Failed to witness

Postby **Vampi** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 5:46 am

I'm down.....really down........I missed SUCH a great opportunity to witness recently.....I wanted to give the glory to God but the words that came out of my mouth were lame and credited myself more than Him. And I'm guessing this friend of mine doesn't know a thing about Christianity...I don't even think he's heard about it except for the degrading comments our teacher drops. Right now I'm waiting for another opportunity but...I'm wondering what other ppl did to do to cope with this slight depression....

Postby **shooraijin** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 5:36 am

What happened, exactly?

Postby **cbwing0** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:15 am

I suppose the best thing to do would be to try again.

Postby **JediSonic** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:28 am

I had a really good reply worked out yesterday, which I started writing a few seconds before the site went down :lol:

Anyway, if I were you I'd spend some time figuring out at least some of WHAT your going to say BEFORE the next good time to say it comes

And another thing that I was going to say is that I think recognizing the problem is half of fixing it... so don't give up!

Postby **Angel37** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:36 am

I don't quite agree with you Hedgehog-dono. Somewhere in the Bible it says not to worry what you say or how you say it but pray beforehand for the Holy Spirit's guidence and God will place the words in your mouth so, virtually, it'll be God talking and not you. I know how it feels though. Even though God gave me the words, my friend still turned a blind eye to the truth. Pray for their souls and pray for a second oppurtunity for either you or someone else to get to them. Don't worry about how you'll say it. Worry about why. God is not with the godless. Crave witnessing for HIS glory and not yours and God will be with you. I am praying for you.
-Angel of Zarn

Postby **Mave** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:41 am

This happens to me more often than I'd like it to. I've tried to witness but somehow I screw up or miss it. >_< :scolds herself *baka baka baka*:

In this case, I'll pray for courage and wisdom to speak what God wills. Hah, I kinda feel like Moses, who couldn't and didn't dare to speak to the Pharoah. But God used him anyway. XD Don't beat yourself up over this. Do take heart and keep trying & praying while trusting God along the way. God knows your attempts and will use you when the opportunity is right. It's the devil that wants to see you discouraged. So let's not give that loser something to rejoice over, yeah? My two cents. ^^

Postby **Angel37** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:44 am

Lol..."that loser" *saves to memory* I love it!!!!!
-Angel of Zarn

Postby **skynes** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:27 am

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

When God's word is spoken, whether nervously, poorly, mixed up or whatever. It ALWAYS accomplishes what God sent it out to do.

Postby **JediSonic** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:42 am

Hmm.. you may have a good point there, angel. Personally, I'm an intellectual who likes to think things through.. but you're right -- praying will definitely help

Postby **kaji** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:47 am

Vampi
Mave, Angel, and Skynes all seam to be batting 1000 on this one.

1: Gods Plan; You dont need to have anything planned to say, no one is going to want you to preach to them, so set those sermons you have been preparing aside. When it comes down to it, God will give you the words to say.

2: Silence can be Golden; Some times simple things are good enough. Like giving the glory to God for somthing you have done. Often times we dont have to say anything at all, just living a Godly life style can be a testimony enough.

3: Dont be Discouraged; Satan wants nothing more than for us to get discouraged in every thing we do ,especialy those things we do for God. If sharing the gospel with some one doesnt go the way wanted it, dont be discouraged. It may have been Gods will for you to plant the seed of Gods word in their life, that it may later grow. God would never want us not to share our faith with some one, dont dispare, dont get discouraged, persivere that God may be glorified.

4: Tact; Personaly I am very frustrated with people who try to shuve the Bible down others thoats. True, the Bible should NOT be "softend", but there are still tactful ways to go about presenting its truths to others.

5: Love; Love the person you are witnessing to as Christ loved the people who crusified him.

6: Our Savior; Remember, God is ausome. When you feel an opertunity to witness to some one, dont be nervious, rather get excited that God has given you this opertunity. And have fun doing it. (Witnessing, that is).

Kamisamawa iidesu!!!!

-kaji

Oh, I would also like to point you tward the Weekly Bible study section of CAA, there is study there titles "Lasting Legacy: Being A Conscious Witness"
Maybe that will help you to. I havent read it yet, but this searies hasnt steared me wrong yet.^^

Postby **Gypsy** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:05 pm

Everyone has very good points. Getting depressed about it will get you nowhere, but if you use this situation to your advantage, you'll be that much more prepared for next time. So do you see this friend often?

