Apathy In The Bible

The hottest places in Hell reserved for those who,

in times of moral crisis,

preserved their neutrality.

-Dante

The ancient Greek word in Strong’s Concordance is apalgeo (524) which means to grieve out, become apathetic, or be past feeling. Thayer’s Definition’s says it like this: to cease to feel pain or grief; to become callous, insensible to pain, and apathetic. This word is only used once in the entire bible in Ephesians 4:19. To get the context of the verse, lets look at a larger view of scripture.

17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. (Ephesians 4:17-19 NKJV)

If we took a look at the above verse, we can see a pattern anyway and a hint of why people are apathetic. For starters, let’s get a firm grasp of the verse in context. Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus between 60 and 62 AD. Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire with a seaport that was so large it was called, “The Gateway to Asia”. The people of Ephesus worshipped all kinds of false idols…particularly to the god Artemis, better known as Diana. Its temple was so large that it was deemed one of the wonders of the ancient world. The people not only worshipped the goddess, but some of their livelihood was based on the making of idols. This is what got Paul and his fellow missionaries in trouble in Acts 18. So the church was made up of the people who came out of this lifestyle. They knew what Paul was talking about when he wrote. They lived it every day.

So, going back to the text, the bible says it’s “as the Gentiles walk”. So our next questions should be, “how do they walk?” As we examine each one, think about how it would be to live back then, and compare it to our own life in present-day America.

They are futile in their mind – Futile meaning “emptiness as to results”.
They have their understanding darkened – meaning their thinking is deprived of light; obscured.
They are alienated from the life of God – to estrange away; become a non-participant in the life God has given you to do.
They are ignorant – or wanting knowledge but never having it.
They are blind in their heart – stupidity, hardness, and callousness. The heart is where moral, rational, and emotional originate.
Given to lewdness, uncleanness, and greediness – and they surrendered themselves to lawless acts. Not struggling with remorse and having no restraints. It’s having a moral impurity with covetousness, always wanting more and never being satisfied.

We as Christians can only wonder about the church and not those who are outside the body of Christ. My concern for us (and that’s me included) is the world becoming more like us, or are we becoming more like the world. Who is influencing who? Are we walking as the Gentiles walk? I am a member of Facebook, and am amazed of how people who call themselves “Christian” have in their popular tv programs, music, and other forms of entertainment. Shows like “Family Guy” and “Southpark” that blaspheme God. Groups and lifestyles that don’t match up to God’s Word, and you can guess what people really love because it’s plastered all over their profile. I have one friend who claims to be “Christian” but on her profile considers herself “spiritual” as to be so vague that it could mean anything and fit in to any worldview that would gladly receive her. I wonder if these same people would be considered Christians in the days of Acts, when Cesar Nero ruled the Roman Empire.

Apathy - The Other Evangelism Killer

All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ,
all hell is terribly afraid of it,
while men are the only beings who more or less ignore it’s meaning.
– Oswald Chambers

In my previous series on fear we learned together what fear is, where it comes from, why we have it, and how to conquer it. But there is another enemy that lurks about wanting to take away our thunder as believers to be the church we were destined to be. Like fear, apathy is probably the only other killer of evangelism today.

What Is Apathy?

According to the Encarta Dictionary of North American English, apathy is the lack of enthusiasm or energy in the interest in anything, or the absence of any wish to do anything. It also means the inability to feel normal or passionate human feelings or to respond emotionally. Its synonyms are even more telling. Words like indifference; lack of concern or interest; lethargy; laziness; and boredom.

In modern Greek, apatheia, literally means “absence of passion”, “insensibility”, or “coolness”.



The graph to the left is the mental state between challenge level and skill level from a psychologist’s point of view, but can still be used to illustrate a typical problem in the church. As you can see we already have dealt with fear (anxiety) and even worry, though not at the level of anxiety, thus fears nonetheless. With fear and worry you see that the challenge level is from medium to high, with the skill level being the lowest on the scale. The Christian sees the need and desire to win souls, but doesn’t have (or think they have) the skills to do the task. One excuse might be “I don’t know enough”, where with apathy, both challenge and skill level is at the lowest on the scale. This means that the person is not skilled at all, and failing to be challenged to do so and whose excuse is plainly, “I don’t know…and I don’t care.”

