Tips on Witnessing

We are the light of the world.  If our light is hidden, what good is it?  (Mt. 5:14-16)

Light of the World

What does it mean to be the light of the world?  Is light intrusive?  Consider how a lamp lights a room.  When on, it casts out darkness around it.  Flowing from the source, the light spreads out with its influence fading the farther you get away from it.

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When we are filled with the Holy Ghost, living for God, then we brighten the room.  Anyone who comes around us notices the light.  Paul explains this as our spirit bearing witness with each other (Rom. 8:16).  Even the non-believers notice something different, something warm, as opposed to the cold darkness in which they dwell.

Seeing this difference, people can then choose to come to the light source.  When a sinner walks into a church, they are suddenly in a well-lit room.  Everything about the environment changes.

In our homes, on the job, or wherever we are, we have that same potential to change the spiritual environment around us.  If we light up a room, the people around us see and feel the effects of our light, but as soon as we leave, they are back in darkness.  A lamp can shed as much light as it wants to on a person while he is standing there, but as soon as that person leaves the room, he is back in darkness. 

That is why it is up to those in darkness to choose to come into and accept into their lives the light of God, which is Jesus Christ.  Preaching and witnessing only does good when that person wants to come into the light.  To me, Jesus is telling us to be ourselves, let God shine through us in love and mercy, and our very presence will bring people to Him. 

We fish men by attracting them with our Light, not by complaining about their sins every time we see them.  We are His watchmen by answering questions and warning people of the coming judgment, not by judging and condemning them.  We are God’s messengers of salvation, not the judge, jury, and executioner of our fellow man.

So next time you feel a tug from the Lord to witness, try keeping these tips in mind as you demonstrate your faith.

• Focus on drawing in as opposed to spreading abroad your faith;
• Be friendly and inviting, always open to conversation or helping others;
• Let your example be louder than your words;
• Focus the conversation on Christ, not on what a person has or has not done;
• Be happy as you share:  tone and body language say more than words;
• Focus on your relationship with God by giving examples of how God has helped you;
• Be honest and sincere;
• Make it clear that your God is real and not a lifestyle choice you decided to try one day;
• Invite, not pressure, the person to join you in worship;
• Be respectful of the person's right to reject Christ;
• Sincerely listen to what the person has to say, even if it is against Christ;
• Be willing to answer any question about the faith:  if you do not know the answer, say that you will find out, and actually find it out and get back to the person;
• Never argue over Scripture but instead listen calmly to accusations and try to understand what is motivating the person to reject Christ;
• Always be open to the leadership of the Spirit.

I trust these tips give you a better idea of how to approach witnessing.  As with any work for the Lord, remember to pray at the moment of witnessing for God to give you the right thing to say to touch that person's heart.  Something as simple as silently praying, "Lord, give me the words," before you open your mouth can go a long way.

May God bless you in your endeavor to draw others to the faith.