Knowing How and When to Witness

It is often difficult to approach people about strong held beliefs you may have. People with such beliefs are generally people whose entire life is centered around Yahweh and thus Holy Scripture. We want to make sure and tell people about the beliefs we hold dear in our hearts, but at the same time do this without making others feel uneasy. This is a difficult harmony to achieve.

Now I'm not promoting anything like postmodernism where we have to walk on "eggshells" everytime we talk to a person about the Bible, but I am saying that we ought to make sure we are following the admonition of Paul in Second Timothy:

"But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. The Lord's slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil's trap, having been captured by himn to do his will." [2 Timothy 2:23-26]

When we witness to others who may vary from our position we hold passionately are we gentle, patient, and able to teach? I guarantee you that someone hearing a position in gentleness will be more apt to listen. We must realize this, and even realize that at times people are truly in the "Devil's trap" as Paul tells us, yet it is these type people that we must speak to in a gentle manner.

I would just make this suggestion: the next time you discuss Scripture with a person make the effort to be gentle and patient. Watch the effects of Yahweh's inspired word come to fruition as you do.

Matthew Janzen