I think of the modern church today when it comes to apathy and evangelism. Christians (and I say loosely) don’t know how to witness and care not to learn. A couple years ago when my friend Tony held an evangelism course in my church of 75 people, only three showed up. That means that only 4% of the church came to the course. Unfortunately it was one of the reasons why he left. The only bad thing is that even though he went to a larger church and had more people come to his class, it was still about 4% of the entire congregation which tells me that apathy crosses denominational lines as well. It’s not only a problem in one denomination or group, but the church as a whole.

Where should the Christian church be in the above diagram? Shouldn’t it be in FLOW? As a Christian, don’t you have a desire to see 6 billion people saved? Aren’t you challenged to see that come to pass? With two people dying every second (150,000 people/day), doesn’t that seem like an overwhelmingly important task? Even if you have family and friends who are unsaved, wouldn’t you like to spend eternity with them and be assured they are saved from God’s wrath in hell? So why do we feel apathy much of our lives?

Do you know why I am doing this blog? It’s because I need to be freed from apathy just like the next person. I struggle with apathy on a daily basis as much as much as I struggle with fear. My spirit is always at war with my flesh, and my flesh with my spirit. Personally, I am tired of it. In my spirit I want that passion and desire to see 6 billion people saved. I want to see bars and strip clubs shut down and hold bible studies. I want to see a person who hated Jesus Christ metamorphosisized by the power of the Holy Spirit and totally be sold out for God. Wouldn’t you like to see that happen? Just think a worldwide revival. If I can help myself along with others who are like minded…then I will do it…and God be glorified in it.

So mighty man or woman of valor…let’s break the bondage of apathy and live the life we were destined to live. To God be the glory.

Ways To Conquer Fear In Witnessing - What You Know About God Will Determine How You Respond To Fear

“We fear men so much, because we fear God so little. One fear causes another. When man’s terror scares you, turn your thoughts to the wrath of God.” - William Gurnall

This is probably the most biblical answer to conquering fear. Not only what the Lord HAS done for me, but what He WILL do for me in the future. We need to rely on God in His promises and what He said he will do. And why would we trust that God would help us? We need to trust in how God describes Himself in the Bible.

A Consuming Fire
Deuteronomy 4:24; 9:3
Hebrews 12:29

A Fortress
2 Samuel 22:2
Psalms 18:2; 91:2; 144:2
Nahum 1:7

A Defense
Psalm 5:11; 31:2
Isaiah 31:5; 37:35
Zechariah 9:15; 12:8

A Refuge
Exodus 33:22
Deuteronomy 33:27
Psalms 27:5; 31:20; 46:1; 71:3
Isaiah 25:4
Zechariah 9:12

A Shield
Genesis 15:1
Deuteronomy 33:29
Psalms 33:20; 84:11; 115:9

But it’s not just what God says about Himself in His Word, but also what He says about believers in Him. It’s important to understand what our relationship with the Lord is. It should be noted in the following that there are more instances where God calls us these things. Writing them all down would make this blog too long. There are more than likely other words that God describes Himself and us. God in His Word calls us:

The Bride of Christ
Isaiah 62:5
2 Corinthians 11:2
Revelations 19:7; 21:2; 22:17

Children of God
Romans 8:16-21; 9:26
1 John 3:10

Sons of God
John 1:12
Romans 8:14
Galatians 4:7
Philippians 2:15
1 John 3:1

Heirs of God
Romans 8:17
Titus 3:7

If we are the bride of Christ; children, sons, and heirs of God, wouldn’t you think that God would take care of us? Even though I don’t have children, I have a wife. If anyone messes with my wife, they mess with me. The Lord knows what we can deal with, and the extent of the trials we will face. But you may not be convinced of this promise yet. We see the heart of God’s faithfulness as our provider in Matthew 6:25-34, and as our Father who is looking for us in the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7), the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10), and the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). In Romans 8:28 reads, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purposes”. No matter how bad the situation is for us, God will use it for His good.

So if this is all true, then what does God’s Word say about giving in to fear. What does this mean? It means that we do not trust in His faithfulness and we call Him a liar.

