What Witnessing is NOT!
May we suggest a few “negatives” in a positive manner? This is necessary because many Christians have misconceptions about witnessing and winning the lost to Christ.
1. Witnessing is not button-holing people. There is nothing wrong with approaching people about Christ (even strangers) in a loving, caring manner. It is never right, however, to “come on like gangbusters” or to be rude, blunt and unkind. Jesus is a good example of the right way to witness one-on-one when he dealt with the woman at the well. Jesus has not given us the right to pressure people, to intimidate them, or to ‘get notches on our Gospel guns.” Button-holing is out of place.
2. Witnessing is not a “gift.” Many Christians think soul-winning is a special gift limited to pastors and a selected few laypersons. This is not so! Witnessing is a function of the Christian life just like prayer and worship. Prayer and worship are not “gifts.” Prayer and worship are functions of the Christian walk and every believer should pray and worship the Father. Likewise, every believer should witness and lead others to accept Christ as Savior and Lord. Every church member is just as responsible to witness as the pastor or staff.
3. Witnessing is not “having all the answers.” Many Christians feel they cannot effectively witness because they do not have extensive knowledge of the Bible. Most feel they will be asked something they can’t answer. This leads to the wrong impression that witnessing should be done by the seminary-trained pastor or staff. This feeling comes from an inadequate understanding of what witnessing means.
4. Witnessing is not debating or arguing. It is not a battle of the minds. Witnessing is simply sharing and explaining what Jesus did in your life and leaving the results up to God. You do not need to try and defend that with theology.
Jesus gives us a good illustration of this truth in Mark 5. After the demon-possessed man was cleansed, clothed and in his right mind, he wanted to get into the boat and travel with Jesus. Instead, Jesus sent him back to his hometown to “tell them the great thing God had done for him.” The healed man did, and the people back home were amazed. This man had no seminary training, no theology, and offered no argument. He simply bore witness of the life-changing power of Jesus. He explained what had happened to him and who did it. Every Christian can (and should) do the same.
