Question for Jehovah Witnesses ONLY.?

Question

I have been studying for about a year. I want to become bapized at our next district convention, which will be held in June. However, sometimes I don't feel as if I'm ready. I love Jehovah and want to dedicate my life to him however I feel as if I'm too imperfect. I got into an argument with my husband last week and cursed him out. I felt very discouraged after that. I haven't done something like that in a while - since I've been taking the truth seriously. (Which has only been the last 5 or 6 months. As a matter of fact my husband started a study when he saw the changes in me) I also feel like I'm not vocal enough. I don't hang out with my co-workers anymore nor join in the foul jokes we used to tell. But at the same time I haven't exactly told them why. Question is: How did you know you were ready to be baptized? I feel like the "birdcatcher" is getting me by using fear of men. I will build my faith but prayer and study, but just wanted to know if any of you had similar obstacles

EDIT: Thank you so much bros & sisters for your encouraging comments. And onegammyleg you're right - they are haters. They don't understand how we can love each other so deeply just because we're related in the faith. I'm going to Bahamas in a few weeks. I've already looked up where the kingdom hall is. I can' t wait to meet my "island" family! Thank you all so much for your examples of imperfection. And grnlow you really touched my heart. I am also shy at times. But I love Jehovah. And I know he'll be with me as long as I remain in his love.
He's changed my life SO much. I think of all the trouble I could have avoided if I would have loved him before. I've had the "fun" as described but that one guy below. No thank you! My baptism will be the happiest day of my life!

Answer 1

No one can tell you when you are ready but you. Also no one even after baptism for decades will promise you will be perfect. None of the rest of us are. You will not be either. I still throw things, get mad, all those things.

I have found surprisingly, the best witness I can give is just my conduct. Proof of this is your husband. He has listened to you for years. It was your conduct that changed him. Ask him. It can be the same with your coworkers. The right heart condition will prompt them to ask.

I am naturally, incredibly shy. It is only with Jehovah's spirit that I speak anyway. Don't worry much about it. Just continue to study to have something to say once Jehovah's spirit gives you the voice.

What is baptism but the open declaration of your commitment to serving Jehovah? That is bigger than talking. It is doing. When you are ready is something you will decide yourself.

Answer 2

No one is perfect. Tell your husband your sorry and keep working on controlling your temper. We all have weaknesses to work on. It is a constant fight. I know when I'm PMSing, I have trouble controlling my tongue...something I have to continually work on and I've been baptized for 29 years.

No one can say when you are ready for baptism except you. Just keep studying and praying on the matter, and rely on Jehovah.

Sometimes at work it is hard to talk about the truth, but if a subject comes up that you can give a witness, you may want to take that opportunity to share what you are learning. I'm sure your co-workers will better understand why your not sharing in the foul jokes or spending as much time with them, if you tell them you are studying the Bible.

Keep up the good work and don't get discouraged.

Answer 3

We all feel that way. Just remember none of us is perfect. We get baptized because we want to put on that new personality and be approved by Jehovah. Each day we all sin. But each day we ask for forgiveness.
You want a good relationship with God and a clean heart. Getting baptized is the outward sign that you want to belong to and worship The Only True God.
Baptism is only the start of a life filled with trying to be holy as God is holy.
Don't let discouragement win. Stand up and be counted sister for you have already made your wishes known by dedicating your life in your heart. You want to serve Our Father.

Answer 4

Satan knows that you are considering baptism and will do whatever he can to make you feel like you shouldn't. He will even make you curse your husband out. I know I didn't feel like Jehovah would want me baptized because I felt like such a terrible person. All I can say is pray to Jehovah and ask him to help you and if you feel like you are ready for baptism, go over the questions with he elders and they will be able to examine you and see if you are ready. But if you don't feel ready, Jehovah knows your heart condition.

Answer 5

Jehovah God wanted us to use his name. Matthew 6:9, Jesus told us that we should pray: "Our Father in the heavens, let your NAME be SANCTIFIED." Also Isaiah 43:10 also brings out that Jehovah said, "You are my WITNESSES." God is a Title. Even with Arabs. A good dictionary will show you, “Allah” is a shortened form of the Arabic term meaning “the god", this is not a name. The title “God” is neither personal nor distinctive. In the Hebrew Scriptures the same word (ʼElo‧him′) is applied to Jehovah, the true God, and also to false gods. The Imperial Bible-Dictionary says: “It is everywhere a proper name, denoting the personal God and him only; whereas Elohim partakes more of the character of a common noun, denoting usually, indeed, but not necessarily nor uniformly, the Supreme. . . . The Hebrew may say the Elohim, the true God, in opposition to all false gods; but he never says the Jehovah, for Jehovah is the name of the true God only. He says again and again my God . . . ; but never my Jehovah, for when he says my God, he means Jehovah. He speaks of the God of Israel, but never of the Jehovah of Israel, for there is no other Jehovah. He speaks of the living God, but never of the living Jehovah, for he cannot conceive of Jehovah as other than living.” Hope This Helps

Answer 6

It is normal and appropriate to be cautious of such a big step in ones life , and recognizing that you are imperfect is normal.
In fact , thinking that we cannot fail can lead to a fall , as the haters in here have proved by their dead end life course.

Romans 12:3 . . .''For through the undeserved kindness given to me I tell everyone there among YOU not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think; but to think so as to have a sound mind, each one as God has distributed to him a measure of faith.''

We all make mistakes and fall short of what is required of us , but remember , Jehovah doesn't expect perfection , just the sincere attempt to follow him correctly.

Your decision to get baptized is yours alone , think about it carefully with prayer and study.

It is one decision that I personally have never regretted for even a second.

