Can I have a witness?

Depleted · Nov 7, 2017

When I was young and dumb, Christians told me to live my life as a testimony. I can't go back in time and ask them what they meant by that, but I took it to mean "be nice," because Christians are to be nice. At work, I was usually nice. (Believe it or not, I'm usually nice by default.) When I wasn't being nice, it wasn't even that I was being mean. I was being frantic. A deadline was approaching fast, and I wasn't sure I could get the work done in time, and being nice, I always wanted the work done on time and done well. I did get the part where whatever I did was for God, so I really did work by that guideline.

Well, 20+ years later, on my last day working for someone else, one of my co-workers, (also a nice guy), wore a Christian T-shirt, and I smiled and told him I never knew he was a Christian, and I was one too. And we both had a chuckle because we both knew the other was nice, but didn't know he/she was Christian too. We knew each other for several years by then. That about summed up 20+ years of having my life as a testimony.

I just read Spurgeon's devotional and learned this is what witnessing is supposed to look like.

Now when future hubby first became a believer, (I didn't know him back then), he took it seriously, and witnessed to all the customers that day. Little problem developed. He too was young and dumb, so he spent hours witnessing to customers instead of doing what he was supposed to be doing -- giving them heat! He was a heating mechanic. What would you do if you had a heating mechanic coming into your house to give you heat, but, instead, gave you a one-hour sermon on the glory of God? So, when he returned back to the company at the end of the day, he was fired. (That night, he repented, and asked forgiveness of his boss the next day, when he was returning the company's tools. The boss was so impressed, he hired him again with full understanding he's a heating mechanic, not an evangelist.)

So, obviously, not good to preach at work and being nice doesn't work. What are we supposed to do?

This isn't just about work. This is also about our politics, waiting for a bus, doctor's appointments, or spending time with family, friends, or strangers. I'm asking for practical advice. And I'm asking how you struggle with this, not how everyone else should do it, nor 3-20 other verses that say the same thing.

Stunnedbygrace · Nov 7, 2017

Is everyone an evangelist?
I'm asking because I really don't know.
If everyone was supposed to clearly and visibly and outwardly be one, no one would ever get asked:why are you always so calm? Why aren't you losing it and freaking out over this? Why are you always so hopeful?

I mean, those questions wouldn't be asked because an evangelist would be visibly and outwardly preaching...the person wouldn't think to ask those questions of an evangelist. But of a very calm simple person, he would ask because he would be perplexed by their calmness and cheerfulness, etc.

nddreamer · Nov 7, 2017

I agree with Stunned. If you are it, walk it, and let them come to you and ask why.

Grandpa · Nov 7, 2017

I wear a cross and several different christian shirts to work.

I talk about the cross, God and the Lord Jesus Christ if someone brings it up but very rarely do I bring the subject up. And also it is very rare for someone else to bring it up. People seem pretty scared to talk about it...When you find someone who wants to talk about God, they are already Christian, but its really uplifting.

Usually I am working and not conscious of the cross or my shirt.

Recently I had someone tell me that they could tell I was Christian but couldn't tell if I was a Jehovahs Witness or not. I said was it because of the cross I wear? They said no. I said was it because I am more at peace than other people? He said no. I said are you a Jehovahs Witness? He said no. I said how could you tell I was Christian? He said it was a certain spiritual energy that I give off...

What???

There is also an atheist that I work with. He was going to get a tattoo of a phrase that Abraham Lincoln said. I laughed and asked him if he knew who Abraham Lincoln was quoting. He said no. I said The Lord Jesus Christ. He said I better not get that tattoo then...

Looking back I should have not said anything.... But I can't help it. Any segway into talking about the Lord I pretty much get excited about...

nddreamer · Nov 7, 2017

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.

SovereignGrace · Nov 7, 2017

Grandpa said:

I wear a necklace with a scripture reference and also a bracelet and wear christian shirts a lot. I pray that ppl can see I am His w/o having them on. My wife calls me 'jewelry Jake'.

True story. Back in 2013, an elderly lady who attended my father-in-law's church, was as the point of death. She was in the hospital I work at. I left early for work one night to go visit her and her family. We talked and had prayer. After she passed, I went one evening to the funeral home to visit and one of the men there was at the hospital the night we had prayer. He's a preacher and told me I got paid one of the greatest complements a christian could ever get. When I asked him what he meant, he told me after I left the hospital room, one of her grandsons said they didn't have to be around me very long to know I was a christian. I almost lost it right there.

