God’s Kids
April 29, 2024
When the heart yearns to tell
August 07, 2018
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. - ACTS 18:24-26
When your heart awakens to God’s love and grace, it becomes “fervent in spirit,” and yearns to tell others the good news. I read a letter to a popular newspaper advice columnist, complaining about a pushy friend, apparently, a new believer, who was trying to “convert everybody she knows.” The columnist advised her to tell the zealot to shut up or leave.
Sometimes our passion to tell can prevent us from being heard. Your style will be based on your personality and gifting. Some people are invitational, bidding others to share their experience. Some of us are confrontational, warning people about hell. There are witnesses who are theological, reasoning with folks about faith. But there are important principles for sharing the Gospel the heart yearns to tell that should govern us all.
First, be sensitive to timing. Know when to share and when to be silent. Second, listen. Be patient with people’s questions and concerns. Third, watch for the strategic moment the Holy Spirit will bring about. When the heart yearns to tell, the greatest priority should be to be heard.
TODAY’S FOCUS
Ask The Lord to help you witness with effectiveness, not with a style that drives people away.
