Jehovah’s Witnesses who are PIMO—Physically In Mentally Out—have serious doubts about Watchtower doctrine and practices.

This may be because of encounters with Christians or other non-Witnesses or former Witnesses, or because of their own thinking, studying, and experiences.

But in spite of that, they stay involved in the religion, at least to some degree.

Why?

Some are looking for a way to escape the Watchtower, but they don’t know how to go about it or they feel that the timing is not quite right. Others have resigned themselves to staying in so as not to be shunned (treated as dead) by Witness friends and family.

As we try to get through to we have several advantages:

  1. They already see problems with the Watchtower.

This is a definite plus because ordinarily it is next to impossible to get Witnesses to acknowledge and face specific problems with Watchtower doctrines or practices.

  1. You may be able to build relational bridges with them.

Many PIMO Witnesses feel that no one understands them.

Obviously, they can’t express their struggles to active Witnesses, and most outsiders have no idea what they have gone through or are going through now.

You may be the only person they can safely confide in.

  1. If you earn their trust, they may explain why they want to get out of the Watchtower and why they feel they can’t.

 You may be able to help them deal with their emotional struggles in this regard.

This, in turn, may help you in sharing the gospel with them and in leading them to saving faith in Jesus.

  1. You may be able to share with them from the Bible.

Often, the key will be showing them that they can trust you to keep their struggles and doubts confidential.

In dealing with Physically In Mentally Out Jehovah’s Witness, we also face a number of challenges:

  1. It’s hard to identify them.

If you encounter them at your doorstep, literature cart, or Kingdom Hall, there will be other Witnesses around, so they won’t feel free to tell you they have doubts about the Watchtower’s teachings or practices.

Even if you are alone with them, they don’t know if they can confide in you.

Sometimes it helps to share your own struggles in this regard such as times when you wanted to tell friends or loved ones that you disagreed with their religious convictions but feared losing their love and friendship.

  1. They aren’t going to tip their hand when another Witness is present.

 Try taking them aside at some point and tell them you would be more comfortable meeting with them one-on-one.

Please note that if they are of the opposite sex from you, you will need to connect them with someone of their own gender.

  1. They have learned to be very guarded.

Take things slowly and have patience.

It can take a long time to earn their trust.

  1. They may still think that all other religions are worse than the Watchtower.

The Watchtower indoctrinates Jehovah’s Witnesses in the belief that all other religions are false and satanic.

Even after a Jehovah’s Witnesses realizes the Watchtower is not “the truth,” this indoctrination may stay with them.

Encourage them to discuss this with you openly.

Help them work through this indoctrination rather than arguing with them.

  1. They may not see a viable way out of the Watchtower.

 You need to understand that leaving the Watchtower would burn a lot of bridges for them.

They might well be completely rejected and shunned by all of their family and friends.

Allow them to express these fears to you and be empathetic.

Pray for wisdom to help them work through these risks and to find fellowship and purpose in Christ alone.

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