Evangelism

By Benedicte Bahjejian

There are many reasons why Christians don't evangelise. Here are some excuses used along with the Biblical answers to help us to overcome:

1. Too tired, too lazy, self-absorbed
Gal 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not lose heart.

Hebr 6:12
We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

+ Eph 2:10, Jn 9:4

2. Afraid of what to say & what to answer/ not convincing
John 14:26
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Isaiah 51:16
And I have put My words in your mouth;
I have covered you with the shadow of My hand,

+ Ex 4:12, Act 18:9-10

We are not the ones convincing people, but the Holy Spirit does. We are just instruments that God uses. We sow and He makes the seed grow.

3. I am confused (or ashamed?)
Mark 8:38
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

If we listen to His voice, God will give us the vision and the confidence. And if we consider how many souls will end up in heaven because they have not heard the Gospel or have rejected it, we will forget our confusion, and we will focus on talking to others about Christ.

4. Too busy
1Tim 2:3-4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

We have many things to do in life, but isn’t it a priority for us to go and talk to others about the God who saved us? If we think we are saved and that it is enough, we are being selfish, because millions of souls are dying every day and we do not do anything to tell them about Christ, or to explain them the true Gospel, if they heard a wrong one.

5. Waiting that God reveals his will to us
Luke 10:2-3
Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest. Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

Mat 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you
James 5:20
Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins

6. Lost of passion/ desire
1Cor 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

It is our love for God and our love for lost souls which will give us the drive to evangelise and witness.

7. I will be mocked, despised, humiliated
Mat 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

8. Lack of confidence
Rom 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Ps 118:6-7
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The Lord is on my side and takes my part, He is among those who help me

God asks us to win souls:
Prov 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who wins souls is wise.
Are we available to do God’s work? Do we have time for Him?
God is waiting for us to do His work, here on earth, or else who will do it?