Revelation 21:7-8 – He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolotars, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Of all these sins worthy of eternal hell, cowardly leads the pack. Why is that? Cowardly, in the King James is fearful. In Greek, it is deilos, which is having a fear that keeps you from doing a thing. The word is also used in Matthew 8:26 and Mark 4:40 which talks about when the disciples when they were fearful of being on the stormy waters of the Sea of Galilee. Why is that so important? Our courage is fueled by our faith in God. If we lack courage, it’s only because we lack faith. If we lack faith, we insult the integrity of Almighty God.

So today, think about God. Meditate on His power, might, and Holiness. When you feel scared, and fear about sharing your faith, think of the One who you are glorifying as you talk about Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. Think about it, you are giving glory to God, worshipping Him as you share your faith. It can't get any better than that.

Ways To Conquer Fear In Witnessing - Suffer With Courageous Chrisitians

We are not just to be growing with and fellowshipping with other believers, but also doing the will of God, and work of God with them. Learning and studying with fellow believers is a good thing, but actually applying it to our walk is even better. Even when we suffer, strive, and painfully go through it together. James 1:22 says that we are to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

My same bold Christian friends not only encourage me to go and share the gospel, but they actually go with me. We have been through much. When people have ripped up my tracts and thrown them in my face…they were there. When I was yelled at and ridiculed during a St. Patrick’s Day parade and an overzealous homosexual got in my face and took out his aggression on the one Christian that came his way…my friend was there to pull me back up. The reason why we are so close, is that we experience the same things because we are doing it together. I understand how my friends hurt, and they understand me. We feel it together.

“Do you feel like you are not as close to people in the church as you would like to be? Do you feel as though the church is not as productive as it should be? Do you feel distant, and useless at times in your walk?” The only way people can grow together spiritually is that they disciple one another and grow closer through suffering for the gospel. I am closer to the people I suffer with on the street than with those of my home church. There’s something to be said about suffering together for the gospel.

Paul, in 2 Timothy 1:8 asks Timothy, his protégé to, “share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.” Share with me is a word translated as Strong’s # 4777, “to suffer hardship in company with. Be partaker of afflictions.” The “together part” of that is from Strong’s # 4862 which is one of the strongest bonds a person has with another. Denotes union together, but much closer than #3326 or #3844. It’s by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, and instrumentality. It’s close, not casual, bonding as one. True fellowship is true discipleship.

Wow, wouldn’t you want a connection like that with the people of your fellowship? Who wouldn’t want that?

So how does one find courageous Christians? Start doing what God wants you to do in the first place and they will come. Pray and seek God to bring people to you to help, guide, and even to be led by you. Seek out the evangelism ministry of your local church and ask what programs are available to you to be a productive soul-winner for Christ. And when the opportunities do come up, don't back down, but be bold and step out of your comfort zone, and God will use you in mighty ways. Don’t give up searching for like-minded people for help.

Ways To Conquer Fear In Witnessing - Fellowship With Courageous Christians

9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NKJV)

A good place to find that encouragement is from other people who have courage themselves. I have a select few of Christian friends who would go, and have gone with me at any time and fulfill the great commission arm in arm with me. These are some bold men and women who encourage me to step out of my comfort zone and do what God has called me to do. Even though each of us has different gifts, strength, and weaknesses, we complement each other where we fall short. The interesting part is that we are all of different denominations, but Christians none the less.

As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
(Proverbs 27:17 NKJV)

Help each other out. Get to know one another, and how to help those who need it. Help others to be better at evangelism. Encourage one another in the gifts that they were given. When they fall short, pick them up and dust them off. I need encouragement. There are many times I come away from a witnessing encounter that has just been aweful, or I just don't feel like going out and doing it. If I need it, I know there are others who do too.

Ways To Conquer Fear In Witnessing - Let Love Swallow Your Fears

One of the conquerors to fear is just having love. Agape love is not self-preservation love which in itself is selfish, but a love for the other person you are witnessing to. It’s a sacrificial love. Love for the other person should help us take any pressure from people who stand against the bible, and biblical truth. Not only love for the other person who we are witnessing to, but also love for the Lord Himself, and being obedient to the calling He has given us.

1 John 4:17-19 – Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.

A couple of years ago my wife was sick and had to get a spinal tap and opted not to have the blood patch (which if you don’t receive a blood patch it can be extremely painful). Her mother was living in Illinois was clinically depressed and also very fearful of driving. But the love she had for her daughter overpowered her fear of driving, and she drove the entire eight hours to Iowa.
Having a love for the person you are witnessing to should overpower any fear we have in seeking and saving that which is lost. If you don’t feel love for others, ask God to give you His heart in the matter.