Postby **Fsiphskilm** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:10 pm

Well, my a

Postby **Debitt** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:57 pm

One of my very close friends told me once about witnessing "don't worry about saying the right thing or doing something stupid. Just relax, the Holy Spirit will help guide you through it. God will give you the words to say." Though I too have given up some good chanches to witness (something I regret deeply sometimes) I've found that what he told me was all too true. God will guide you, so don't worry about it!

I also strongly agree with what kaji said - silence is golden, actions can speak louder than words. If you're already walking a Christian walk, not letting people stomp all over what you believe and such, you're already witnessing. I've always been the type to sit back and observe people, and let me tell you, those who know God and who love His word really do stand out.

Postby **Vampi** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:31 pm

I suppose I should shake off this depression, but I'm easily depressed. It seems like all my friends (at this school I'm going to) aren't Christians and the ones that claim they are really....don't....act, talk, or seem like ones at all (I mean, one of my sunday school classmates does "magic" and tarot cards.......AND IT GETS ME FRUSTRATED THAT SHE HAS THE WORD OF GOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER NOSE YET SHE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT!!!!!!). They go along with the crowd, and it tires me out that I seem to be the only one going against it (though it's not true...but I'm never around the other Christians who are trying to "live loud" because...well...I never see them, which is not of my own will...). Not to mention that I'm a horrible speaker and I stumble over my own words. I also hate being around too many people. I'm gonna be meeting this friend that I "failed to witness" to next class. I suppose I'm witnessing with my actions, but I want to back them up with words.......... I'll go straighten myself up now and see what God can do with the situation.

Postby **cbwing0** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:38 pm

I can relate...if you looked at my youth group back home, it would be difficult--if not impossible--to tell the difference between the Christians and the rest of the world. In high school, I had no strong Christian friends, which unfortunately took a toll on my own character. The corruption of the world can be very disouraging at time, especially when it creeps into the church.

Witnessing with actions is effective, but I would also encourage you to study apologetics. Apologetics deals with answering objections to Christianity and providing postive reasons for it's truth. There are many excellent books on the subject that you can use to help in this area. That way, you will be more confident when witnessing, or when you are questioned about your beliefs. Of course you should also study the Bible, which will strengthen your own faith, and allow you to see exactly why the people you mentioned are acting immorally.

Postby **JediSonic** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:08 pm

I love studying apologetics

And debating it too, but only when my brain is not tired

Postby **Enthralled** » Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:07 pm

I was reading something in Genesis, I Can't remember exatly what the reference was, but God was talking to Cain about his sacrifice and said:

"If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not, sin is at the door, and it's desire is for you. But you should rule over it."

I've been going through something very similar to you, and this has just been sticking with me. I don't know if it has any significance to you personally. But just hought I'd share it with ya.

Postby **TheSeaAndStars** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:53 am

Should we ever 'fail', God already knew that. God is never suprised by anything we do or any messups we made. Ultimately God's plan is perfect and we shall spend our lives continously being suprised by what God does in our lives.

Our mission: continue to serve God and share the Gospel as best as we can. That is all. Don't worry for the end result is already written. Everything is in God's timing.

(hmm......... I like that....... I put it on my future website and my sig. ^___^)

Postby **skynes** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:29 am

I mean, one of my sunday school classmates does "magic" and tarot cards.......AND IT GETS ME FRUSTRATED THAT SHE HAS THE WORD OF GOD RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER NOSE YET SHE DOESN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT!!!!!!).

I'm probably gonna ruffle a few feathers with what I'm about to say:

If someone is doing things totally anti-God and refuses to listen to reason about and disbelieves scripture when given to them then I find it very difficult to believe that they are Christians. When the Holy Spirit is living in you, He convicts you of the sinful things you do, if a Christian is NOT being convicted of sin (at all) then they don't HAVE the Spirit in them.

-----------

They go along with the crowd, and it tires me out that I seem to be the only one going against it

I know how that feels. So many Christians I see are blend-ins. They simply blend in with who they are around and never say anything about their faith. They reek of compromise.

Some brighter points for you to think of:

Having seen these Christians compromise and blend in - You are much less likely to do it yourself.
Having seen so-called Christians ignore God's Word - You are less likely to ignore it.

