Witnessing Woes

[OneAccord]

I live in a fairly small town. I was saved 2 years ago, and the Lord really did a work in my heart, has been completely renewing my mind to His Word ever since.

The community of people we (my dh and I) used to hang around with have drifted away for the most part. They think we went off our rockers and I think they thought it would just be a 'phase' and we'd come back to our senses.

Most of them do not seem to be interested in my new faith, don't even want to bring it up or ask me about it, I think it's just too wierd to them.

Mostly I am trying to just get deeply established in the faith in these early years of my walk, doing deep Bible Study to more fully understand this Christian walk, and God's plan for us. I am trying to make changes in my life to reflect Him in me more and more. It feels like a time of preparation for work He would have me do when I am ready. I am trying to witness to my community by the changes in me and my life, and by giving and serving, but am not bold about testifying verbally yet.

My husband is far more bold than I and he always brings up the Lord when in a circle of our old unbelieving friends, and the reactions that people have are very interesting at best.

People have very strong preconcieved notions about Christianity. It's pretty amazing. It's cool to talk about Buddhism, Native American religions, all kinds of far-out New Age stuff, but bring up Christianity and watch out.

The most common reactions we get are:

They think Christians are very judgemental, narrow-minded and intolerant people.

They feel like Christians are always trying to force their religion on them, shoving it down their throats.

They refuse to accept the fact that Jesus is the ONLY way, they are deeply rooted in their beliefs that all paths lead home.

They can't understand how a loving, merciful God could also be a God of wrath and the concept of hell is just too evil to accept.

They think that Christians are hypocritical. That most don't live by Jesus' teachings.

They think that Christians are represented by fancy church building, preachers in suits and ties with big collection baskets out for their money.

Most of them are cool with Jesus as a teacher, they don't usually speak against Him, but I'm sure they don't think He IS God, but only that He was an inspired teacher.

It is mostly Christianity and Christians that they speak against, and with very strong words.

They can't believe my husband and I would fall for this stuff.

We are up against some pretty harsh attitudes,saints. I realize that Satan is very busy putting up a bad image against us, but I also have to wonder how much Christians have hurt the cause themselves over the centuries through poor examples, zealousless that turned people off rather than convicted, misrepresentation of the gospel message.

I am challenged daily because of this to walk in Him in such a way that I do not blaspheme His name by my outward working of His Spirit in me. I am especially challenged by these friends who I still love, to glorify Him in myself so that they can see His light shining in me and soften their own hearts to something that they are so hardened against.

I am also challenged to read my Bible so that I can truly understand the gospel message, so that when I speak, I can speak in truth.

We've had many encounters like these lately, just wanted to share.

[traveller]

I totally understand OA. The same here. You know, to me it just makes it visually evident of the truth. Sure, it's cool to talk about new age or Buddhism or any other religion because there is either the gospel of Jesus Christ or there is darkness. Darkness will not dispell another darkness. The truth is a threat to their hidden things.

I know what you're saying about the name of Christian being tarnished. Speaking for myself, when I was in the world I knew Jesus was real. I knew Christians were both fake and true. I knew the difference because I paid closer attention to the ones that really walked the walk. I waited for them to fall down, but they didn't. Sure, they made little mistakes like everyone else, but it just proved to me that they were real. The phony ones I mostly ignored.

What I'm trying to say is that the unsaved do watch us. And I think they know the difference, they're just not willing to look into their own hearts yet. JMO.

[OneAccord]

Absolutely, traveller, they are watching us! We are preaching without ever opening our mouth to the unsaved around us. That is an awesome responsibility. Selah.

[Guest Windshadow]

OneAccord,

I'll take a look at that site....

HOLYBOLDNESS has never sent anyone to hell!!!!!!!!

ws

[Green Darner]

OneAccord,

I feel like you just gave my testimony lol! I, too, was saved in 2001 and feel this is a time of preperation. It seems that I can't get enough of studying the bible. I'm also trying to overcome and become more bold verbally. Hang in there - it will happen!