When I come across lost people, many ask me, “If God is such a loving God, why is it that He sends people to hell to punish them forever?” God gave them a way out through Jesus Christ, they just choose to deny it, and want another way.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

God doesn’t want people to go to hell, and neither do I. Do you really believe that verse? I mean really believe it? Love others and live out the verse and go share your faith while you still have time.

Ways to Conquer Fear In Witnessing - Think Ahead And Reflect

There are only two times you can think about a conversation and reflect on it. Before it starts, and after it ends. That’s it. I’m not talking about the “what if’s”, but preparation.

Think Ahead Of The Situation

There are some things that you can do to prepare before a conversation takes place.

1. Meditate on the Word. Read the Word, think and ponder what it says, then apply it to your life. Like chewing the cud. Read (eat), meditate (chew), put it in your heart (swallow), remember (regurgitate), then chew and the cycle starts over. It’s also known as musing if you are a reader of the old King James Version. Joshua was told to meditate on the Word (Joshua 1:8). David mediated on God’s Word (Ps 1:2; 63:6; 77:12; 119:15, 23, 48, 78, and 114). Ways to meditate on scripture can be found here thanks to Don Whitney of The Center For Biblical Spirituality.
2. Carry a New Testament with you wherever you go. You can find a pocket New Testament at your local Christian or used bookstore. Or you can get one from Gideon’s International. You would be amazed at how often you can read God’s word when you carry it with you. I carry one from Gideon’s International and I read it when I am standing in line, or in the bathroom, or even when I am waiting for a plane. Anytime I have even a few minutes, I am thumbing through the pages of God’s Word.
3. Learn how to share your faith. Thanks to the internet, there is a wealth of information available to us to help us share our faith. Websites like Living Waters, Custom Tract Source, and Pocket Testament League are good websites that have online training, books, and tracts available for you.
4. Practice answering questions that may be posed to you. How would you answer tough questions from homosexuals, atheists, evolutionists, and new agers? How would you answer cults and false teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Christian Science? One way to practice is to have a conversation in your head, and answer your own questions. Also role playing with a friend is very helpful too to get even more people involved.

Reflect On Your Conversation

1. After you have had a conversation with someone, reflect on it.
2. What was something you should have said?
3. What was something you shouldn’t have said?
4. How was your tone of voice, posture, or approach?
5. What was something that they said that you need to get information on?

You may be thinking to yourself that’s a lot to remember, and that it gets away from being led by the Holy Spirit. What I am suggesting is that you learn from the experiences…not be worried about them. Practice makes perfect. Even though we are not called to be perfect, we are called to be faithful. The more you do it, the easier it gets. Years ago when I was struggling as a new evangelist I kept a journal of my experiences and what I needed to learn. It helped me in my growth and I contribute alot of what I learned by realizing things and writing them down.

As always these are just suggestions how to get better and work out what God has already given you. If you have a better idea, or something different to share with me please do. I am no expert, and I enjoy "talking shop" and learning from people who may know something I don't.

Ways To Conquer Fear In Witnessing - Kill Fear With Logic

Kill Fear with Logic

WWSD (what would Spock do?) Think about it…if fear is illogical (from a previous blog), kill the fear with logic. Is it logical to be afraid to witness to a 70 year old and be worried they will beat up a 30 year old you? I doubt it. Not only can you run away, but defending yourself would be easy. And who says you have to witness to people you feel uncomfortable talking to. Start with people you feel comfortable with…and go from there. Crawl before you walk, and walk before you run.

What if God puts it on your heart to leave a tract on a table, or go talk to that grandmother sitting on a park bench? He didn’t ask you to open-air preach. He didn’t ask you to talk to a gang of teenagers in a bad neighborhood. He didn’t ask you to witness to 100 people today. He asked you to leave a tract. He asked you to talk to a grandmother on a park bench. She's not going to knife you to death, she's not going to beat you up, and she probably won't chase you down the street. Ask yourself, "What is the worst that could happen in this moment?" The absolute worst that could happen is that she ignores you and walks away. But what she really is walking away from is not you, but Christ. We are not called to be successful at witnessing, but to be obedient to do it.

God knows us better than we do. Do the simple things God tells you to do. Start experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. Don’t quench the fire…fan it.

