Expert: Brenton Hepburn - 12/1/2005

Question
I have heard that JWs claim to be "spirit directed" but nor "inspired"  What is the difference?

Answer
Hello Paul

What an excellent question! This is not an easy topic for me to answer, and it is one that I am sure would be asked by many people in regard to JWs.

Yes it is true that no member of JW's is inspired.  It is also true that one will find many references to the "Organisation" being "œspirit directed".  Some will see no difference in the two ideas, and will come to the conclusion that to be "spirit directed" is the same as being "inspired by spirit"

Let me try to answer it in one sentence first.  ......  To be "inspired" it to go into new areas or new direction, to be "spirit directed" would be directed into what already is,  spiritual speaking of course.......

To start with I looked up the meaning of the words "inspired" and "directed" using the software I have "Webster's New World Dictionary and Thesaurus"

inspire
vt.
1 orig.,   a) to breathe or blow upon or into b) to infuse (life, etc. into) by breathing
2 to draw (air) into the lungs; inhale
3 to have an animating effect upon; influence or impel; esp., to stimulate or impel to some creative or effective effort
4 to cause, guide, communicate, or motivate as by divine or supernatural influence
5 to arouse or produce (a thought or feeling) !kindness inspires love"
6 to affect with a specified feeling or thought !to inspire someone with fear"
7 to occasion, cause, or produce
8 to prompt, or cause to be written or said, by influence !to inspire a rumor"
vi.
1 to inhale
2 to give inspiration

inspiration
n.

1 a breathing in, as of air into the lungs; inhaling
2 an inspiring or being inspired mentally or emotionally
3 a) an inspiring influence; any stimulus to creative thought or action b) an inspired idea, action, etc.
4 a prompting of something to be written or said
5 Theol. a divine influence upon human beings, as that resulting in the writing of the Scriptures

To get a definition for directed I had look up a couple of words from the root word direct, so first I have direct, directed, direction

direct
adj.

1 by the shortest way, without turning or stopping; not roundabout; not interrupted; straight !a direct route"
2 honest and to the point; straightforward; frank !a direct answer"
3 with nothing or no one between; immediate; close, firsthand, or personal !direct contact, direct knowledge"
4 in an unbroken line of descent; lineal
5 exact; complete; absolute !the direct opposite"
6 in the exact words of the speaker !a direct quotation"
7 not needing a mordant: said of certain dyes
8 by or of action of the people through popular vote instead of through representatives or delegates
9 Astron. from west to east: opposed to RETROGRADE
10 Math. designating or of a relation between variables in which one increases or decreases with the other !a direct proportion": opposed to INVERSE
vt.
1 to manage the affairs, course, or action of; guide; conduct; regulate
2 to order or command with authority
3 to turn or point (a person or thing) toward an object or goal; aim; head
4 to tell (a person) the way to a place
5 to address (words, remarks, etc.) to a specific person or persons, or in a specific direction
6 to write the name and address on (a letter, etc.)
7 a) to plan the action and effects of (a play, motion picture, etc.) and to supervise and instruct (the actors and technicians) in the carrying out of such a plan b) to rehearse and conduct the performance of (a choir, band, etc.)

directed
adj.
indicated either as being positive or negative, as a number or angle, or as having an assigned direction, as a segment or vector

direction
n.
1 the act of directing; management; supervision
2 [usually pl.] instructions for doing, operating, using, preparing, etc.
3 an authoritative order or command
4 the point toward which something faces or the line along which something moves or lies
5 an aspect, line of development, way, trend, etc. !research in new directions"
6 Theater a) the director‘s plan for achieving certain effects, as of acting, lighting, etc. b) the instructions for this to the actors and others
7 Music a) a word, phrase, or sign showing how a note, passage, etc. is to be played b) the work or art of directing a choir, band, etc.

Putting the above meanings to use.

INSPIRATION......

Looking carefully at the definitions above, the Bible writers were guided, motivated and influenced to put into writing thoughts originated by God.  Sometimes this was in a dream, direct communication through Angels or as a recollection of events.  God did not directly take them by the hand and force them to write word for word the information we now have.

When the Bible writers were inspired to write the Bible they went into a new area of relationship between God and man, and at times went into a new direction.  They laid down the information for us to follow.  Sometimes the information is very clear, other times we must look very carefully for signs as to which direction we have to go in.