I agree with you that actions can speak much louder than words - especially when witnessing to the unbeliving. I became a Christian before my husband and came across this verse that seemed to leap off the page at me:

"Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word , they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives."

I Peter 3:1

At the time I remember thinking - Oh WOW, this is about my husband and me! That's when the bible became very personal for me. So, I would let my actions speak for me (besides I had so many questions myself - how could I speak with confidence?). As I changed, (and found out some answers ) he started to ask me questions and I would just smile and tell him I was studying the bible. Then one day (I guess curiosity got the best of him LOL) he mentioned he wanted to take a look at that bible. When I was getting me and the kids ready to go to the church for the first time, he asked where we were going all dressed up. I told him "to church" and then went about getting the kids ready and he said "I think I'll go with you next Sunday." before he went to bed. (He works the 7pm to 7am shift so sleeps during the day and is off every other weekend.) Well, he did go to church with us the next Sunday. He was saved shortly after and we were both baptised on the same day.

Oh, sorry to ramble on like that Just my experience of trying to live out a godly life in front of others.

[Green Darner]

Hmmm...guess I got to work on using that bold button thingie...

[Green Darner]

The most common reactions we get are:

They think Christians are very judgemental, narrow-minded and intolerant people.

They feel like Christians are always trying to force their religion on them, shoving it down their throats.

They refuse to accept the fact that Jesus is the ONLY way, they are deeply rooted in their beliefs that all paths lead home.

They can't understand how a loving, merciful God could also be a God of wrath and the concept of hell is just too evil to accept.

They think that Christians are hypocritical. That most don't live by Jesus' teachings.

They think that Christians are represented by fancy church building, preachers in suits and ties with big collection baskets out for their money.

Ah, yes, I hear the same thing. (where's that little smilie nodding his head in agreement when you need him?)

Do you ever feel like shaking them and saying "UNDERSTAND, UNDERSTAND, UNDERSTAND!!!" Well, that's what I feel like doing anyway. Then, (usually instantly) I remind myself that I was exactly like that - I thought those exact things at one time. Thank you Lord for having patience with me back then!

[OneAccord]

Hi Green Darner.

We probably got a lot in common, because I noticed from other posts you have a very atheist mom and I grew up in a very atheist home and my dad is still very atheist and he lives with us off and on during the year. He's here all summer until Sept or Oct and I live with a lot of comments from him.

About the list of reactions we get from unbelievers, yes, I certainly remember how I used to have those same knee-jerk reactions myself. therefore I understand where these folks are at, and I really think the traditional witnessing styles that are taught in the churches don't necessarily work on these folks. These folks are watching us, not listening to us.

I got led to the Lord by an unbeliever, not by a Christian witnessing to me. I was in dire straits, my life was caving in on me and I believe something was trying to kill me, and this friend told me maybe I should pray to Jesus or something. So that night I did, I was desperate to try anything, none of my old stuff was helping me at all. Boy did I ever get more than I bargained for when I cried out to Him!!!!!!!!!!!

BTW, I love stories about couples getting saved within a close timeframe like yours.

[Green Darner]

One Accord,

Yes, it does sound like we have had similar experiences - maybe it's just a "southern thing

He's here all summer until Sept or Oct and I live with a lot of comments from him.

Wow, that must be pretty tough at times. Don't know if I could live with my dad. Love him? Yes. Visit him every Sunday? Yes. But live with him?

Boy did I ever get more than I bargained for when I cried out to Him!!!!!!!!!!!

The Lord sure works in mysterious ways doesn't he!

[OneAccord]

He's here all summer until Sept or Oct and I live with a lot of comments from him.

Wow, that must be pretty tough at times. Don't know if I could live with my dad. Love him? Yes. Visit him every Sunday? Yes. But live with him?

Yeah well, like I said, the Lord has given me a challenge to walk in Him and in His testimony daily. I try to see the blessing in it.