My life is not mine anymore. Its His. All I want to do is serve Him, worship Him, praise Him, adore Him, to be with Him when my life ends. That's why I loathe my flesh.

stonesoffire · Nov 7, 2017

Am not out so much anymore, when I would get engaged in conversation I would pray for an opening to witness. And I have experienced being in a hospital and being led to one room. The Lord sets up meetings more than we realize, I think.

Scripture says we all have the ministry of reconciliation. But, not all are Evangelists. That's an office.

notmyown · Nov 7, 2017

Grandpa said:

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.

And who is adequate for these things? (2 Cor 2:14-16)

Muzungu256 · Nov 7, 2017

got scripture tatted everywhere......... thats how it is u see....... tattoos include psalms and NT quotes and a big cross
obviously being nice and helping people is a good testimony too... especially if u were living like the devil a while ago then God saved u and now u are completely different, thats wonderful to testify u see

notmyown · Nov 7, 2017

we're all His witnesses, and i love it that He just said, "You will be my witnesses..."
He didn't make a request or a plea; He said it would be so.

evangelists are a subset of witnesses, no? though at times, we all fall there, too.

if someone knows i am a Christian, i am a witness, though it's possible for me to be a poor witness.

()
so at work, do the job faithfully, and at home, do the job faithfully, as unto the Lord.
the fruit of the Spirit shows because God is faithful. serve in love, and people will ask!

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Eph 5:1-2)

i seem to be on an aroma kick. lol

Tinuviel · Nov 7, 2017

Work heartily "as to the Lord," and if the opportunity comes for you to witness, don't shirk! I once heard a pastor say that we should always witness with our hands, and pray for opportunities to witness with our mouths. And after we've prayed, expect them to come at the worst possible moment

. And do it anyway. I'm remembering a Bible verse where it tells us to "always be ready" with an answer for the joy that is within us. That's how I see it. Obviously, it's not working to preach sermons instead of fixing heaters! But when you've been witnessing with your hands and praying for opportunities to witness with your mouth, you'll get them. (Oh, and if you're as slow on the uptake as I am, you may want to also pray that you would SEE the opportunities when they come

)

pottersclay · Nov 7, 2017

What gave Peter away when he denied being with christ.? What were the people astounded about with Jesus? How did mary recognise Jesus in the garden.

Your speech should give you away. How you respond to different things and why you respond the way you do can open so many doors.
Ever hear the saying "knock on wood" or "keep your fingers crossed" ? Is that what were suppose to do? Or are we to pray? Just a little example.

Are we supposed to sit at the camps and give our opinions about our nation's leaders or are we to pray for our leaders and go about our fathers business.

What do we do when we hear rumors. What do we say when offended. Sharing the gospel is more than quoting scripture. It's that act of kindness, that thoughtful deed or word. It's being that peculiar person God enables us to be.
I hope I'm not the only person that struggles with this but if so keep me in your prayers.
Sometimes we are the only gospel people will ever see.

Enow · Nov 7, 2017

Depleted said:

I think it is a matter of faith in trusting the Lord to lead in any given situation, because there are times when people are just not seeking, but somewhere else, someone else is. Case in point.

Act 16:Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia,[SUP] 7 [/SUP]After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.[SUP] 8 [/SUP]And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas.[SUP]9 [/SUP]And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.[SUP]10 [/SUP]And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Jesus gave this guideline:

Matthew 7:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.[SUP] 7 [/SUP]Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:[SUP] 8 [/SUP]For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

So I believe it is a matter of trusting Him to lead us and provide the opportunity for which He would have the seekers come to us in asking us of our hope in Him.

1 Peter 3:[SUP]15 [/SUP]But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Sometimes wearing a cross or a silent giving of thanks for the meal can be a witness to others that you are a believer so that they can come up to you and ask you of your hope in Him. As you have just shared, being nice doesn't really bear witness that we are christians, but when others know that we are christians, being nice helps in our witness to others.

stillness · Nov 7, 2017

I should put my 2 cents as well: Praying for direction almost 2 years ago heard: Do the work of an evangelist, this surprised me, the 2 next words did not surprise me: Fear not I Am with you, and: Pray for the anointing.
My witness still has not been very effective, only encouragement to few. The key is in the last word: Pray for the anointing, so that it's not about my witness but about the Holy Spirit touching people, and implies being carried by the Spirit, in the example of Jesus, led by the Spirit in the wilderness (Where life does not make sense). Not necessarily a literal wilderness in the forest or desert in the land but a place alone with God. To fulfil a word He told me 12 years ago already: Enter in as a little child and put away your divided spirit. About entering the Father's house, to live in the relationship of Jesus in constant fellowship with the Father: the will left as our inheritance: the simplicity of Christ, to enter into rest in God. We also tend to overlook the obvious thinking His will to be grandiose, when the best description of His will and my favorite verse is: Rejoice in all circumstances, continue in prayer and in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. This explains how to fulfil what my favorite verse used to be: "They that wait on the Lord shall renew strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagle, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."
We are not effective because we run ahead of the Lord taking things in our hands as if we could do anything.
"I can do nothing od Myself but what I see the Father doing."

