Witnessing without the Gimmicks-Part 1

I want to share an important aspect to evangelism that is often missed by Christians. I was brought up in an evangelical church and was taught how to share Jesus with those around me. I was given "witnessing" tools to help me do this. One of the tools was called "The Four Spiritual Laws". It came in the form of a small pamphlet that anyone could use to lead non-saved people to Jesus. Somehow, however, I never felt comfortable with those pre-fabricated tools. The tools were fine, yet They did not seem authentic to me, even though I did appreciate aspects of them. I wanted to lead people to Christ in a genuine way and not with "gimmicks". That is the background of this blog series and of an encounter I want to share.

Some years ago, a man stopped by my office on the recommendation of one of the church’s members. Outwardly he looked as if he had it all. He had the outward trappings of a successful American. Yet the reason for the visit was that his life was falling apart-- marriage, family, money, you name it.

So, Evangelism Lesson #1-Don’t be fooled by appearances. As it says in I Samuel, "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart."

This man began to share his story. As I listened, the little Pharisee living in my head told me that I SHOULD witness to him. This man was probably not a believer. He had been raised in an institutional church but it never took. The Pharisee kept yelling that I OUGHT to witness to him and share "The Four Spiritual Laws".

Evangelism Lesson #2: SHOULD and OUGHT are Pharisee words, not Jesus words.

The Lord, however, was whispering in my other ear , "Don’t say a word about Me!" (That was NOT the right "Sunday School" answer!) The Pharisee and the Holy Spirit argued all the way through my conversation with this guy until I dutifully surrendered to the Holy Spirit and just listened.

Evangelism Lesson #3: Follow the Holy Spirit over "Sunday School" answers. He is ALWAYS right!

The man left un-witnessed to. I wondered if I had made a colossal mistake by not sharing the Gospel with him. A week later, however, the man stopped by a second time. Again, the argument in my head began but this time I switched off the volume to the Pharisee side early on. A second time, the Holy Spirit told me to not say a word about church, the Lord, Jesus, etc. I was just to listen and interact with this guy. After forty five minutes he left and I thought that either I was really right or really wrong and that there was no middle ground!

There's more to this story and I'll get to the rest of it next blog. But, remember next time you begin to witness:

Evangelism In A Nut Shell Recap-Part 1

• Don’t be fooled by appearances.



• SHOULD-OUGHT. Pharisee words.



• Follow the Holy Spirit over "Sunday School" answers. He is ALWAYS right!

Blessing,

Fr. Scott +