Evangelism sometimes feels like a tug of war to me. My own insecurities mixed with a desire to be polite and not intrude or cause an inconvenience creates a rotten mix that in many ways becomes the opposing force. Yes, I know salvation is more important than manners and in many ways, it’s those rude instances that people remember more. A story I was told by a professor reminds me of this:
A mentally handicapped child was telling people about Jesus. One person he spoke with was the CEO of a multi-million dollar corporation. The rich man didn’t want anything to do with Jesus, so the child said, “Fine, go to Hell then.” As the story goes, the rich man went home and for days couldn’t get the mentally handicapped child out of his head. Eventually, he came to Christ.
Now when I heard this story I was so relieved. It isn’t always about some cookie-cutter approach to ministry. Evangelism is alive, it breathes, it shocks, but most of all it loves. It becomes a goal not to strangle it in the panic. Our minds get attached rather quickly and when the words come out all jumbly, we can feel it’s our fault if they go to Hell. For someone in those shoes, I would say to trust in Him.
This brings me to the other Tug-of-War, the real one. Here’s the secret, know the Holy Spirit. The more you do, the easier of a flow it becomes. He guides your eyes and covers your heart; He shields your thoughts and directs your steps. I know of people who meet together with no plan other than to go out there into the harvest. They meet, they pray, and they go. Healings, deliverances, and salvations follow them. You don’t have to know everything, but you do need to know Him because He is everything.
Out there, it seems Satan has one goal: Keep people from knowing the love of God. Everything can be understood that simply, John 3:16 style. Now how you communicate that is where the rubber meets the road.
Years ago, my brother took me to Scotland. At one of the youth hostels I got into a conversation with another traveler and the hour became late. He was so hungry for Jesus, I didn’t think about anything else other than answering his questions to the best of my ability. Soon the others in our room told us to shut-up. What works for some will not work for others. Be sensitive to the Spirit, be aware that at times He will guide your tongue before you even know it. Don’t take the reins back, let Him flow.
The real Tug-of-War is when you are in the thick of it and you become intensely aware of the demons and the lies the person has embraced over the years. Your words pull their soul from the clutches of darkness into His wonderful light. Remember you’re on a team, angels work with you, the Holy Spirit is within you. Work with your team, not against them.
What does that look like? I don’t know for everyone, but ultimately I would say it is about putting yourself aside until He tells you to take it back up again.
The only way to get good at evangelism is to do it. Books can strangle it, classes can castrate it, you have to listen to the Spirit and follow. Let your ignorance free you to trust.
-Brian