"Men were born along" to write the Bible, in contrast to men over the years- recording random disjointed events. "Your Word is truth" is a positive definitive statement regarding the Bible  God made sure the accuracy of the Bible. All the contents are specifically needed to compliment the common theme carried throughout the Bible. Since the "spirit" is reference to the invisible force that "actuates" human minds, -or- the same force creating a new star galaxy in this universe, etc., the spirit is not operating indiscriminately. If it is not put into operation to cause there to be a result, it would not be "perating" because it can not operate  its not a person.

Laws and dealings between God and man are very clear and decisive. Most humans can pick up on those. The meaning of prophecy is sometimes easy to see and at other times a very close scrutiny is needed.  Some "doctrines" (truths) are also easy to see and others have to be carefully examined.

By being very studious and observant we can be directed by the signs as to which way to go.

Now let me try to illustrate the matter in modern day words and situations that we can hopefully relate too..

DIRECTED.......

A skilled tracker, tracking an animal, will look very carefully for things the average person will miss. A bent blade of grass, a broken twig, a slight imprint in the earth etc.  So the tracker looks for what is already there and is directed by what he sees. At times he will build on the knowledge he already has on the type of animal being tracked to ascertain which direction to go in. Sometimes even the most skilled tracker can misread the signs and have to backtrack and pick up from the last known good sign.

A spirit directed organization: is an organization that is being directed to accomplishing, or, assure specific results. (The skilled tracker with the goal of finding the prized animal) The accomplishment and specific results that are the aim and focus of JW's is the preaching of the Good News of Gods Kingdom in all the earth to show a vindication of Jehovah's (Gods) name and to prove Satan a liar to taunt that no man would serve God out of love for him. (Job 2:4,5 "4 But Satan answered Jehovah and said: 'Skin in behalf of skin, and everything that a man has he will give in behalf of his soul. 5 For a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch as far as his bone and his flesh [and see] whether he will not curse you to your very face.' " )

One may realize through knowledge and experience or he may hear other plans that seem plausible., thereby making decisions. One purpose the Bible serves is a "crystal display" of God's building plan for the earth.  It is up to us to follow those plans carefully.

In the above, the skilled tracker can be likened to our "governing Body" that was the responsibility of finding the prize.  We follow along with them to enjoy seeing the prize.  The Governing Body has the skills, experience, and background knowledge to lead the way. At times they may lose the track and back track slightly to pick it up again but the ultimate goal is always the same.

Lets try to illustrate all of this

Back in the 1800s train tracks were being laid across vast areas of America and Australia. A commission, and instructions were given to put the tracks between point A and point B.

Spiritually speaking those instructions are in the Bible, inspired by the one giving the commission. The goal that we seek to reach (point B) is life.

The engineers set out to accomplish that task. They are headed into unknown and at times hostile territory.  Along the way they encounter obstacles that they have to overcome.  The instructions provide guidelines as to how to do that. The engineers have to use their knowledge and principles as laid out in the instructions as  to know how to keep the objective of the goal in mind.  Now lets say they encounter a mighty canyon, the size of which they have never uncounted before. They have 4 options. 1) end the line here and not complete the task.  2) decide to go to another destination 3) work out how to build a bridge across the canyon. 4) back track a little and find a way around it.  Option  2 and 3 are feasible and preferred. Building a bridge will mean that the work does not seem to progress for a while as materials and strategies are work out as to how to accomplish the task.  If they  have to back tracked a little and find a new way around the canyon (or other obstacle), can they be said to not be carrying out the prime directive? It may take them slightly of course for a while but they are still headed to the end goal.

When the railway lines were being put down there were helpers besides the engineers that did a vast majority of the work.  They followed the direction of the engineers who were following the directions given by the one that commissioned the work.

That is the way we see things.  The Bible is the inspired instructions for us to go on the journey to life.  The way ahead is not easy or simple ( compare Matt 10:22  "he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved" ;  Luke 13:22,23 "He said to them: 24 'Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able' ")

We must follow the engineers and help them to reach the prime objective. Together we become one organization.

Why is it said that the "organization is spirit directed"?

The instruction manual that we have been given to use (The Bible) is inspired through the holy spirit. By  carefully following the instructions there in we are being led by holy spirit, even when it means that our “outlook,  or expectations of what to expect, or direction we might have to take, at times has to change because of details we could not foresee. Now as long as we keep using the instructions given, (the Bible), as our guide (instead of human reasonings) by carefully tracking the signs, making needed adjustments, then we are being guided by spirit.  


I hope that has helped answer your question

Brenton