometimes you have a hard time controling those nasty thoughts...Prayer does help!!

Deetiff

[Buck shot]

Hey Gypsy,

i'm going to just hold my tongue on what i would do as you really seem to want to do the Godly thing here. It is pretty bad to sneak that kind of garbage to an eight year old though.

Does she know that you are a Christian?

[Brother Mark]

Everything that happens in life is a test.

[Gypsy]

If it would be easier for you write her a letter when you have calmed down and have had time to pray about it.

Then Sit down with your son and explaine about diferent beliefs and that Grandma just believes different from you do. God will help him as his faith growes stronger as to how to deal with grandmas beliefs and maybe he can show her the truth and get her to understand and come to Jesus someday.

That's good advice an I know what I'll have to do. If it weren't for the fact that he was eight, I'd say well I'm not afraid because I know that he is being exposed to the truth at home and the truth will prevail. I can't make his choice for him only do my best to show him the light and eventually he will need to choose to come to Jesus or not. When I study with the JW I'm not afraid, because I've known the love of Jesus in my heart. I know that I'm saved and that the Holy Spirit dwells inside me and guides my thoughts and speech when doing so. But he's 8 and just beginning his walk. Just starting to ask questions about these things. He's so vulnerable.

What does your husband feel and suggest?

I'm not sure I understand. This is Solomon's Porch. I'm the husband. Do you mean what does my wife feel?

Sometimes afeter something like this I get stupid feelings to get even, or say something inappropriate, but after I calm down and pray they go away then I feel like a jurk for thinking something so dumb. Thank God I can laugh about it becasue I did listen to the Holy Spirits advice and do what He wanted me to do wwwhhheeeww!!! I know just intertaining the thought is a sin but sometimes you have a hard time controling those nasty thoughts...Prayer does help!!

Again good advice. Thanks for your post.

It is pretty bad to sneak that kind of garbage to an eight year old though.

Does she know that you are a Christian?

I agree and I don't know. My wife seems to think that this is just her way of expressing concern about whether or not the boy's spiritual needs are being addressed at all. If that's the case then I think the behavior is slightly more palatable, but still not acceptable.

[deetiff]

Ooops I thought Gypsy was a womans name....My Boo Boo.

I think your son will be fine as long as you set a good Christ like example and continue with his Bible education show him the love of Christ. Eventually he will want to bring grandma around because he loves her and doesn't want to see her living without God. I tried to reach both of my parents for years and my daughter is the one who finally got through to them. They loved her so much they actually listened and accepted Jesus Christ.

I was elated and they are both in heaven now....wwwhhheeewww!!!!

I couldn't have done it....They always wanted to argue with me.
I took a honest inocent child.

My prayers will be with all of you in this matter!!!

Deetiff

[Gypsy]

Ooops I thought Gypsy was a womans name....My Boo Boo.

Don't sweat it. I've gotten that before.

I think your son will be fine as long as you set a good Christ like example and continue with his Bible education show him the love of Christ. Eventually he will want to bring grandma around because he loves her and doesn't want to see her living without God.

I think you're right. Really when you think about it, it's the only true witness we have to anyone, our children or otherwise - that is the example we set with our own lives.

I tried to reach both of my parents for years and my daughter is the one who finally got through to them. They loved her so much they actually listened and accepted Jesus Christ.

I was elated and they are both in heaven now....wwwhhheeewww!!!!

I couldn't have done it....They always wanted to argue with me.
I took a honest inocent child.

My prayers will be with all of you in this matter!!!

Deetiff

I've had a similar time with my folks. I guess it's tough to take spiritual direction from someone who's diaper you used to change or to offer witness to someone who has seen every fool thing that you have ever done in your life. I've taken the same approach with my folks as described above - that is to live my life the best Christian way I can and let the effect of that witness for me.

God Bless and thanks for the prayers.