Dino246 · Nov 7, 2017

"I need a witness"

Depleted said:

Lynn, what you need is an alibi.

Depleted · Nov 7, 2017

Stunnedbygrace said:

If I'm supposed to be an evangelist, I've utterly, totally, completely screwed up. I can't even evangelize when I'm trying to evangelize.

I'm more of an (amateur) apologetic and helper. Helper! The gift I was given even before becoming a believer. So, I tend to like to do stuff no one else wants to do (anything from doing dishes, to filing paperwork, paying bills, feeding a baby at 2 and 4 AM, cleaning messes, and making someone laugh at the end of a tough day.)

The problem is most people just see that as I'm nice. (I really do get how funny that sounds to people, but this site doesn't need dusting or dirty dishes cleaned, so no one sees me in normal life doing that. They see me arguing in my apologetic clothes. lol) How do I bring up the gospel while helping a woman figure out where a blood testing lab is, or when I thank a bus driver for being the first person to literally bus me to the place to vote? (Both of those things happened to me today. lol) The best I can think is to say something cheesy like "Praise God," but so many say that now, it lost all meaning.

Seems to me, Jesus would have fit something of the gospel in no matter what he was doing. I mean the man was grilling fish for Peter and the gang, while encouraging Pete that he didn't lose his salvation for denying him. He really did witness while cooking. I'd love to do it that way, but literally don't know how.

Depleted · Nov 7, 2017

nddreamer said:

45 years as a believer, and no one has ever asked why.

Have you ever asked anyone why they're so nice/calm/caring or any other good quality? Sometimes I have been told "You're ____ (good quality)," but no one has ever asked why. Most people accept a person's good and bad traits as that's how the person is.

Depleted · Nov 7, 2017

Grandpa said:

I wear a cross and several different christian shirts to work.

I talk about the cross, God and the Lord Jesus Christ if someone brings it up but very rarely do I bring the subject up. And also it is very rare for someone else to bring it up. People seem pretty scared to talk about it...When you find someone who wants to talk about God, they are already Christian, but its really uplifting.

Usually I am working and not conscious of the cross or my shirt.

Recently I had someone tell me that they could tell I was Christian but couldn't tell if I was a Jehovahs Witness or not. I said was it because of the cross I wear? They said no. I said was it because I am more at peace than other people? He said no. I said are you a Jehovahs Witness? He said no. I said how could you tell I was Christian? He said it was a certain spiritual energy that I give off...

What???

There is also an atheist that I work with. He was going to get a tattoo of a phrase that Abraham Lincoln said. I laughed and asked him if he knew who Abraham Lincoln was quoting. He said no. I said The Lord Jesus Christ. He said I better not get that tattoo then...

Looking back I should have not said anything.... But I can't help it. Any segway into talking about the Lord I pretty much get excited about...

When bosses or co-workers that aren't Christians found out I was, they saw that as an opportunity to tell me every offensive joke against the Lord they could come up with. I've heard them all, so they didn't get a shocked or offended reaction, but when I tried to turn it around to really talk about him, I got

Depleted · Nov 7, 2017

SovereignGrace said:

I wear a necklace with a scripture reference and also a bracelet and wear christian shirts a lot. I pray that ppl can see I am His w/o having them on. My wife calls me 'jewelry Jake'.

True story. Back in 2013, an elderly lady who attended my father-in-law's church, was as the point of death. She was in the hospital I work at. I left early for work one night to go visit her and her family. We talked and had prayer. After she passed, I went one evening to the funeral home to visit and one of the men there was at the hospital the night we had prayer. He's a preacher and told me I got paid one of the greatest complements a christian could ever get. When I asked him what he meant, he told me after I left the hospital room, one of her grandsons said they didn't have to be around me very long to know I was a christian. I almost lost it right there.

My life is not mine anymore. Its His. All I want to do is serve Him, worship Him, praise Him, adore Him, to be with Him when my life ends. That's why I loathe my flesh.

Wait! Hillbillies wear jewelry?

(It had to be asked. lol)

Depleted · Nov 7, 2017

Muzungu256 said:

And Jamaicans get tats!

The shocking stuff I learn on this site!

LOL (Just kidding with you.)

Can I have a witness?

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