How to Witness to Others
by Martin Howard
Even though I’m a believer, I’m not called to be an evangelist or tell others about Jesus Christ.
My number one spiritual gift is teaching. Therefore, I feel that God has given me the ability to teach other Christians. To dive deeper into the Word. But I haven’t been called to evangelize the gospel to non-believers.
Am I right in that thinking? (emphatically speaking) NO!
As believers, we’re all called to share the gospel with others. And a TANDEM bracelet can help with that.
But what am I supposed to say? How am I supposed to do that? I’m glad you asked.
You’re at the Right Place at the Right Time
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:14-17
First off, in order to witness to others, you don’t have to be an “evangelist” to spread the gospel. Think about it. The twelve Apostles Jesus chose were fishermen, tax collectors, and the like. None of them were evangelists or biblical scholars for that matter. Yet the gospel is here today because God used them in a mighty way.
Jesus hand-picked 12 Apostles to follow Him. They spent roughly three years with Him, going nearly everywhere with Him. And they saw almost everything He did.
Recommended reading: A Bible Study of the Bible
As a result, they gained knowledge and had experiences that they could share with others. You too have knowledge of Jesus Christ and experiences that you could share with others.
Even if the only verse you’ve memorized is John 3:16, you know more than most non-believers (and a plurality of so-called Christians).
To give you a little boost of confidence, EVERYONE in this world knows God. Whether they want to admit it or not (Romans 1:18-25).
Even non-believers believe in God. In the book of Acts, Paul explained to the people of Athens, Greece who their unknown god was (Acts 17:16-31). They knew God was out there. But they didn’t know who He was.
I’d dare to say that even atheists believe in God. But they’ve chosen to suppress it because their sinful nature is more important to them. Perhaps, it’s easier to say they don’t believe than to admit the truth.
Share What You Know
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.” – Romans 1:25
When you share the gospel, you can start by telling others who created you, them, and everything in the universe. You will struggle, at times, to witness to others about Jesus. They’ll want to argue with you about the whole thing. During those conversations, try not to forget that Romans 1 says that many have suppressed the truth to enjoy their sins. They’re not arguing with you, they’re arguing with themselves. You just happen to be the outlet.
Keep in mind, even though it’s uncomfortable that doesn’t give you the reasoning to not tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ. His life, death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin.
Please remember this, it’s not your job to make others believe. Why? Because God has to draw them to the saving faith in Jesus Christ. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” – John 6:44.
Fulfilling the Great Commission
At the beginning of this post, I gave a soliloquy stating that it wasn’t my job to evangelize to others. Even though it’s obvious that thinking is incorrect, many still feel that way. As Christians, whether we like it or not, it’s what Jesus has commanded us to do.
In Matthew 28, Jesus gave one last command before He ascended into Heaven. He told His disciples, and He tells us, to go and make disciples of all nations. To baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And, to teach others what the Word has taught us. Matthew 28:16-20
That command didn’t stop with the Apostles. It continues on to all believers. And it will continue until He returns.
Share Your Personal Testimony
To evangelize or witness to others, you can start by merely telling others about your personal testimony. There was a moment in time when you weren’t a believer. A point came in your life when you decided to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior. You asked Him into your life because you wanted to turn away from your sinful ways and toward Him.
When you go to share your testimony, here are a few questions that might help you know what to say. The answers to these questions are part of your testimony. Your story and your experiences will help you to witness to others.
- Did someone else tell you about Jesus? Who was it?
- Was it one person or several people over a period of time? 1 Corinthians 3:6-8
- What was going on in your life when you made your decision to follow Jesus? Matthew 9:9
- When you made the decision, how did it feel? Mark 1:40-45
- How has your life changed since you made that choice? Matthew 7:15-20
- Has it gotten better? How so? Do you praise Him for it? Deuteronomy 8:17-18
- Has it gotten worse? How so? Do you turn to Him for help? John 10:14
- Do you approach life and decision-making differently now? Galatians 5:22-25
- If you could give your old self some advice (the one before you gave your life to Christ), what would it be? – share this same advice with others, when applicable.
When preparing to speak to others, don’t limit yourself to just these questions. They’re meant to help you get started. To help you tell others about God and what He’s done for you.
After you’ve come up with what you’d like to say, write it down. Refrain from memorizing it though. Rather, create bullet points in your mind of things to cover. When we memorize something, it tends to come off more robotic than humanistic.
Jesus IS the ONLY Way to God (the God of the Bible)
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” – John 14:6.
“You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 10:22.
When you speak to others about Jesus, you will get pushback (John 16:33). You most likely will lose friends and possibly good relationships with family members. After opening up to them, they may want nothing to do with you. Jesus warned us about that.
He also told us, in Matthew 17:20, that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed. A small seed that blossoms into a large tree.
Some might ask, if God is the only God, then why are there so many religions?
There are some so-called Christian pastors who’ve said, on national television, that Jesus is not the only way to God. That’s what we as Christians call heresy. Or a deviation from the truth.
Jesus clearly stated in John 14:6 that He was and is the only way to God.
Ask God for Opportunities to Witness to Others
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” – 1 Peter 3:15-16
Now that you know what to say, ask God for opportunities to witness to others. You don’t need to know the answer to every question or rejection. Only those who God draws will be saved (John 6:44). Meaning, don’t take it personally (Matthew 10:14). Because you will receive rejection when you try to witness to others. That rejection merely means they haven’t been drawn by God, at least not yet.
As believers, we’re called to spread the message of Jesus Christ far and wide. It’s not our job to know who will believe and who won’t. Jesus will separate the believers from the nonbelievers, at the end (Matthew 7:22-23 and Matthew 13:24-29).
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