- do you warn them about hell and the hellish lifestyle they are living?
or
- do you tell them all the promises they can receive when they become a believer?
what is important to get accross to an unsaved soul? I believe in the second of the choices. Kinda like the old saying, "you can catch more flies with honey....."
WE will hit on that one with the Faith /Word thread my friend...for me..neither . Sow in love, water the seed and pray for the right words and opportunity. Let God's Spirit lead.
Absolutely, everytime I try to witness the way I want to witness or what Ithink the person needs to hear, I endupwrecking it. But when I pray to let the Holy Spirit lead me, definatelyturns out much better.
Absolutely, everytime I try to witness the way I want to witness or what Ithink the person needs to hear, I endupwrecking it. But when I pray to let the Holy Spirit lead me, definatelyturns out much better.
So true. I found that out years ago when I wasa young christian. I couldn't wait to rush out and tell myfamily howtheywere all going to hell and how wrong their church was. While my desire was tosee them saved, I immediately put them in a defensiveposition.Sometimes the best witness is how we live our lives.
So true. I found that out years ago when I wasa young christian. I couldn't wait to rush out and tell myfamily howtheywere all going to hell and how wrong their church was. While my desire was tosee them saved, I immediately put them in a defensiveposition.Sometimes the best witness is how we live our lives.
I tend to agree with this for the most part. I witness to friends, to family, to aquaintenances, even to some of my patients if they engage in a religious conversation. Not to the extent of forcing my ways on them, but maybe offering a different view or perception of things.
A couple years ago, while taking care of a RETIRED MINISTER who was in severe denial, and angry at his situation, he lashed out a couple of times at our phlebotomist, and one of our nurses, and they asked me if Icould go back and talk to him. I came in the room, and hesaid, "WhatdoYOU want??"in and angry and grouchy manner. And I began to talk to him. And asked him what he'd done for a living, which I alreadyknew, and he continued to be irritated, and replied, "You already know, why are you asking?" And I told him, Iknew he "was angry, and frustrated being in the hospital, but.........You are a Christian,Right?" And he again somewhat irritated and confused by the question said to me, "I am a retired minister, what do you think?" And I said, "Well, I was just clarifying. But I do have one last question. As a Christian, and a retired minister, don't you believe that GOD wouldn't give you anything he didn't think you could handle???" At that point, the student had somewhat become the teacher, and for that instant, he realized the error in his ways. From that point on, he was pleasant with nearly every staff member that took care of him.
So the point of the story is that often times I witness in a bit of an odd fashion, but also in a pretty effective fashion.
Absolutely, everytime I try to witness the way I want to witness or what Ithink the person needs to hear, I endupwrecking it. But when I pray to let the Holy Spirit lead me, definatelyturns out much better.
So true. I found that out years ago when I wasa young christian. I couldn't wait to rush out and tell myfamily howtheywere all going to hell and how wrong their church was. While my desire was tosee them saved, I immediately put them in a defensiveposition.Sometimes the best witness is how we live our lives.
Saint John 13l 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
I 've often heard "That we may be the only Bible some one will ever read." Yesterday I heard on Christain radio "We may be the only demonstration of God's love some people will ever see."
It's hard to believe it ..but God'slove demonstrated through usisa wonderful aid inwinning souls. So many times I have thought in the pass I needed to "Instruct someone" only to drive them away. I've also learned it's hard to recieve God 's mercy until we practice showing mercy unto others. The more we unconditionally accept and love others ..by faith the more we can accept ourselves and recieve God's love. And this my friends is a good cycle. For the more you love others ..the more joy you will have..and that joy is addicting.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Last Sunday morning, my church just began a series on witnessing and personal evangelism. It's the EvanTell system which is new to me, but has been very interesting from the outset... It's taught during the Sunday School time and features lectures, videos, discussion, small groups and home study. It's a little premature to attempt to answer this question based on this point in the study, but based on my own observations over the years, scaring the H--- out of them isn't what I would start with. It does need to be mentioned, but by putting them on the defensive at the begining, you put yourself in a bad position for witnessing.
__________________
Today' s small bucks are tomorrow' s trophies.
[image]http://www.whitetails.com/deer8.html[image]
Witnessing
