How does one evaluate a testimony?

[Daniel Marsh]

How does one evaluate a testimony?

Timeline make sense?

What can be verified?

Any other ideas?

[Willa]

Does it contradict Scripture?  

Do they confess Jesus as Lord?

Do they confess Jesus as having come in the flesh?

Is it in harmony with the Spirit of Scripture?  Does it produce the fruit of the Spirit?  Col 3:15  AMP. And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

Does it glorify God? 

I once heard and read a testimony of a convicted criminal who claimed his life had been changed by salvation through Christ.  However, he wrote a book that 99% glorified his sins and at the end, as an afterthought added that Jesus changed his life..  Had it been genuine he would not have boasted about his sin life but would have been ashamed and minimized it, to glorify what God had done in his life.  

[AnOrangeCat]

3 hours ago, Willa said:

Does it glorify God? 

I once heard and read a testimony of a convicted criminal who claimed his life had been changed by salvation through Christ.  However, he wrote a book that 99% glorified his sins and at the end, as an afterthought added that Jesus changed his life..  Had it been genuine he would not have boasted about his sin life but would have been ashamed and minimized it, to glorify what God had done in his life.  

I agree, and for me this is one of the key things to look for. Testimonies draw attention so who or what they draw attention to is usually very telling.

[Michael37]

9 hours ago, Daniel Marsh said:

How does one evaluate a testimony?

Timeline make sense?

What can be verified?

Any other ideas?

Paul shared his testimonies when required, but I doubt that he would approve of the sideshows that some make of their testimonies.

[FJK]

Who does the testimony glorify?

What is the lesson to be learned from it?

If you ask the Lord for understanding you will receive it, and sometimes that understanding comes as a more of a revelation about yourself than the one giving the testimony or the testimony being given.

Much can be said about this.

[luigi]

11 hours ago, Daniel Marsh said:

How does one evaluate a testimony?

 

With the Bible, just like the more noble Bereans in Acts 17:10-12 who searched the Word daily.

[Starise]

14 hours ago, Daniel Marsh said:

How does one evaluate a testimony?

Timeline make sense?

What can be verified?

Any other ideas?

I believe the gift of discernment is needed here. Are there ulterior motives to having given a testimony? Such as positions or power?  Why was it necessary to give a testimony? Is this some sort of religious job interview?

Like public prayer, testimonies can be given in the wrong spirit like a peacock strutting it's stuff. The best testimonies in my opinion are observations over time.

Some people have the idea certain dots need to line up exactly a certain way for anything to be valid. I would say, as long as salvation according to the bible is in there, there's a lot of extra wiggle room.

I don't count education as any sort of testimony. I'm on a few Christian forums in Quora, and most of those people list their religious and educational qualifications as ways to state they must be close to the Lord and Spiritual.While it might be impressive from a theological perspective, I give it little credance. Does this negate those who didn't attend bible college.?What kind of a husband and father has this person been? What do they do in their private time?

 

[PATrobas]

16 hours ago, Daniel Marsh said:

How does one evaluate a testimony?

Timeline make sense?

What can be verified?

Any other ideas?

Here is a short study on witnessing I taught recently.

WITNESS/TESTIFY/TESTIMONY/RECORD

WITNESS: marturion  mar-too'-ree-on  MARTYR

something evidential, that is, (generally) evidence given - to be testified, testimony, witness testimony. to be a witness, that is, testify - charge, give [evidence], bear record, have (obtain, of) good (honest) report, be well reported of, testify, give (have) testimony, (be, bear, give, obtain) witness.

TESTIFY/TESTIMONY:  diamarturomai  dee-am-ar-too'-rom-ahee  

to attest or protest earnestly,  - charge, testify (unto), witness.

RECORD:  martus  mar'-toos

a witness  by analogy a “martyr”: - martyr, record, witness.

(The above from Strong’s Concordance)

To testify or witness is to give evidence of ones personal experience.  Eyewitness account.

Jesus cited the witnesses of Himself by -  John, - The Father, - the scriptures, - works, - the Holy Spirit.

(Joh 5:33)  Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.

(Joh 5:37)  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

(Joh 5:39)  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

(Joh 10:25)  Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

(Joh 15:26)  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

The apostles gave witness/testimony of Jesus and the Good News: the Gospel.

1Jn 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; :2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) :3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. :4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 

We are commanded to give witness and were called to do it.

