Witnessing Question

[Morgan]

Here's my question/problem. I'm hoping others have a similar situation and have learned how to deal with it successfully - one way or another.

There are people in my life, both friends and family, who state they are Christians; But except for going to church on Sunday, they don't consider God in their lives in any way.

God has His 'place' and that is at church and in weddings and funerals and in a crisis. Otherwise, they are 'good' people and all good people go to heaven. As for Jesus, He has the role as a superlative in their vocabulary when things go wrong (if you get what I am saying) and Jesus is in no way God (in their words, not mine). Jesus was a wonderful teacher, end of story and the Bible is not to be taken literally (again, their words not mine).

I have learned to not bring Him up under any circumstances. If I do - I am told that I am either 'a fanatic' or 'How dare you infer .........!' is what I have heard.

1. We will know them by their fruits. So if someone has absolutely no sign of being a follower of the Lord, but if we try to witness to them, we are told we are offending them for 'judging' them. What do we do?

2. How do we relate or witness to people who call themselves a Christian but have no evidence thereof?

3. Are we not to judge them and assume they are saved because they say they are? Do we have any scriptural justification for pursuing that further? Or should we not cast pearls on the swine?

I could really use some input on this. Thanks! :):

[Werner]

Here's my question/problem. I'm hoping others have a similar situation and have learned how to deal with it successfully - one way or another.
It can be very difficult. :sad

My family and friends have come to expect me to say something, to bring up prophecy and God's Word, and to defend the Christian Faith... So I have the opposite problem more often than naught. They say "That's just John being John" and nod their heads and smile politely and go on about their business. Sure, they call me and email me when something big happens, but aside from that they try and remain within their comfort zones. (Edit: Some of my family and friends love to talk about God and prophecy, so this is about the ones that give me the glazed look, not all of my family and friends...)

The Lord has given me opportunities to witness to my unsaved friends and bring up issues, like prophecy and the end times, but aside from those times they really don't have ears for it.


1. We will know them by their fruits. So if someone has absolutely no sign of being a follower of the Lord, but if we try to witness to them, we are told we are offending them for 'judging' them. What do we do?
Pray for them.

If I'm in serious doubt of someone I ask the Lord to do whatever it takes, to use me or anyone else that they will listen to, even a complete stranger in a random encounter, any event, anything... because without Christ they are already dead.

When the Holy Spirit leads you to say or do something to confront them, even if in a small way, or a way that is just as a casual observation not needing a response, do it. If it goes poorly, let it. Time is a factor, and they may need that push and anger to get them to stop and think. They will get over their anger eventually. Just be open to whatever the Holy Spirit leads you to do.


2. How do we relate or witness to people who call themselves a Christian but have no evidence thereof?
First pray about it.

Then it depends on the person. Some I can confront easily, others require some careful consideration or they will never listen to a word I say again.


3. Are we not to judge them and assume they are saved because they say they are? Do we have any scriptural justification for pursuing that further? Or should we not cast pearls on the swine?
Ask them to pray for someone... that the person (and make it a real prayer request, not a made up person) will come to know Christ and accept the free gift of salvation so they can be with us in eternity and escape hell. You don't have to ask them to pray with you right then, ask them to add them to their prayers when they pray to the Lord before they go to bed, or when they next talk to Him.

Their response will speak volumes. :nod


I could really use some input on this. Thanks! :):
Hope it helps! :hug

Note: This is about people we know well and not strangers. Not online friends.

[Morgan]

Thank you Werner. I especially like the suggestion of asking them to pray for someone else to come to know the Lord. That would be a valid way to learn more. I have a feeling I will get the 'groan.' But it is a good suggestion. But for some it may make them stop and think about the importance of taking this seriously.

I am so frustrated with them all putting God on the shelf. I heard the expression 'domesticating God' I thought that really hit the nail on the head for how some of them view Him. I fear they have a rude awakening coming if they do not see things differently.

I love them and want them to have the same bright future we do.

Thank you again! Great ideas!

[Gray Fox]

Here's my question/problem. I'm hoping others have a similar situation and have learned how to deal with it successfully - one way or another.

There are people in my life, both friends and family, who state they are Christians; But except for going to church on Sunday, they don't consider God in their lives in any way.

God has His 'place' and that is at church and in weddings and funerals and in a crisis. Otherwise, they are 'good' people and all good people go to heaven. As for Jesus, He has the role as a superlative in their vocabulary when things go wrong (if you get what I am saying) and Jesus is in no way God (in their words, not mine). Jesus was a wonderful teacher, end of story and the Bible is not to be taken literally (again, their words not mine).

I have learned to not bring Him up under any circumstances. If I do - I am told that I am either 'a fanatic' or 'How dare you infer .........!' is what I have heard.

1. We will know them by their fruits. So if someone has absolutely no sign of being a follower of the Lord, but if we try to witness to them, we are told we are offending them for 'judging' them. What do we do?

2. How do we relate or witness to people who call themselves a Christian but have no evidence thereof?

3. Are we not to judge them and assume they are saved because they say they are? Do we have any scriptural justification for pursuing that further? Or should we not cast pearls on the swine?

I could really use some input on this. Thanks! :):

I know so many people like the ones you described. They all claim to be 'Christian' in that they are not pagan, satanic, Hindu, Budda, Islamic, etc. In reality they don't have any understanding, in spite of what I've told them, what a true born again Bible believing Christian really is. They refuse to listen.

Their favorite word is 'interpretation'. They say, you interpret the Bible your way and I'll interpret it my way. Some don't believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but they still claim to be Christian. Some say their are many ways to Heaven. Some think if you live a good life, go to church and do good things, then since God is love He can't turn His back on that.

Talking to them is like talking to a brick wall.

