Witnessing the Word (OF GOD) in a World Offended by Words

While it is true, we witness the Word by living Christ-like, BUT words must eventually come, because people are saved by faith, and faith comes by hearing the word of God regarding salvation in Christ.

. . .faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 

Oh, but the war of the words that's happening today!

So, how do we witness the word by word in a world where the words we say are so scrutinized, so misunderstood, and even being redefined! The language of salvation is under scrutiny more today than ever it seems. Certain words have been targeted as offensive, and that’s no accident. This is a ploy of the evil one who does not want God’s word of salvation to get out. He would have it cancelled altogether. 

Here are just a few examples of how the language in the message of salvation might be misunderstood in light of today’s spiritual climate.

Neither is there salvation in any other…Acts 4:12

..the weapons of our warfare… 2 Corinthians 10:4

..endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3

he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 1 Corinthians 7:22-23

The world is filled with believers today because the first disciples witnesses the word in their time! And they were given a special anointing to blaze the Gospel trail. Some gave their physical lives as well as their spiritual lives for the Gospel. God requires all followers to give their spiritual lives for the Gospel’s sake.

When Jesus called His disciples to Him regarding living life for the Gospel’s sake, He called the people to Him too.

When he had CALLED THE PEOPLE unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Mark 8:34-35

The spirit of antichrist.

There is a spirit in the world that is against Christ and the salvation that He brings. The spirit of antichrist has been here since Christ, and it has been growing. It is preparing the way for the Antichrist that will come in the end times. If people do not know Christ, they won’t even know when the Antichrist is here, and they will most likely be deceived by him.

Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 1 John 4:3

The spirit of antichrist does not want the Gospel of Jesus Christ to get out because the spirit of antichrist does not want people to confess their faith in Jesus and be saved. Why? Because the spirit of antichrist is from satan and satan hates people and the only true and living God, who created them.

The spirit of antichrist strives to prevent the Gospel of Jesus Christ from even getting out, and if it does get out, water it down. 

Atheists and people that hate God are a united army today, but Christians have been known to make armies turn and run through their faith!

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:33-34

Words

Words have been powerful from the beginning. The world began with God's creative words.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3

And it wouldn’t surprise me if the end of the world comes because of the destructive words of creation, for now more than any other time, it seems as though words are being used to destroy. It is quite clever of the enemy to make ‘words’ weapons used to take each other down, seeing that it is with words that we are to build each other up, telling people about Jesus so they can confess their faith in Him and be saved. 

People get saved by faith, by hearing the word of faith. There are people anointed to preach the Gospel. Most people hear the Gospel by way of a preacher, but we all can share the Gospel.

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:8-17 

And although the central message of salvation is Love. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17

There is some wording in the message of salvation that may offend because of the hyper-sensitivity to words in the world today.  For instance, for a person to be saved, they must believe they need saving. They must come to terms with; they are a sinner.

For all have sinned… Romans 3:23 

To be saved, people need to repent. 

…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38 

The death of Jesus on the cross was barbaric and the Bible describes its cruelty. 

they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. Matthew 27:28-31

It seems the cross, and the blood of Jesus is being left out of many pulpits today.

If we take the cross of Christ out of the message, we take the power to save out of the message.

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 

1 Corinthians 1:17-18,21,24

If we take the blood of Christ out of the message, we take the power to save out of the message.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 

Division

The church works together as a team towards the same goal; to get the good news of salvation out there! Some sow the word, others water the word, but God makes it grow!

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:5-11

We get the good news of salvation out there by the power of God.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance;. . . 1 Thessalonians 1:5

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians6:10-15KJV

Defending the Gospel

It’s for love; love for God and others, that we defend the Gospel. It is sacred word.

The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. Philippians1:16-17

As I said, faith in God is only possible when people hear the unadulterated word of God and believe it. We should tell them the whole truth about salvation and nothing but the truth. We don’t have to convince them of salvation, the Holy Ghost uses the inspired, anointed word that we proclaim to them about Jesus to convince them of their need for salvation. We are but God’s mouthpiece, sharing His anointed word. Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world!

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.  Acts 17:2-3 

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:36-38

If they come, be ready with the word.

Always be ready to answer questions about the blessed hope living within us.

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.1 Peter3:15-16

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts 26:1,28 

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Read Acts 8:26-38

And like a doctor with good bedside manner, we must be gentle.

The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 

And we always share the Gospel in a way that pleases God, not people. 

For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8 

Experiential Witnessing

Like I said, we do not have to be a preacher or a teacher to witness the word, we just need to be experienced in knowing Jesus. Here are examples of experiential witnessing in the New Testament and the words they used to share their faith. They were planting seeds of faith by sharing with others what Jesus had done for them. We plant seeds of faith the very same way when we tell people what Jesus has done for us.

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:29 

. . .Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see. John 9:25 

Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. John 1:46 

Living Witnesses

People usually listen to those that not only talk the talk, but walk the walk. Sometimes just getting people to listen to the word can be difficult, that’s where living Christ-like in front of them, without being hypocritical, comes in handy.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13 

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. Acts 9:20-22 

PRAYER

Lord, the Gospel is a forever message, a sacred word, saving souls eternally. May we always respect its saving message; Jesus Christ came to save sinners. He lived and died and rose again to free us from sin. We are not truly loving others if we are not sharing the unwatered down salvation message with them. Send people our way, and help us witness to them in Spirit and in truth by our words and by our actions so the Holy Spirit can work salvation’s work in their hearts. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

More thoughts:

Some denominations believe in door-to-door type tactics! Get everyone saved! Go into all the neighborhood! Go! Go! Go!   Others believe in more subtle tactics. 

Jesus promised His twelve disciples power to witness, and He did just that. He sent the Holy Ghost. 

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

And this promise was not only to the first followers, but to all that would say yes to salvation’s call.

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:38-39