A witnessing tip to help overcome the fear of not knowing what to say
We introduce Jesus Christ through His Word! Only through the power of God’s Word can a lost soul receive faith. Jesus is the Word became flesh. He is the gospel. When Christian believers think of proclaiming the gospel as introducing Christ to the world, it can have a profound impact on overcoming our fears.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1-6)
Many believers struggle to overcome the fear of not knowing what to say.
They fear that they will not share the gospel message correctly.
They fear how a person may respond.
They fear messing up and letting their Savior down.
Here is an important point to remember:
When a believer verbally proclaims the true hope they have in Christ alone to a lost soul – and do so with gentleness and respect – they will never mess up.
When Christian believers proclaim the gospel they are introducing Christ through his Word, because he is the Word. He is the gospel.
We learn in the first chapter of John that the Word existed before time began. Before the Word became flesh, the Word existed.
It is the same Word that was crucified, died, and rose again.
It is the same Word that lives today.
Jesus Christ is the Word. He is the gospel.
How easy it is to introduce somebody that you care about to another person? The words come easily when we introduce our mother or father to our next-door neighbor.
It’s comfortable to introduce our son or daughter to a close friend.
A mother’s face radiates with light whenever they talk about their children. And they could go on and on.
A father’s radiance gleams with pride whenever they talk about what their children have done.
Friends and neighbors seen this radiance. They know how these people are important to you.
When we proclaim the gospel to others, we are introducing the presence of Jesus Christ through his Word.
In everyday conversations, we can comfortably give reasons for the true hope we have in Christ – the source for the light within us that shines in the darkness of uncertain times.
When we proclaim the gospel, we are introducing someone who is important to us – for he rescued us from the consequences of our sins.
When we proclaim the gospel, we are introducing someone who is dear to us – for he loves us far more than we deserve.
We give reasons for the true hope, divine peace, and pure joy that can only be found in his Word.
Jesus Christ is the Word. He is the gospel.
But that’s not all.
There is a great promise given immediately after the great commission for all believers.
Jesus’ presence.
“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
When we introduce the presence of Christ through His Word, we are also given his presence for us, through us, and beside us.
When fear clogs our mind with doubts about what to say, Jesus tell us not to worry. He will provide comfort, confidence, and wisdom to know what to say.
When we confess our timidity, he gives us power.
When we confess our lack of interest, he gives us love.
When we confess our intimidation, he gives us self-control.
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
When believers proclaim a gospel message to an unbeliever, they are not just saying words.
They are planting seeds into the ground.
They are accomplishing what Jesus desires and achieving his purposes.
After introducing Christ through the power of the Word, he tells us, “Don’t worry. I will take it from here.”
It is his transforming power that creates faith, not our ability to reason.
It is his saving power that creates faith, not our ability to convince.
And God still works for us, through us, and with us, even when we feel that we have bumbled along in trying to proclaim a gospel message.
Evangelism is far more about trusting God’s promises than it is about ourselves.
Step out in faith and share your faith with others.
Trust Christ’s promises. Believe that God delivers.
And introduce the Word to the world!
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Being self conscious is self defeating. We need take our eyes off of ourselves!
I agree Duayne. I like to say that when we stop looking in the mirror and start looking at the cross — we receive far more than we need to boldly proclaim the gospel and be his witnesses.
This is so reassuring…full of good reminders. Thank you SO much, Dave. The pictures you drew in the beginning about introducing a loved one to a neighbor, etc. were so meaningful. They really “hit me” as being the right way to approach our witnessing to others.
God’s blessings to you & Lori.
Thanks for the encouragement . My new year’s resolution was twofold – to lose 20 lbs, and to share Christ with my 52 neighbors. The lst one hasn’t gone to well. But the second one has gone much better. I have been able to share a 15 minute law/gospel message with all my neighbors. In order to get a hearing, I tell them who I am, and that I got some very good news to share with them. In fact, I tell them, “It’s so good that I’ll give you this 100 dollar bill if you can honestly tell me that it’s not the best news you’ve ever heard. Six of my neighbors invited me in and listened to my law/gospel message. Those who declined, when they heard it would take about 15 minutes of their time, I gave them a written copy of my message, with the comment, ” here is what I would have told you if you had invited me in.” For my neighbors who belonged to a Christian Church, I mailed a copy of my message with the note that said, “I’m not trying to get you to leave your church, but just want you to see what I’ve been sharing with our unchurched neighbors. And so all 52 of my neighbors have received a good law/gospel message. I’m now following up with my unchurched neighbors, striving to get them to come to our pastors’ Bible Information Class. One of my pastors (I belong to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Watertown,WI) is preparing an attractive flyer, prompting our BIC, that I plan on giving to these unchurched neighbors.
Thanks, James. I love your new year’s resolutions. Thank you for sharing your approach. May the Lord continue to bless your witness.