But be sure of this -- Obstacles will come and go , but the truth about what you are learning from the Bible will remain forever.

Answer 7

Repentance is vital, take it to jehovah through prayer. And make changes!

Remember:
The Prodigal Comes to His Senses
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many hired men of my father are abounding with bread, while I am perishing here from famine! I will rise and journey to my father and say to him: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Make me as one of your hired men.”’ So he rose and went to his father.”—Luke 15:17-20.
The prodigal “came to his senses.” He is aware of his true spiritual condition. Yes, even though he had fallen, there was still hope for this young man. Something good could be found in him. (Proverbs 24:16; compare 2 Chronicles 19:2, 3.) Would it be reasonable to conclude that you or anyone of us is beyond hope. So many of us are tormented by our course yet many of us come to our senses. “I never, even for one day, forgot about Jehovah,” says one sister, reflecting on the time she spent away from God’s organization. “I always prayed that somehow, someday, he would accept me back to the truth.”—Psalm 119:176.

Prodigal Son - Luke 15:20-24.

Any loving parent would long for the spiritual recovery of a child. Hence, we can just imagine the father of the prodigal gazing each day down the path in front of his house, anxiously hoping for his son’s return. Now he catches sight of his son coming up the path! The lad’s appearance was undoubtedly altered. Still, the father recognizes him while he is “yet a long way off.” He sees beyond the tattered clothing and the dejected spirit; he sees his son, and he runs to meet him!
When the father reached his son, he fell upon his son’s neck and tenderly kissed him. Then he commanded his slaves to provide his son with a robe, a ring, and sandals. This robe was not merely a simple article of clothing, but “the best one”—perhaps a richly embroidered vestment of the sort presented to an honored guest. Since a ring and sandals were not usually seen on slaves, the father was making it clear that his son was being welcomed back as a full-fledged family member. But the father did still more. He ordered a feast to celebrate the return of his son. Clearly, this man was not forgiving his son begrudgingly or simply because the return of his son made it obligatory; he wanted to extend forgiveness. It made him rejoice.

Thus far, what does the parable of the prodigal son teach us about the God whom we are privileged to worship? First, that Jehovah is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6) Indeed, mercy is a salient quality of God. It is his normal way of reacting toward those in need. Then, Jesus’ parable teaches us that Jehovah is “ready to forgive.” (Psalm 86:5) He is on the lookout, as it were, to observe any change of heart on the part of sinful humans that would provide a basis for him to extend mercy.—2 Chronicles 12:12; 16:9

Answer 8

don't feel bad. we are all imperfect and lose our temper sometimes. pray to Jehovah threw Jesus Christ and they will help you. Jehovah is happy that you are studying but he will not push you into getting baptized. I am sure your husband understands. people on here will slander us because they don''t know anything about us or the ones who turned there back on Jehovah have a lot of hate. please don't listen to them. talk to the one who you are studying with and tell her how you feel or talk with the elders. they would be glad to talk with you. I have been baptized since 1990 and sometimes I lose my temper or say things that I should not say. Jehovah understands us better then we understand ourselves

Answer 9

“LOOK! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?” That question was asked by an Ethiopian court official in the first century. A Christian named Philip had proved to him that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Touched to the heart by what he had learned from the Scriptures, the Ethiopian man took action. He showed that he wanted to be baptized!—Acts 8:26-36.

If you have carefully studied the Bible with one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you may feel ready to ask, ‘What prevents me from getting baptized?’ By now you have learned about the Bible’s promise of everlasting life in Paradise. (Luke 23:43; Revelation 21:3, 4) You have also learned about the true condition of the dead and the resurrection hope. (Ecclesiastes 9:5; John 5:28, 29) You have probably been associating with Jehovah’s Witnesses at their congregation meetings and have seen for yourself how they practice the true religion. (John 13:35) Most important, you have likely begun to develop a personal relationship with Jehovah God.

3 How can you show that you want to serve God? Jesus told his followers: “Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them.” (Matthew 28:19) Jesus himself set the example by being baptized in water. He was not sprinkled with water, and he did not just have some water poured over his head. (Matthew 3:16.) The word “baptize” comes from a Greek term meaning “dip.” Christian baptism therefore means being fully dipped, or immersed, in water.
Water baptism is a requirement for all who want to have a relationship with Jehovah God. Baptism publicly indicates your desire to serve God. It shows that you are delighted to do Jehovah’s will. (Psalm 40:7, 8.)

OVERCOMING FEAR OF FAILURE -

Some hold back from making a dedication to Jehovah because they are somewhat afraid of taking such a serious step. They may fear being accountable to God as a dedicated Christian. Being afraid that they may fail and disappoint Jehovah, they think that it is best not to make a dedication to him.

18 As you learn to love Jehovah, you will be moved to make a dedication to him and to do your best to live up to it. (Ecclesiastes 5:4) After making a dedication, surely you will want to “walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him.” (Colossians 1:10.) Because of your love for God, you will not think it is too hard to do his will. No doubt you will agree with the apostle John, who wrote: “This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.”—1 John 5:3.

You do not have to be perfect to make a dedication to God. Jehovah knows your limitations and never expects you to do more than you are able to do. (Psalm 103:14) He wants you to succeed and will support and help you. (Isaiah 41:10.) You can be sure that if you trust in Jehovah with all your heart, he “will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:5, 6.

"bh" book - Chapter 18: p. 180-183.



May Jehovah bless your decision to serve him in love - by relying on Jehovah in prayer.

Christian love -

Mr. Cal

Answer 10

I think perhaps you are doing yourself a disservice by restricting your question this way. Many of us have struggled with these types of issues; it is not restricted to one denomination alone.