This is an example of a conversation I had with one of them who claims to be Christian. I don't remember how, but the song 'How Great Thou Art' came up in our talk.

(him) 'There's something about that song I don't like.'

(me) 'How could you not just love that song?'

(him) 'I don't know, there's just something about it I don't like'.

(me) Perhaps you are not ready to acknowledge the power, honor, glory and majesty that our Creator deserves and are not willing to fully submit to Him?'

(him) 'No, no, that's not it. I just can't put my finger on it'.

All I can do is pray for them, and keep trying to get the message to them.

[Mailman Dan]

You can do more than pray for them.

Start by listening to this..

http://www.livingwaters.com/listenwatch2.shtml

True and False conversion is a good audio on the subject. At some point, help them do a self examination of thier "walk." I'm glad someone did it with me..


BTW, for those who use WAY Of The Master materials, theyare getting raided for the million dollar bill gospel tracts by the secret service, who is now saying they might look into coutnerfit charges. (although its clearly a gospel tract):doh


Dan~~~>knows those are very easy tracts to give out (everyone wants one)

[Morgan]

You can do more than pray for them.

Start by listening to this..

http://www.livingwaters.com/listenwatch2.shtml

True and False conversion is a good audio on the subject. At some point, help them do a self examination of thier "walk." I'm glad someone did it with me..


BTW, for those who use WAY Of The Master materials, theyare getting raided for the million dollar bill gospel tracts by the secret service, who is now saying they might look into coutnerfit charges. (although its clearly a gospel tract):doh


Dan~~~>knows those are very easy tracts to give out (everyone wants one)

I have listened to that every day. The problem with these people is if I mention a thing about God, I get attitude. Either that I think I am more rightous than them or that I am judging them.

Do you know of one of their presentations that speak directly to the 'deceived' person who thinks they are fine?

Actually, I think one of their presentations Ray says that he would much rather talk to someone who claims no belief at all then ones who say they are a Christian but don't have a clue and the kicker is - they don't want to. They have all their defenses ready for anyone who dares to shine a light.

But Jesus said we should be clever. So I am looking for 'clever'. I really like some of the suggestions so far.

It really is apples and oranges - talking to an unbeliever who knows who they are than one who is deceived into thinking their fine when their not.

[Gray Fox]

In addition to my comments in post #4, Scripture can be shown to them all day long and for those who say that God didn't write it, it doesn't mean anything to them. Then some say I've interpreted it all wrong.

But these people still claim to be Christian. How does one deal with that?

[Morgan]

I know so many people like the ones you described. They all claim to be 'Christian' in that they are not pagan, satanic, Hindu, Budda, Islamic, etc. In reality they don't have any understanding, in spite of what I've told them, what a true born again Bible believing Christian really is. They refuse to listen.

Their favorite word is 'interpretation'. They say, you interpret the Bible your way and I'll interpret it my way. Some don't believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, but they still claim to be Christian. Some say their are many ways to Heaven. Some think if you live a good life, go to church and do good things, then since God is love He can't turn His back on that.

Talking to them is like talking to a brick wall.

This is an example of a conversation I had with one of them who claims to be Christian. I don't remember how, but the song 'How Great Thou Art' came up in our talk.

(him) 'There's something about that song I don't like.'

(me) 'How could you not just love that song?'

(him) 'I don't know, there's just something about it I don't like'.

(me) Perhaps you are not ready to acknowledge the power, honor, glory and majesty that our Creator deserves and are not willing to fully submit to Him?'

(him) 'No, no, that's not it. I just can't put my finger on it'.

All I can do is pray for them, and keep trying to get the message to them.

This post is almost a mirror of what I am talking about. Love the dialog! What a perfect example.
The line I underlined and highlighted above is a classic. My sister is really into all the witchcraft shows and movies. When I walk away, she says that I really need to relax and enjoy it - it really isn't 'real.' The next word out of her mouth is it doesn't make her a bad Christian or person because she enjoys the majic of witchcraft. I don't even want to know what that means in her life.

[ub4war]

rely on the Lord---be patient and ask God to give you not only the words
but the opportunity to express what he wants your family to hear
trust in him and cry out to him for a miracle and pray pray pray pray
i hope this helps--when ever some one wants advice i always tell them to ask God

[Morgan]

rely on the Lord---be patient and ask God to give you not only the words
but the opportunity to express what he wants your family to hear
trust in him and cry out to him for a miracle and pray pray pray pray
i hope this helps--when ever some one wants advice i always tell them to ask God

Thank you for your post. Be assured that I have asked the Lord and will not act on any suggestions without His guidance.

But I think it is also wise to seek insights from other members of the body of Christ. Often He uses each of us to communicate in a special way and through our various experiences to one another. Thank you again. :wave

[ub4war]

oh for sure---i do the same here alot too:thumb :): :kiss :tea :peace

[Mailman Dan]

The true and false video in the series was really good. They directly asked people who confessed to be believers, if they thought they should be doing what...well they were doing during the filming....

3 Minutes to live is good, however, you right on the fact that they might accuse you of being judgemental. If you want to be crafty, give them an audio of "What Hollywood Believes." They probably wouldn't mind hearing abit about some wacky actor beliefs, but the gospel is well presented within.


Dan~~~>got a few non-Christians to listen to that one

[Morgan]

The true and false video in the series was really good. They directly asked people who confessed to be believers, if they thought they should be doing what...well they were doing during the filming....

3 Minutes to live is good, however, you right on the fact that they might accuse you of being judgemental. If you want to be crafty, give them an audio of "What Hollywood Believes." They probably wouldn't mind hearing abit about some wacky actor beliefs, but the gospel is well presented within.


Dan~~~>got a few non-Christians to listen to that one

I haven't seen that one - I'll go watch it now - Thanks!
I just love TWOTM