It can be hard to evangelize...

[Jesus4ever]

Hi, dear brothers and sisters!

I´m not that experienced evangelizing, but every time I have the opportunity to talk about Jesus I do it! And I love doing it! Sometimes I guess I was able to give the message and make some colleagues and friends to think about our Lord and get closer to Him. I´ve bought several Bibles and christian books to offer to people that really need our dear Lord Jesus.

However, sometimes it can be hard to evangelize. So, yesterday, I was with a couple of great friends and with the mother of my female friend. The one that is "closer" to Him is her (my female friend), considering herself as the usual "non practicing catholic". My male friend is close being atheist and my female friend´s mom had a catholic education but simply chose to step way from religion. Anyway, the conversation was overall good, but when one started to speak about abortion, why people suffer so much, why there are children severely disabled, things became complicated. They simply could not understand why I was saying I was against abortion (in any circumstance, even why women are raped and why the fetus/baby has physical problems or will be severely disabled). Both of them (my female friend and her mother) were in fact shocked with my opinion that only God can give and/or take life!

Then the usual thing saying "I can be an atheist and still have many values and be a very good person with good deeds, so why is Jesus needed?" Questions like: "If God told "Thou shall not kill", why is so many violence in the Old Testament, and why authority forces kill, then?" I explained the best I could, with Biblical support, but still I guess they were not convinced. And of course, once again the conversation ended up with me hearing: "You´re fundamentalist." I´m ok with that, I have no problems regarding what other think of me, because all I want is to speak about God´s Word and will.

I guess this the way, again, for the Lord telling me I have to be much stronger in Him, wiser and know His word much better, in order to be more "efficient" in future situations like these...! May He help me spreading His divide Word!!


God bless you!

 

[atwhatcost]

Actually, knowing more of the word doesn't often help with evangelizing. After all, most people who hate God have the simplest of excuses on their list. Think about it. Of all the malarkey they gave you was any of it different from the same old malarkey?

If you want to be more efficient, remember Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. I've got to admit, memorizing the Bible helps in that case, but I'm lousy at memorizing -- anything. (Can't even memorize my own licence plate and I've had this car since the mid 90's. lol) So I remember where. Key scriptures and where they fit in the overall basic/inept arguments.

You've been handed the arguments. Now find out what the scripture says, so you can fire back the Word of God. Because, remember, it's his word, not ours that count. He'll land them right where he wants them. But they are seeds. We may or may not see the seeds sprout. In your case you might, since the four people you were talking to were friends and family. It's still all God, not us. We're just the PA System.

BTW, learning more of the Bible doesn't help unbelievers. It helps believers, so I'm not saying we shouldn't learn more. We just don't necessarily need to know more to evangelize. Then again, if you don't know how to call them on their malarkey, it's a great exercise in studying the Word to learn. I've just gotten to the point of seeing answers throughout the Bible. When I started, I was more confined to knowing only the NT and the major books there.

 

[Joidevivre]

I found that the best way to evangelize is to just share my own experiences with Christ - how He answered some prayers, what He is teaching me, etc. People want what you seem to have. Especially when you show peace in the midst of turmoil in your life. Only Christ living in you can bring all that.

Most of their questions will only be answered as they receive Christ and have the Holy Spirit indwelling them leading them into understanding of scriptures. You just can't do that - He is the One who leads into all truth.

I simply might ask if they would like to have a relationship with Christ, and then lead them into a prayer to begin this relationship. Because it is from this relationship, that their faith and knowledge of God will grow.

 

[Jesus4ever]

I must confess that I feel a bit disappointed with myself with the situations like these, that is, feeling the outcome was not as good as supposed to be...!

Thank you for your advises, sisters. I´ll continue praying for His help.


God bless you!

 

[atwhatcost]

I must confess that I feel a bit disappointed with myself with the situations like these, that is, feeling the outcome was not as good as supposed to be...!

Thank you for your advises, sisters. I´ll continue praying for His help.


God bless you!

Did you give one thing of God's word? Then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. He doesn't say, "Faith comes immediately by hearing." He doesn't say, "Faith always comes." He does work it all out. He does, even when we bumble along. Why be disappointed? You did what God asked you to do. Pretty cool!

 

[Jesus4ever]

Did you give one thing of God's word? Then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. He doesn't say, "Faith comes immediately by hearing." He doesn't say, "Faith always comes." He does work it all out. He does, even when we bumble along. Why be disappointed? You did what God asked you to do. Pretty cool!

Thank you for you words, sister! You´re right. Thank you!

 

[Angela53510]

I think you have to be glad that you obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit and shared your faith with these atheists. Atheists don't repent and believe with one presentation of the gospel. Because they do believe a lot of lies, that society and the educational system has taught them. So lots and lots of seed planting and so forth.

There is a whole field of study called "Apologetics" This doesn't mean "apologies" but rather "defense." As in "Defense of the Faith."

There are hundreds of books written on this topic, including the Problem of Suffering and Evil, which it seems like these people were using against you.

You might want to try googling it, and reading up on it, in case you are ever in this position of trying to share the gospel with non-believers.

As for sharing your testimony, there really is nothing they can say against it. And remember,

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

You can never go wrong when you quote the Word of God. Because it will have an effect, even if we don't see it come to pass.

 

[Eva1218]

It is important to share with others GOD's Word. When you are having such a conversation always seek GOD regarding HIS Word. So Pray and ask GOD to speak through you in order to bring clarity to the topic. GOD is against abortion because HE is the Giver of Life and only HE has the say of who shall live and who shall die. Many people feel that due to tragic situations such as rape that an abortion is okay. Well it is GOD who cause the pregnancy, because HE is the Giver of life, when one has an abortion it's like saying oh wait GOD You're making a big mistake this child should not be! This world is corrupt and we all sin and come short of the Glory of GOD! So no matter what the situation if GOD has caused life to be due to a rape, allow GOD to use that child for a great testimony to help this dying world. Too many times we use our own understanding when the Bible tells us to lean not on our own understanding. Not everything GOD does or allows will make sense to us. This is why we must live by Faith!!

GOD has on occasion gave the command to kill. GOD would tell HIS people not to mingle with others who do not serve HIM. Because they could and would take on their way of life. Thus causing them to fall away from GOD. GOD Who is HOLY and can not go back on HIS WORD would have to destroy and consume that which is not of HIM. With each generation we see the corruption on a much greater scale causing a generation to be more evil. GOD knows who will Repent and who will not.

What we are commanded to do is lead by example, speak the Word of GOD and walk accordingly. The Fruits of the SPIRIT will show forth and those who are not of GOD shall see the difference of being in the world but not being of the world. Know we will not always have all the answers and that is ok. let those who call names call names. The Bible tells us if they done it to our LORD JESUS CHRIST they will do it to us as well. Be not offended.

An evangelist is one who ministers GOD's Word by the Leading of HOLY SPIRIT. It is not always accepted. It is not always comfortable. But it is always the right thing to do. Be obedient to the Call on your life and not to the flesh.

Blessings!!!!!!!

 

[Jesus4ever]

Just to let you know this, brothers and sisters: today I was with my friends and guess what? My female friend started reading the Bible I gave her many months ago!

Praise the Lord!


God bless you!

 

[Practice-English]

Hi, dear brothers and sisters!
God bless you!

I only read the title,
I can say OH YES!
It can hard, tough and not simple
at all to evangelize to others!
I've no doubts about it!
A verse to add with my message like that!