Overcoming the Fear to Witness
Hello everybody! I hope this finds you walking in the strength and power of the Lord.
I believe I have been inspired to write on this topic this week because of the marvelous first-time salvation we witnessed in church on Sunday morning! It is always amazing to see the Holy Spirit work on a heart as it responds to His call. I was so glad I was faithful to His leading me to share the Gospel message at the end of my ‘Marriage on the Rock’ sermon.
So want I want to quickly deal with this topic of overcoming the fear to witness to others about Christ and His ability to save.
Fear to evangelize or to witness can be absolutely paralyzing at times, and it thusly does more to hinder our witness that any other single item. Can this fear problem be overcome? Does a person ever get to the point when fear in evangelism is a thing of the past? All of these questions are answered for us in the Bible. Keep in mind though that: Fear in evangelism is normal. It assures you that you are a normal human being.
Paul the apostle requested prayer that “utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19). You mean Paul the apostle is actually requesting prayer for boldness in evangelism after his extensive experience? Most certainly.
So want I want to quickly deal with this topic of overcoming the fear to witness to others about Christ and His ability to save.
Fear to evangelize or to witness can be absolutely paralyzing at times, and it thusly does more to hinder our witness that any other single item. Can this fear problem be overcome? Does a person ever get to the point when fear in evangelism is a thing of the past? All of these questions are answered for us in the Bible. Keep in mind though that: Fear in evangelism is normal. It assures you that you are a normal human being.
Paul the apostle requested prayer that “utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19). You mean Paul the apostle is actually requesting prayer for boldness in evangelism after his extensive experience? Most certainly.
Those who share Christ constantly don’t do it because they are never afraid. They do it because each time they do boldness overtakes fear, instead of fear overtaking boldness. With that in mind, how do we as normal human beings and believers in Christ experience the boldness that overcomes fear?
At least 4 things will help us experience the victory any believer committed to evangelism desires in this area:
Talk to God About Your Fear
As we do so, we are specifically asking God for courage or boldness. The courage that makes us go ahead despite our fears.
Focus on What God Thinks of People, Not on What People Think of You
Fear in evangelism often results in being too self-focused. It results from worrying too much about what others might think of you if you share the Gospel with them. Questions such as, “Will they still be my friend?” “Will they think less of me?” “Will I lose respect?” hinder evangelism. “I” is at the center of all of these worries. Focusing on you becomes distracting at its least, defeating at its worst. If Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice His life for us, we ought to be willing to sacrifice friendship, pride, or respect.
Concentrate on the Beauty of the Message and the Privilege of Being Its Messenger
After what happened in Philippi, Paul easily could have entered Thessalonica with the attitude, “I’m sick of this evangelism stuff. It’s the best way I’ve ever heard of to win enemies and drive away friends. And besides, I’ve never hurt so bad. Why should I invite physical abuse?”
Yet Paul was able to testify, “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict” (1 Thess. 2:2). Unlike other speakers whose messages were full of deceit, uncleanness, and guile, Paul recognized he had only truth and good news, not error and bad news to give them.When a person is so gripped by a message another needs to hear, everything else becomes insignificant in comparison.
Nobody Overcomes Fear Without Evangelizing
Fear in evangelism is never conquered in a classroom. It is only studied in a classroom. To overcome fear, two items are absolutely essential: obedience and experience. Without obedience there never is experience. The first thing Jesus taught His disciples was evangelism. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4: I 9).
Experience teaches us how to prepare for reality. Experience brings skills in evangelism such as how to turn a conversation to spiritual things, how to answer questions and objections, and how to clearly and concisely present the Gospel-all of which are often elements of our fear. More than once a person has said to me, “I don’t mind being rejected. I can handle that. I just don’t know how to answer when someone says. . .” To counter these fears, we need good solid training in evangelism-something few believers have had. There are lessons in evangelism that can only be learned through face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball contact with the lost. So it’s important to get out there and do it!
At least 4 things will help us experience the victory any believer committed to evangelism desires in this area:
Talk to God About Your Fear
As we do so, we are specifically asking God for courage or boldness. The courage that makes us go ahead despite our fears.
Focus on What God Thinks of People, Not on What People Think of You
Fear in evangelism often results in being too self-focused. It results from worrying too much about what others might think of you if you share the Gospel with them. Questions such as, “Will they still be my friend?” “Will they think less of me?” “Will I lose respect?” hinder evangelism. “I” is at the center of all of these worries. Focusing on you becomes distracting at its least, defeating at its worst. If Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice His life for us, we ought to be willing to sacrifice friendship, pride, or respect.
Concentrate on the Beauty of the Message and the Privilege of Being Its Messenger
After what happened in Philippi, Paul easily could have entered Thessalonica with the attitude, “I’m sick of this evangelism stuff. It’s the best way I’ve ever heard of to win enemies and drive away friends. And besides, I’ve never hurt so bad. Why should I invite physical abuse?”
Yet Paul was able to testify, “But even after we had suffered before and were spitefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God in much conflict” (1 Thess. 2:2). Unlike other speakers whose messages were full of deceit, uncleanness, and guile, Paul recognized he had only truth and good news, not error and bad news to give them.When a person is so gripped by a message another needs to hear, everything else becomes insignificant in comparison.
Nobody Overcomes Fear Without Evangelizing
Fear in evangelism is never conquered in a classroom. It is only studied in a classroom. To overcome fear, two items are absolutely essential: obedience and experience. Without obedience there never is experience. The first thing Jesus taught His disciples was evangelism. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4: I 9).
Experience teaches us how to prepare for reality. Experience brings skills in evangelism such as how to turn a conversation to spiritual things, how to answer questions and objections, and how to clearly and concisely present the Gospel-all of which are often elements of our fear. More than once a person has said to me, “I don’t mind being rejected. I can handle that. I just don’t know how to answer when someone says. . .” To counter these fears, we need good solid training in evangelism-something few believers have had. There are lessons in evangelism that can only be learned through face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball contact with the lost. So it’s important to get out there and do it!
There is so much more to this topic but your time is limited. The very important thing is that we at least have a desire to reach those without Christ as Savior. All true believers should feel this way. There is a world that is ‘lost’ without Christ and they need to hear the greatest message of hope they could ever hear–that Jesus Christ came to save them from their sin. If you need more information on How to Overcome Fear in Witnessing please feel free to contact me at btuttle@theharvestchurchinternational.com. We must carry out the great Commission!
God Bless,
Pastor Brad Tuttle