Ways To Conquer Fear In Witnessing - Don't Feel the Fear...Just Do It.

Don't Feel the Fear...Just Do It!!

Let’s face it…witnessing is not what our flesh wants to do…period. If we are given enough time, we can think of 400 reasons why we shouldn’t go. If you think about what you are doing…the more likely your mind will wander and think about the “what if’s”. The “what if’s” will always get you in trouble (and more than likely negative). But we never ask ourselves, “What if this person gets saved by me sharing the gospel with them?”

Every time I go out to share my faith I go out dragging my feet, and come back clicking my heals...every time. Even when I have had the hardest conversations, I knew I was obedient to what God wanted me to do. I have to say that to date, I never regretted sharing my faith….just regretted not sharing my faith.

Do you know which tract is the hardest to give out? It’s the very first one. When Tony and I go out passing out tracts or witnessing, the first person we see as we get out of the car gets a tract, even if we are not at our ultimate destination yet. We don’t stop and think about it.

A couple weeks ago before my shift at work I went open-air preaching with my friends at Des Moines Downtown Farmers Market. As soon as Paul was done preaching, I was on the box next. Why is that? Hesitation to fear is like wood to a fire. Hesitation feeds fear and only makes it stronger.

What are you waiting for? Give that tract out, talk to that family member about the Gospel. Here’s some homework for you to do. First, verbally say hello to 3 strangers. Next, try to engage the next person in a conversation about anything (weather, news, sports). I find it the best to talk about my surroundings and what is going on right in front of me (dogs at the petstore, jewelry a person is wearing, an interesting tattoo they have). If you feel comfortable, move it to the spiritual. But the key is to have that conversation. If needful…use a gospel tract as a door opener. But always end the day by doing it.

Just do it, is a trademark of Nike. Nike is the Greek word for “victory”. Have a victorious day and go share your faith while you still have time.

Ways To Conquer Fear In Witnessing - Change your perspective on risk

Change Your Perspective On Risk

Instead of saying, “If I witness to this person, what do I have to lose?” (Your life, your job, your friends) Say, “If I witness to this person, what do I have to gain?” (A brother/sister in Christ, being obedient to God). Why does witnessing always be associated with a negative feeling? Why do we as Christians focus on the negative? How do you feel about the following verses?

1 Peter 4:12-14 – Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.

Matthew 5:11-12 – Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Luke 6:22-23 – Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

Wow, wouldn’t you love to have the Spirit of glory and of God rest upon you. Wouldn’t you love to have great rewards in heaven, or even glorify God in being reproached for His name sake? It would be to God as worship. I would take that any day of the week. For even if we suffer…it would be a win / win situation.

Ways To Conquer Fear In Witnessing - Change your perspective on fear

Change Your Perspective On Fear

Instead of thinking what would happen to you if you share your faith (get beat up, made fun of, yelled at), think about what would happen if the other person you want to talk to doesn’t receive Christ (enslavement to their sin, eternity in hell, separated from God forever). Think about it…no matter where a person is who died, they will be there longer than 999,999,999,999 centuries (100 years). Let’s face it…it’s a long time to be wrong.

And what do we know about hell? Here are some descriptions of hell from the bible.

• A lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
• A place of everlasting burnings (Isaiah 33:14)
• A bottomless pit (Revelation 20:1).
• Where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched (Mark 9:43-48).
• A place of torment (Luke 16:22-24).
• A place of everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46).
• Weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 24:51).
• A place of weeping and outer darkness (Matthew 8:12).
• Everlasting fire (Matthew 25:41).
• A place where people wail (Matthew 13:42).
• A place where people have no rest (Revelation 14:11).
• A place where people gnaw their tongues (Revelation 16:10).

Just meditating on what hell is like, should move us to reach out to the lost and share our faith. And who goes to hell? The bible says:

• Those who are not found written in the book of life (Revelation 20:15)
• The wicked (Psalm 9:17).
• He who does not believe in Jesus (John 3:18.

Lord, help us to change our perspective on fear. Help us to swallow our fears and seek to save that which are lost no matter what happens to us…it is not even close to what will happen to those who do not know Christ.

Penn Gillette gets a gift of a Bible

Conquering Fear - What Do We Fear?

