When's the Best Time to Witness?

[HKHaugan]

Q: When’s the Best Time to Witness?
A: Whenever You Can!

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…(1Pet.3:15).”

There are three parts to this verse, heart, preparation and method. When these are in proper order our witness is secure in Him.

First, the heart.

The first thing to deal with in the heart is fear. In our time we live in an atmosphere where fear of rejection if constant. Of course, we certainly don't want to offend anyone (the easy escape). Nor do we want to look bad. What if I say the wrong thing? What if they ask questions I can't answer? What if they know more than I do? This plus all the 'what if's', the false guardians in the heart. We know by all this that the spirit of fear is hovering. John says this, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear is filled with torment. Whoever fears is not made perfect in love (1Jn.4:18).” The first thing to do is take the spiritual high ground. Every person you meet is an image of God. Some are believers and some are not. When you approach anyone consider them immediately as His image. That way the Holy Spirit is driving your taxi. You will discern where someone stands in a conversation. Trust is the heart part not the hard part when you know the Lord is there with you. This Jesus consciousness, setting Christ apart as Lord of the moment, is the spiritual high ground.

Second, Preparation.

When Lord Baden-Powell began the Boy Scouts the motto they embraced was “Be Prepared!” I’m sure that Peter influenced him. Preparation is critical because you never know when you will be called on.

On one of my Spring study trips to London, my friend and host Michael and I went to a local pub after a long conference day. In England, pubs are the social gathering places where most of the populace goes to share their day, do business or just relax. As we sat and talked we inevitably centered on the topic of the day we had been studying. While we talked there was a man sitting next to us reading his paper. I noticed the more we talked the more he tended to lean our way to hear what we were talking about. Finally he turned to us and said, “You Americans are really all about religion.” I responded that many of us are. This led us into a conversation about why and we found ourselves sharing the Lord with him.

A similar thing happened when Mary and I did a seminar in Oxford after which we drove to a little town in the Cotswolds called Broadway. We stayed at a B&B there and ended up at a local pub for dinner. Pub food is great. That evening we got to know the owner and his wife. As we talked he allowed as how he was head of the town church parish council, a position the same as what we would call a senior warden. As the conversation progressed with the locals (they had no idea as yet that I was a clergyman) we got on the subject of professions. We found in conversation that we were sitting with the local mayor, a Mercedes salesman, and an engineer among others. For whatever reason they decided to guess what I did. They hit everything from doctor to businessman. When finally asked, Mary said I was a clergyman. They were all stunned and the owner said, “You mean he’s a vicar?” It was just about closing time when they had to legally close. The owner stood up went to the front door, locked it, pulled the front window shades down announcing to everyone ‘The rest of the rounds are on us.’ With that we spent another hour witnessing. Be prepared. Everyday we may run into an opportunity the Lord lays before us.

Third, Method.

“But do this (witness) with gentleness and respect...” sets the tone. Remember, you have the high ground especially when dealing with someone who is either a nominal church member or someone who doesn't know Jesus. 'Gentleness' is the willingness to listen to where they are, what their real issues are and getting a feel for their spiritual location. It's a matter of earning their trust. They are images of God either in remission or unaware (that puts your respect in gear). No one was ever pushed, shoved or talked into the Kingdom. It's always the Spirit's work through grace and being graceful, full of grace, is the key.

Your 'high ground' is your testimony, your personal story of how you became a disciple of Jesus. No one can take that from you whether they are professors or strong personalities. Then too, you have Scripture to add to it. That doesn't mean you have the whole Bible in you. Rest in the assurance that the part of Scripture you do know will be used if needed. Let the Spirit guide.

Also, having the Holy Spirit, you will know when to keep a conversation going and when to stop. Most witnessing is seed planting. You don't have to see results. That's the Holy Spirit's job in the Lord's time. Your job is simply to share what God has blessed you with. You never, and I say 'never', judge the value of your witness by other people's responses. Don't let their problems, which are usually hidden deep within, pull you away from the high ground upon which you stand. It was your faith in that moment that God blesses and honors. When you lead in faith you can't make a mistake. If what may appear as an error, the Holy Spirit will let you know and the correction is a learning from Him. You see, when you witness you never lose. You can take that to the bank.