Being nearby these compromisers - You have an opportunity to whap them on the ehad with the Word and tell them to wise up! To quit their compromising and do something for God!

Something my Pastor has said before (was a different topic but it can kindof apply)

'How would you feel for God to turn to you on the believer's judgement and say "Oh its you... I really wanna throw you into hell, but I gotta let you into heaven"
How much would that hurt? Wouldn't you rather hear "Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord"'

^ Now THATS motivation to do something for God!
----------------

If all this compromise/sinning/ignorance of the Word bothers you then don't worry so much! You're not in a bad position! For all you know the words you DID say when witnessing will have a greater effect than ANY perfectly preached sermon.

I didn't get saved because of fancy preaching, a well put Gospel, hardcore hellfire brimstone witnessing - But a Christian who was my friend, despite my failings, despite myi mperfections despite the heresy I spoke many times (I used to be an evolutionist! How messed up is that! ME! AN EVOLUTIONIST!! OOEE), but my friend stuck with me. that had a greater effect than any witnessing.

God has a purpose for you - and your horrible speaking and your stumbling over words. Those things could show that you really mean what you say and you're really trying to say it.

A think that simply caring for your friends and showing them you do by witnessing, albeit with stumbling over your words, will have a greater effect than ANY perfect sermon.

Postby **Vampi** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:34 am

Sticking by friends is hard and my friends have "stereotyped" me as a "hardcore" Christian. They don't take me seriously either... I'm still trying my best to be like Jesus though. (I admire and respect Him now more than ever as I realize how impossible it is for me to not stumble.) I'M READY TO GO TACKLE THE WORLD!!!! Not really but, I'll be meeting another friend. I haven't openly talked about Jesus and God, but whenever I talk about anything that has to do w/ my faith she listens. Perhaps all these "hints" I'm dropping will add up to something....I'm very encouraged by that........... Good thing these 2 friends are on different days...(meaning I meet one every other day and the other on the other days...)

Actually, looking at my self-proclaimed Christian friends blend in with the background makes me want to drop dead and give up, not to mention skip school so I don't have to deal with anything. Their lifestyles are often obstacles to my witnessing.

(Oh, I searched for apologetics in my school library. I had...3? minutes to go before my next class so I grabbed "Mere Christianity" because it sounded familiar.... I'm glad it was the first thing I saw.)

Postby **purplemoose** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:41 am

i feel sry for you but hey dont sweat ther will be other times and the tatrot girl in suday skool probably only goes to church becuz her parents drag her ther you realy shouldnt wry 2 much 'bout stuff just have faith isnt that we call our religion The Christian Faith you just trust u probably herd this afore but do u trust that chair ur siting in think 'bout it u prabably never realy do...

Postby **kaji** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:24 am

Praise God that he has given you the opportunity to witness to some of your friends. Take great joy in knowing that He is using you to spread his word, and all things you do in love for His name are ultimately bringing glory to God the Father. Donâ€™t become disheartened by those things around you, rather let them only cause you to grow stronger in your faith for God. (Read my siggy, James 1:2-3 ^^)

It often times appears to me that Christianity has become the next â€œtrend.â€

Postby **skynes** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:33 am

Actually, looking at my self-proclaimed Christian friends blend in with the background makes me want to drop dead and give up, not to mention skip school so I don't have to deal with anything. Their lifestyles are often obstacles to my witnessing.

I really know what this is like. I've seen it so often with ppl I know I just think "Why do I put myself through this, is it really worth it!?"

Funny thing is that's probably what has went through ppl's minds about me before.

Sometimes ppl have to get burned before they realise the fire is hot. If your self-proclaimed Christian friends won't listen to reason or scripture. Wait. Pray for them and wait. Sooner or later they'll either realise what they're doing is wrong and change it or they get burned by their lifestyle realise it's wrong and change it.

With the amount of pretenders around these days sometimes it's hard to know who IS a Christian and who ISNT.
---------
We are Soldiers of Christ. Surrender is not an option. We're engaged in battle with the enemy. The Gates of Hell are before us, and it's our mission to get souls out of there!

^ That should be in a sig

Postby **EireWolf** » Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:51 pm

When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (John 21: 21-22)

Postby **Fsiphskilm** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:25 pm

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