Tag Archive for: Gospel

Knocking Down the Obstacles to Sharing

Very few people jump into evangelism of any type without some concern or trepidation. This is natural and the enemy wants to amplify those things to keep us from sharing the Good News. There can be many reasons why believers do not engage in evangelism, but they typically fall into four general areas:

  • We are fearful                                                                                               
  • We lack faith
  • We lack obedience
  • We lack knowledge

Fear often comes because we don’t believe we know what to do. We may be afraid to talk with someone we respect or love. We want to avoid looking foolish or offending someone. We may have even tried it, and it ended poorly so we give up for fear of becoming known as “that guy”.  We allow fear to cause us to forget that all we do in this arena is guided by the spirit and done in his strength.

Another inhibitor to sharing is a lack of faith in our abilities to “close the deal” or lead someone to Jesus. We aren’t sure we can get someone to believe, especially if they have a strong personality, so we skip it. This is wrong for numerous reasons. First, and most importantly, God brings about salvation and not us. Secondly, we are not measured on the results, but instead by the faithfulness of our effort. We should think of ourselves as His instrument and not the determining factor.

Yet another reason some do not share their faith is because they do not take the Lord’s command to go and make disciples seriously. Matthew 28:18-20 states: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Scripture is clear yet we think it is best left for others.

The last common challenge is because we feel like we lack the knowledge to share the Gospel and we don’t know enough about the Bible or God. Those types of excuses create an unwinnable equation where you will never be ready. No one knows God completely or has all the answers. We trust the Holy Spirit to lead each conversation in truth and love. And remember that a question you can’t answer is an opportunity to look together in scripture for the answer.

Your journey and experience are your account of how God has worked in your life. There is no argument or debate about this. It likely has hard moments and failures as part of it. When you combine the truth of God’s Word with your own testimony it makes a compelling story that God can use. He redeemed us from brokenness so we can encourage others with similar struggles and stories. The Gospel message is one of grace and undeserved love that offers forgiveness. It need not be intimidating, complicated or overly difficult. Don’t let the lies of the enemy keep you from sharing the best news ever.

When Helping Hurts

Have you ever shared something you thought would generate a huge response and the message fell completely flat?

It is often not the news itself that is the problem but how it is delivered or absorbed by the audience.

The desire to share the Gospel is good and reflects a heart for other people. However, how you do that is not the same for every person you meet. Some have less than positive personal experiences with church, religion or faith that influence how they will hear your message.  Others have no exposure or understanding of God, Jesus, or the Bible.

Different cultures around the world operate on different core emotions. Justice, guilt, and punishment can frame one person’s view. Another may have shame and fear clouding the lens they hear the Good News through. Using the wrong approach can leave someone feeling more confused and broken.

How we meet each person will affect their openness, interest, and desire for what we want to share.

Digital evangelism invites people to come with questions and have a conversation. Some Responders are so excited about the chance to share what they know, and how Jesus has saved them, that they forget the other person may have their own life issues or agenda of things they wish to discuss.  Others are so focused on being a good listener that they forget to transition the conversation and ask where Jesus fits in this person’s life.

Both examples are filled with good intentions, but each misses the need to balance good listening with the ultimate message of hope.  Every conversation is a God-ordained opportunity to share how Jesus changes everything. We must allow the Holy Spirit to guide each interaction, so we strike the right blend of listening, offering grace, and sharing God’s truth.

Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead each of your conversations and supply the right combination of listening and God’s love so each person receives it in the context that will move their heart and change their life.

The Language of Grace

The words we choose matter. This is especially true at a time where more communication is taking place digitally and without the benefit of looking at or hearing the people we are having conversations with.

We live in times where the truth of God’s Word is more frequently seen as narrow-minded, bigoted, or even hateful. It can be difficult to have conversations about sinful behavior or beliefs when someone is not open to God’s love and His way being best for us.  For some, they are even hoping to hear words of shame or condemnation so they can walk away thinking we are unloving and judgmental.

This means we each wield extraordinary power in the language we use to meet those seeking answers. It is easy to fall into the trap of speaking truth but doing it so bluntly and legalistically that it leaves someone discouraged and uninterested in our message.  However, we can fill others with life, hope, and peace when we are intentional with our words and speak blessing and encouragement into their lives.

Our goal should always be to express truth and love in gentleness as Christ did. We see in Luke 4 that people marveled at the gracious words spoken by Jesus. We see in scripture that gracious speech has several qualities. It lacks harshness, grumbling and sarcasm.  Gracious speech is filled with compassion and kindness. It is sensitive, thoughtful, and loving without compromising truth.

So many that come online are lost and without hope. We have an opportunity to speak life into their hopelessness. Focus on God’s love, forgiveness, and patience with us as broken sinners.

We should all follow Paul’s call.  Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them. Let your conversation be gracious as well as sensible, for then you will have the right answer for everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 (TLB)

We encourage you to seek God’s help in doing this and finding just the right words of hope, wisdom, and truth in each conversation.  Emphasize that God has a perfect design and better plan for how we live.  We want to reveal His true nature of love and compassion and we can do this lovingly while at the same time not condoning sinful behavior, poor choices, or mistaken beliefs. 

Every conversation is an opportunity to speak words of life. May you lean into God to help you share just the right words of forgiveness, grace, wisdom, and truth in each of your interactions.

Welcome to The Digital Witness

For 25 years, Need Him ministry has been on the front lines of culture meeting people in their struggles and offering a safe place to talk about Jesus. Offering this type of anonymous outlet encourages people to be honest and transparent. It also provides believers with a safe and low risk way to volunteer and […]

Read more

© Copyright 2024