Luk 24:44  And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. :45  Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, :46  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: :47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. :48  And ye are witnesses of these things. :49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Act 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

EXAMPLES

Act 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Act 26:13-32  Paul's testimony of his conversion

Joh 1:34  And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

Joh 12:17  The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record.

1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

WITNESS OF GOD TO US:

1Jn 5:9  If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. :10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. :11  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. :12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 

WE ARE TO GIVE OUR TESTIMONY OF GOD IN OUR LIVES TO OTHER BELIEVERS FOR EXHORTATION AND EDIFICATION AND COMFORT

2Co 12:1-10 

WE ARE TO TESTIFY TO UNBELIEVERS OF HOW WE WERE SAVED, BEING AWARE OF OUR AUDIENCE AND THEIR BACKGROUND

                        How much time is there to testify?  Are they religious?

Peter's testimony to "believing" Jews.  Acts 2:14-41

Stephen's testimony to unbelieving Jews.  Acts 6:8-7:60  Act 6:8  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. :9  Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. :10  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. .......Act 7:59  And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. :60  And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 

 

OUR TESTIMONY TO UNBELIEVERS SHOULD INCLUDE THE GOSPEL

            The shorter the better.

Practice a “2 minute” testimony.

            WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR RESULTS, nor ARE WE  TO "WIN SOULS FOR CHRIST" (it is a work of God).     1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. :7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. :8  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. :9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 

[Vine Abider]

17 hours ago, Daniel Marsh said:

How does one evaluate a testimony?

Timeline make sense?

What can be verified?

Any other ideas?

 

12 hours ago, Willa said:

Does it contradict Scripture?  

Do they confess Jesus as Lord?

Do they confess Jesus as having come in the flesh?

Is it in harmony with the Spirit of Scripture?  Does it produce the fruit of the Spirit?  Col 3:15  AMP. And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

Does it glorify God? 

I once heard and read a testimony of a convicted criminal who claimed his life had been changed by salvation through Christ.  However, he wrote a book that 99% glorified his sins and at the end, as an afterthought added that Jesus changed his life..  Had it been genuine he would not have boasted about his sin life but would have been ashamed and minimized it, to glorify what God had done in his life.  

Agree with what @Willa said here and also what @Starise said about human certifications, education, etc. not holding much weight. (an unregenerated person can gain a certificate in anything)

I would add the inner Anointing to this.  So does the testimony glorify Christ (not just saying "God" but "Jesus Christ") and His work and not the individual or some human movement?  And does this testimony lead people to come to Christ and follow Him?  And does it align with scripture and not violate our core faith? If affirmative to these AND we have a sense of His indwelling Spirit approving of the testimony, then I think it's good.

[TheBlade]

A verse comes to mind "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; And the end of that mirth is heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: And a good man shall be satisfied from himself."

This is all well and good but what if that testimony goes against what you personally believe?  Its only under pressure, our back against the wall when we see who and what we truly are. See I know some testimony's that would be, have been shot down in a heart beat because it goes not against the word of God but against ones personal belief. 

If I was to go by my personal belief then when I know a testimony is wrong not of God. That's the sign there is something of God here. HAHA oh most of the time after all is said and done I was eating crow. So be it simple beautiful testimony of about angels or healing you name it I step back and as one said God getting the glory and praise. I many not agree personally but its not about me its them and their Father. He is not working in their life like He is in mine. I have missed some because of letting my personal belief get in His way.

Like a preacher what do I look for? Believe in the holy spirit healing, gifts speaking in tongues etc? No I look at each one to find to hear them saying "Yeshua came in the flesh died on the cross for the worlds sin. Was buried rose the 3rd day is seated at the right hand of the Father is the only way to the Father". The other "doctrines" we might disagree on but the one that matters most is what I look for. Not how many mistakes they made.. not my job. Just for the good the fruit. See I found by doing this? He works even more in my life. I am not anyones God. Not here to control to get anyone to believe like me.

Testimony.. you know a girl (woman?) I don't know it was on a big Christian forum. It was like 2 weeks ago and.... oh she was so happy and sharing and I think I was the only one that replied. I said this should be on the front of the site! Oh it was somewhere. It for me should have had pages of believers praising GOD but...it was all the other worldly things. See we and I mean me to...we know what to say but do we believe it?