In order to really grasp fear, and look it in the eye, we need to realize what we fear, and the situations when fear arises. Though, for sake of time and space I have limited this to sharing your faith. I understand we have fear in many other areas in ministry…but in the end, when we boil everything down, you can use how to conquer fear in other areas of ministry, and the reasons for them.

REASONS WHY PEOPLE DON’T SHARE THEIR FAITH
I’ve compiled a list of reasons why people don’t share their faith, and fear being the cause of most of them. The other “cause” we will see later.


I Fear I Will Suffer

Well, in my opinion (I speak as a man)…tough. Let’s face it; you will suffer for the gospel. In my “calling” as an evangelist, I have been yelled at, stuff thrown at me, insulted, ridiculed, made fun of, spit on, laughed at, lost friends over, tracts ripped up and tossed in the river, among other things that I’d rather not mention. But I will say this…to date, I have never had so much as a finger touch me. Though people said they wish that they could kill me, I was never punched, kicked, tortured, stabbed, shot, set on fire, drowned, or mauled. I consider myself blessed in that area.

I wish that I could say that people don’t suffer for their faith in America. People do. There are many Christians who are suffering for the gospel because they are trying to live out their faith in a world that is hostile to Christian ideals and principles.

The Bible has many references to Christians suffering persecution. Here are a few:

2 Timothy 3:12 – And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. (NASB)

Philippians 1:29-30 – For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.


I think of the fate of some of the apostles themselves.

Philip: Stoned to death, Phygia, A.D. 54
Peter: Crucified upside down, Rome, A.D. 69
Paul: Beheaded, Rome, A.D. 69
Andrew: Crucified, Achaia, A.D. 70
Matthew: Beheaded, Ethiopia, A.D. 70
Thomas: Speared to Death, Calmino, A.D. 70
James (the less): Clubbed to death, Jerusalem, A.D. 63
John: Abandoned, Isle of Patmos, A.D. 63

Think of this…if we are the body of Christ, and Christ is the head of that body, why would the world only crucify the head and not the body? It is a blessing that the body suffer persecution. In 1 Peter 4:14 it says that the Spirit of Glory and God rests upon you. Don’t you want the Spirit of God to rest upon you? I sure do. Suffer today for Him, with Him, and rejoice.


I Fear I Will Be Rejected By Others

Though we may not pay a price regarding our lives, but our livelihood. Fear of losing a job, friends, or even family may get in the way of the One Whom we should serve. But in reality, shouldn’t we be fearful of God Whom we have received as LORD and Savior? When we forsook our sins, and came to the blood stained cross and asked for forgiveness we were like dead men risen again. What did those who were risen from the dead when Jesus walked the earth in human form? They were grateful, for those whom were cured from their disease, risen from the dead, they wanted more of Him. Shouldn’t we be like that too? Shouldn’t we be more like them.

The bible talks about what we may lose if we turn to Christ.

Matthew 10:21-22 – “”And brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.”

Matthew 10:34-35 –“Do not think that I came to bring peach on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.”

We might have to give up everything for the cause of Christ. For those who do, will only come blessing from the Lord. The Lord will protect and guide us in our times of trouble.


I Fear That God Won’t Be There When I Need Him

I can’t remember a time where God ever let me down with anything I ever brought before Him. The only thing that I would ever even come close to that would be when my sister died when I begged the Lord to save her. But, ultimately, she let herself down. I, among others, shared Christ with her, numerous times, and numerous times she rejected every attempt. So in reality…who let who down? It wasn’t the Lord. He was faithful to send those who knew the gospel to minister to her. But she denied it every time. I cannot blame Him for that.

In the times that I needed His guidance, mercy, love, kindness and wisdom…the Lord provided abundantly what I needed when I needed it. It’s never what I thought “I” needed, but what God knows I need.

In Hebrews 13:5 it is written by God of Himself: I will never leave you nor forsake you. Do you believe that?

God not only teaches through His Word, but also through circumstances. Sometimes we as humans need to be “shown” something that we just can’t learn by reading.


I Fear That I Don’t Know Enough To Share The Gospel With People

Learn. You may be thinking that was a very insensitive answer. But seriously…in America, we have an overwhelming abundance of resources at our disposal…more than what missionaries in other countries have. We have libraries, books, seminars, classes, internet, DVD’s, CD’s, ministries dedicated to teaching evangelism, and other people who know more than we do. But we learn what we need to know with anything else.

