Has blinded the unbelievers’ minds

[warrior12]

2 Corinthians 4:4 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

The question.  What is the remedy for this ?.  

In my years of witnessing, I have not had any person that have come and testify of their conversion or conviction.  They either ignore what I say or place arguments for other forms of worship or denial of the bible as to its creditability or existence.  Some have even said it is a white man religion.   So how do you respond ?.

Many will have discussions, but they want proof or do not trust the records as how the bible compilation was written ect.

Edited Saturday at 03:52 PM by warrior12

[Orion]

First of all, Christianity is not a white man's religion; Christianity is about Jesus Christ. 

Secondly, Christianity and the good news of Jesus Christ was birthed in the middle east, and the good news  was proclaimed in Africa before it went north into Europe, the nations of "white" men. 

Thirdly, unbelievers are not only blinded by the devil, they are blinded by God who rejects them and condemns them for their continued ungodlieness and unrighteousness. 

Finally, we can't know who is or isn't eternally condemned already, so we do as we are instructed by our Lord: proclaim the good news and the consequences of believing and not believing; God will do the saving.  Amen. 

[AnOrangeCat]

1 hour ago, warrior12 said:

2 Corinthians 4:4 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

The question.  What is the remedy for this ?.  

In my years of witnessing, I have not had any person that have come and testify of their conversion or conviction.  They either ignore what I say or place arguments for other forms of worship or denial of the bible as to its creditability or existence.  Some have even said it is a white man religion.   So how do you respond ?.

Many will have discussions, but they want proof or do not trust the records as how the bible compilation was written ect.

These things are generally going to be case by case. The blend of temperaments, background, and reasons vary so much from person to person that there's not really a one size fits all answer to it. There's a few things I like to keep in mind, though.

1: We're almost always building on work someone else has done. Other people will probably build on what we've done. This should help us be patient and curb frustrations if they arise.

2: God gives us what we need, and that includes inspiration on what words to say and what approach to take.

3: I find that actions tend to speak the loudest and get the most scrutiny.

4: We're just messengers. Whatever we say and do the Holy Spirit brings the conviction down on God's timing.

[other one]

1 hour ago, warrior12 said:

Some have even said it is a white man religion.   So how do you respond ?.

I would say that they have never been to a church run and attended by our dark skinned brothers and sisters. If you haven't been one should do so if you think or question their standing with the Lord.

[warrior12]

13 minutes ago, AnOrangeCat said:

These things are generally going to be case by case. The blend of temperaments, background, and reasons vary so much from person to person that there's not really a one size fits all answer to it. There's a few things I like to keep in mind, though.

1: We're almost always building on work someone else has done. Other people will probably build on what we've done. This should help us be patient and curb frustrations if they arise.

2: God gives us what we need, and that includes inspiration on what words to say and what approach to take.

3: I find that actions tend to speak the loudest and get the most scrutiny.

4: We're just messengers. Whatever we say and do the Holy Spirit brings the conviction down on God's timing.

I like your response.  

I see it like this.  I sow the seed as far as I can. How it germinates and grow I may have attachement if it allowed. Ultimately though, it is the person to come to his conviction and surrender his life to Christ.

[warrior12]

16 minutes ago, other one said:

I would say that they have never been to a church run and attended by our dark skinned brothers and sisters. If you haven't been one should do so if you think or question their standing with the Lord.

I have been to those churches and was baptized in one.   I think the slave trade has a lot to do with their way of thinking as they see those as oppressors.  At least this is what I have observed in my dialogue with them.    

 

 

Edited Saturday at 05:15 PM by warrior12

[warrior12]

So, you have sibilings and family members, even children, that are not saved and reaching out to them in dialogue and testimony. I am thinking everyone must know someone who is not saved and sure you want them to come to salvation, but they are stubbon in their ways or have ideology that they are putting forth to you.  

What is your method of getting their attention to the truths of the word.  

To be honest, most of the poeple I interact with are those I play a bit of sports with or family members I know or the odd person I meet here and there.  

What I see or I should say know though, there are seducing spirits that have taken control of people and have given them a taste of intoxicating pleasures. They don't want to give up those pleasures as they are out of this world.  It's like a drug, that you pay no money for, just accept the sensation and fornicate with it.   I am not lying, I tell the truth of this. 

So then how to reach them with the gospel.   I have to war in the spirit when those things come to me, as I know this body mind and spirit is the temple of God and we cannot let other entities enter in or then we are serving another master.  Oh Lord help us in these times to uphold your word and laws of holiness and righteousness.

Well, I don't know if others have an experience in these matters, but I can't put mine under a barrel, but has as scripture says, have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  This is real folks and prayer and persistence in witnessing to those you meet must go on.   At one point I felt like it makes no more sense saying this very thing to my family members as they must be tired of hearing it or think I have some issues, but I know what I am saying is true.   

It seems to me, like the whole world is being condiitoned to drink of that cup of intoxicated spirit, if you want to get ahead or --.

I will say this too, I think all that is taking place in the world today, are relative to what I have said.   Can't prove it, but rev 17-18 says who is the cause for this and what they were doing.  

It was not my intention to get this far, but I did.

for your merchants were the great ones of the earth,
    and all nations were deceived by your sorcery.

 

[Who me]

17 hours ago, warrior12 said:

but they want proof or do not trust the records as how the bible compilation was written ect.

Discussion is good, but those making claims have to substantiate their claims with evidence.

There is ample evidence from established  historian as to the accuracy of the bible and of the resurrection. 

If someone is still rejecting evidence one has to ask why, what spiritual reasons  are causing them to disbelief. 

 

It is a spiritual battle that we cannot win, our task is to present Jesus, it is then in God's hands.

[timf]

Joh 18:37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

We live at a time when most people prefer feeling good over truth. Perhaps what was observable in the spread of the early church was the obvious changes in someone's life when they became a Christian. Today we do not know others well enough to observe any changes and so this sort of "testimony" is generally not available

To see if someone may be open to considering Christianity, it is perhaps best to see how they value truth.

[warrior12]

16 minutes ago, timf said:

Joh 18:37  Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

We live at a time when most people prefer feeling good over truth. Perhaps what was observable in the spread of the early church was the obvious changes in someone's life when they became a Christian. Today we do not know others well enough to observe any changes and so this sort of "testimony" is generally not available

To see if someone may be open to considering Christianity, it is perhaps best to see how they value truth.

I was going to repeat how I came to salvation, but it would be a bit lengthy, as I did gave my testimony here on worthy before.  What I would say though, is sometimes a person may encounter situation that may seem like a mountain and no way out.  They may then reflect on that discussion or witness that you had with them and start the search and journey.  The Lord works in ways that we may not understand why and how and when, but his ways are not ours.   He may call and choose a person to do his work in a particular way and place him in situations to stand for his glory.   We have seen that so many times in scripture.   

So, the importance of being a witness to others is vital, not that the Lord cannot choose a person without using us,  but it is the duty of the believer as to the most vital work of the great commission in his sphere of life.  Believers must stand and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ and leave the rest in the Lord hands as to what men may do or say.  

He is risen, praise the Lord Jesus Christ, all majesty and hornor and Glory belongs to him alone.