How do you know ... (Full Version)

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mvic -> How do you know ... (5/17/2008 8:25:34 AM)

As a Christian, you witness to others by discussing Christianity with them, by preaching in church, by teaching at school, or even by the way you live your life. There are so many ways to go out into the world and encourage others to follow Christ.

How do you know that what you are doing (i.e. the way you are doing it) is right and is not doing more harm than good to your cause?

Some people can turn others away from God by the way they push Christianity in your face.

How do you know that you're doing it right?



conrack50 -> RE: How do you know ... (5/17/2008 8:32:02 AM)

God in my case provides the conversation. I have gone into businesses that I have known the people for years and asked for prayer concerning wisdom and it leads to the discussion. It just enters my mind as soon as I walk in the door. Not all the time but when I need it the most.
I don't think about whether I'm doing it right or wrong. I just let God lead me.

There have been times again that I have been led by God to ask them if they are a Christian. If they say No, I just state that I'll pray for them and let it go.
There are times that if they say yes, immediately I ask if we can pray, no matter where it is.

In answer to your ? about how do you know? I just feel it. It's like a gut feeling.



BerianAardvark -> RE: How do you know ... (5/17/2008 10:18:40 AM)

One thing to remember, people will not care what you believe until the believe how much you care.

Approaching people "cold" (so to speak) is seldom profitable. Unsolicited tracts tend to wind up as litter in the street as an example.

But people who have seen how you live your life, seen the fruit of the Spirit manifested in your day to day actions will notice (even against their will) that there is something about you that they would like to see in their lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

In this world someone with those traits visible in their lives will stand out, and attract people who want to know how they can "Get some of that." in their lives. Which is a great place to start.

God provides the opportunities, and the words as needed, when we try to do it in our timing, in our way the results are seldom pretty...case in point, the way Ishmael came on the scene...and the ensuing centuries of strife between the descendants of Isaac and those of Ishmael. Why? Because Abram (not yet Abraham) and Sarai (not yet Sarah) decided to "help God out" and gain His promise in their own way and timing. That is when you can actually push people away rather than draw them nearer.

So Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I will obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. (Genesis 16:2)

"Cold canvasing" has it place, God can and does place people in our paths when we do public witnessing and Evangelical forays, though generally those people are there because of the efforts of others coming to fruition.

So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:7)

It is always God through the Holy Spirit that actually does the "deed", using people along the way to sow the seed through both words and deeds, watering and cultivating that seed through other people and circumstances and eventually, in God's timing, that person comes to Christ.

I have generally had better results among friends and coworkers, but "revival type meetings and Evangelistic efforts have their place as well. But always remember that it is God and God's timing that are the final determining factor.

Tim

Tim



DustyLady -> RE: How do you know ... (5/17/2008 10:25:05 AM)

How do you know that you're doing anything right?

By the results that you see in people's words and in their actions.

Dusty



iamjc-s -> RE: How do you know ... (5/17/2008 11:25:57 AM)

-
1 way you can never go wrong or hurt someone more than you help:
Let God show everyone His agape' love through you.
-



LCannon -> RE: How do you know ... (5/17/2008 12:19:00 PM)

Admit-“[Jesus] proved He had a valid claim [to His Deity] but His own rejected His claim yet as many as receives His message; to them he claimed the right to become redeemed of God and appropriate His Name.“ John 1:11,12

People love to use this limited argument as an excuse for their unbelief. I(and others) know because a life experience of personal growth is the 'proof' of His sacrifice in a redeemed soul. Our performance isn't the issue as the world's argument rather obedience to His sacrifice/Victory despite the circumstance.



kmangel -> RE: How do you know ... (5/17/2008 2:52:34 PM)

My pastor said to us one day that God calls us to be faithful, not successful. We can beat ourselves up over what we said--was it enough or too much. If your heart is to be used by God to speak to others, then trust that He will use you. Leave what happens after you share with others to God.

I once was at an airport waiting room. A lady sat down next to me. My husband had gone to get us a snack and this lady began talking to me. She was very friendly and I quickly learned she is of Jewish decent. We had a wonderful conversation about God. There were a couple times she was surprised by what I said. Later, as I left her to board my plane, I thought about our conversation. I don't think I said anything stunning, but my belief is that whatever God wanted her to hear in those moments we shared is what she heard.



SonInMe1 -> RE: How do you know ... (5/17/2008 5:18:38 PM)

quote:

How do you know that what you are doing (i.e. the way you are doing it) is right and is not doing more harm than good to your cause?


This would worry me greatly if someone's salvation depended on...me.

It doesn't. That doesn't mean we don't have a responsibility to be light in the world...to be salt. It means if we witness to someone "not on the list" it doesn't matter what we do. If we do witness to those "on the list" then God has a plan and those who will be chosen will be chosen.

quote:

God in my case provides the conversation.


No question and no doubt.

quote:

Approaching people "cold" (so to speak) is seldom profitable.


amen. Unless you are called to be a street preacher, witnessing to strangers seldom works. It takes a relationship to establish your witness. An investment of time and energy.



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