Let’s say that your employer asked you to study for an exam, and whether or not you keep that job is based on the score of that test. What do you think you would do? You would study like crazy. Not only that, but you would be studying throughout the year so when it came time to take the exam…you would be more than prepared.

But with a more sensitive answer…you know more than the lost who don’t know really much if anything about the gospel. As a former Roman Catholic from New Jersey, I never knew what the Bible said about anything. In fact, until a couple months of being a believer, I never even heard of John 3:16…never. If someone would have even shared John 3:16 with me, I may have listened, or at least have the desire to read the Bible, and to know what to read. At least some sort of seed would have been planted in my heart. But it wasn’t until I came to Iowa when God really started to work on me.

But if you do get into a bind and don’t know what to say, a good backup plan is to share your testimony. So with that, know your testimony and how you got saved. No one will ever tell you, “Now that’s not what happened!” How could they? Were they there when it happened? And while you are sharing your testimony, in your mind think of something and pray the Holy Spirit gives you wisdom.

God will hold you more accountable because you live in a place where information is freely given. You will not be able to use this when you come before God on the last day.


I Fear That I May Say the Wrong Thing

Who says you will say the right thing either. I mean…who is the one who converts people anyway…you or the Holy Spirit. If you stick with the basics, and relay them to the other person…you really can’t say anything that will be out of line.

Think about this one. Who is Jesus? Ok, why did He come and die on a cross? What will happen to people who don’t receive Him as Lord and Savior? What is John 3:16 and what does that mean? Let’s face it…it’s not rocket science. How could you mess it up and say the wrong thing?


I Fear I Won't Make Any Sense

To the lost, the gospel doesn’t make sense, and that’s not your fault. But the bible says that because of the hardness of their hearts they cannot understand the things of God. But that shouldn’t keep us from sharing it with them either.

When I was a pagan and lost as lost can be, I remember the first time a person shared the gospel with me. I had just moved to Iowa from New Jersey and went to the Iowa State Fair for the first time. Walking around, I found myself at a booth displaying a model of Noah’s Ark. I thought it was the most fascinating thing, and the man who was in charge came over and talked with me for a while. He gave me a gospel tract and asked me some questions about Jesus Christ. I was Roman Catholic at the time, and I couldn’t understand him no matter how hard I tried…even though I was leaning in to the conversation and really hanging on ever word he said. After an hour I was getting impatient, I grabbed him by both shoulders, looked him straight in the eye and said, “I want to understand what you are telling me, but for some reason I can’t. You might as well be speaking Greek.” When I went home I must have read that tract 50 times front to back, and still it didn’t click. 19 Months later I walked into Heartland Christian Fellowship on March 2, 2003 where the Pastor shared the gospel with me, I understood it, and gave my heart and life to the Lord. Why…I don’t really know. Maybe I wasn’t ready until then to receive it. God only knows. But that shouldn’t stop us from at least sharing it with the Lost.



I Fear Because I Don't Know How To Get Started

Isn’t that with everything though? Really…how does anyone know anything? They learn it. It’s the same thing with sharing your faith. When I got saved I didn’t know either…in fact I used to make fun of people who did. But all I had to get me started was the burning desire in my heart to reach out to the lost, and to tell people of the God who lived within me. I hooked up with a man who has been sharing his faith for years, and learned from him. He discipled me in many areas, and from being under a godly man whom God raised up, I am a better Christian because of it.


I Fear I'll Be A Bad Witness

I can see that if you are a new believer, and really don’t know much, and come from a really rough background that fearing you would be a bad witness would be a thing to think about. You might drop an “F bomb” here and there, light up a cigarette and blow it into the person’s face, and may even start yelling at them when they don’t “get it”. No, I really don’t believe that one either. It’s the people who come from really rough backgrounds that turn to the Lord, and He changes them from the inside out, that really speak volumes about what God is doing in their lives. Take the apostle Paul. A man whom the bible said “ravaged the church of God” and Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, and transformed his life.


ARE THESE REALLY REASONS?

By looking at each reason why some of us don’t share our faith…what we find by going over each one is that they are not reasons…but excuses. Each one of these has been proven to be ineffective in keeping us in fear.

Today…cut the noose of the fear of man with the sword of the spirit. Take the first step in conquering your fear.