What Prevents People From Evangelizing?

We, as believers, carry around Joy, Freedom, Truth, Forgiveness and Grace. Why do we not share these gifts with those around us?

There are a lot of small things that may be happening, stealing our focus, contributing to us missing opportunities. We may be in a rush from or to an appointment/work/get the kids. May be focused on paying a bill, cashing a check, cleaning the house, meeting a deadline.

Any number of things that can have our immediate focus with a twister of other ‘to do’ lists in one’s mind. These often place us in a state of constant movement and activity and multi-tasking chaos that is often the way we live our lives. We may also suffer from lack of confidence or being ‘overly’ concerned with offending someone.

I can personally share that I would rather offend a person over sharing the Gospel than to have to answer to my Abba for not opening my mouth. We live in today’s world where everyone is offended all the time by everything. My responsibility is to share the Truth from a heart of Agape Brotherly Love that is focused on saving a person’s soul, even if that means the person will be offended.

I am not responsible for managing another’s emotions in regard to accepting Truth. I am responsible for sharing Jesus and giving a reason in and out of season. This is every believer’s responsibility. I wonder what would happen if every believer decided to be intentional to share the Gospel with at least one person every day? The results would be exponential. My prayer is that individuals who may be in the line waiting to cash a check, or pay a bill, or in the waiting room at an appointment, or any place you may find yourself, when the opportunity arises, just plant the seed. You never know, someone else may have planted a seed and you may be the one to cultivate and help it grow. I pray for those of us in active ministry would have our spiritual eyes and ears open, be receptive to the urging of the Spirit as He knows what a person needs, and whom He has place in our paths. Deep calls unto deep.

I’ve been given and developing a deeper than the natural six senses Spirit-led affinity (discernment) to be aware of spiritual unrest in another. It is like I feel a pressure of sorts in my Spirit and as if my mouth must open. I do not know how many times this has happened, and I cannot often recall verbatim the words the Spirit shared, but have remembered the basic message and the residual connection with the person’s vulnerability. In these moments I am always left in Awe as being used by Abba is such a personal Joy and blessing. And no matter the state of growth and trial in my personal walk, as I know I am still such a mess inside but transforming from glory to glory, He faithfully amazes me in that He deems me yet able to be used for the Kingdom. Prayer for wisdom and insight, for more Spiritual clarity are often part of my daily, ongoing communication.

Some Helpful suggestions

Listen. Most people have a willingness to hear what you have to say if you are willing to listen and discern their unspoken need. Often with active listening and Spiritual discernment, an opportunity will present itself. Sometimes just asking a person if you can pray with them once they have shared works for me. In the grocery line, with the cashier, in the parking lot, where ever I go I just be available. I have to concentrate sometimes but it is those times I notice that the best opportunities to just be me makes a huge difference. My love and gratefulness towards God runs deep and I speak about God all the time, to anyone who will listen. I have gotten past the major setbacks of vanity to an acceptance that all I really have is my ability to share my life, my experience, and God is always center stage. I do not apologize when others get uncomfortable. I am really not swayed by popular belief or trend. I am not really afraid, and I am actually spurred on when persecuted. The devil has tried to shut my mouth my whole life. When that did not work, he used worldly distractions and my weaknesses to heap guilt and condemnation, so I was not glorifying Abba with my gift. It has taken a long time to get to this place where I am very mindful of what I allow in because what I feed myself, on every level, will come out. My diet is worship music, the Bible, and faith focused activities, online sermons, school studies, movies. There are times we watch things that are not specifically geared toward faith, but I always find a way to find meaning, bring God front and center. My children have grown accustomed to me, even though they still grumble from time to time. However, if my private life and personal life are both focused on deepening my relationships and being God-honoring, pairing my faith and walk, this is living out loud. I refuse to be an intentional hypocrite in my own home, where it is most vital. I am a progressing overcomer in Christ Jesus! Pursue wisdom and discernment. If any of you lacks wisdom....(James 1:5). It is often a setting of one's mind to act: Making the decision, setting yourself up, being your own cheerleader of sorts. Speak the Word, courageous, of good cheer, to do good works, righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. We are pointing others to HIM, getting out of the way sometimes means getting out of our own way....

Biblical meekness is rooted in the deep confidence that God is for you and not against you. Meek people commit their way to the Lord. They admit that they are insufficient to cope with the complexities and pressures and obstacles of life, and they trust that God is able and willing to sustain them and guide them and protect them.

Psalm 37:7 describes a meek person as having an inner confidence or stillness before the Lord as they wait patiently for Him.

This doesn’t mean they become lazy. It does not mean there are no situational storms. It means that they are free of frenzy. They have a kind of steady inner calm that comes from knowing that God is Omnipotent, that He has their affairs under His control, and that He is gracious and will work things out for the best. Meek people have a quiet steadiness about their lives in the midst of upheaval.

The maturity of meekness appears when the setbacks and obstacles and opponents of life do not produce the kind of bitterness, anger, and fretfulness that is so common in the world today.

Be blessed today. Seek to develop the fruit of meekness in your life