I learn much from negative examples. What follows are a couple of ways I don’t want to witness to others about the Lord.
I was with three other men at a restaurant prior to a meeting. Don bowed his head and prayed aloud to thank the Lord for our food and to pray for world peace. He told the two men sitting across from us that he hoped they didn’t mind.
Bill replied most genially. He was the type to pepper his conversation with profanity. He reminded me of my late Granddad Mendenhall who spoke in the same manner.
I prefer not to pray as Don did. When I remember to thank God for my food in public, I bow my head briefly and pray silently. I only pray aloud if asked to when I’m among Christian family members or friends.
I’m not sure who Don was trying to impress–me or those around us. He was a moral man who talked about being religious, but I can’t remember hearing him utter the name of Jesus.
I doubt if Don was a born again believer based on several conversations, which he mostly dominated. Only God knew his heart. I only know what I saw and heard.
During the meeting Don and I went to with the other men at our table, the woman who led most of the evening’s events passed out CD’s containing material relevant to our purpose there. Through the window of the CD envelope I noticed magic marker had been used to write on the CD.
Her business card was partly visible as well. It displayed a large dark loop, which at first I thought was from the same marker used on the CD. Closer observation revealed the loop was part of the fish symbol often displayed by Christians.
The next day I e-mailed her and asked if the symbol meant she was a Christian. I told her My family and I are. She replied and said her family attended a Baptist church in another town. The symbol on the card was a conversation starter for her.
But this raised questions in my mind. Who conversed with her? Other Christians like me? Or did she really get meaningful questions and comments from unbelievers?
I don’t care to witness like that lady did. It only makes people guess what the symbol is about. I suspect most won’t care enough to start a conversation.
I heard once that someone criticized Evangelist D. L. Moody in the 1800’s for his method of witnessing. He supposedly replied by saying something like, “My way of witnessing is better than your way of not witnessing.”
Perhaps I’m as guilty of not witnessing as Moody’s critic.
I’m no evangelist. I’ve undoubtedly missed many opportunities to share Christ with those who need Him. But I’m more of a one-on-one conversationalist. I’d rather speak straightforwardly.
I don’t want to put on a show for the public, and I don’t want to display something mysterious.