Have you ever been “accosted,” yelled at, or screamed at? I’m sure most of would answer Yes to that question. But I have another type of incident in mind.
Have you ever been “accosted,” yelled at, screamed at, or embarrassed by a “person of God” either standing on the street corner or college campus supposedly preaching about Jesus? When I lived in a college town in the 80s-90s, one of the first things I heard about was the so-called preacher (better translated embarrassment, one-who-turned-others-off) at our local university. It was hard for me to believe the story was actually true until I heard several others tell me randomly about it. This so-called evangelist would stand in an outside common area and scream and yell at the students as they walked by. He would throw out the name of Jesus (maybe to give him some validity?), while at the same time ranting and raving about the sin and promiscuity of the college students. He screamed about the boys who had long hair and called the girls some not-so-nice names if they wore shorts or pants. (As if that is a eternal life deal-breaker). When some of the college kids would tell me I could sense my blood boiling, but I could also feel myself turning different shades of green out of sickness and disgust.
What got to me is that I have come to realize that evangelism is more about planting seeds than wielding a sword. I’m sure you have probably heard the old adage which goes something like “more bees are drawn to honey than vinegar.” It is the sweet-smelling and sweet-tasting nectar of the flower which draws the bee or butterfly to it. I seriously doubt the smell of vinegar would do that. I believe people are attracted to hearing the message of Christ by our winsome, caring manner rather than by ranting and raving about sin, and how they are anything but people for dressing or looking a certain way. Ironically, I met this man’s brother several years later and while talking with him, he talked about his embarrassment of his brother. Tragically, the man probably saw it as a badge of honor to “suffer” for the name of Christ.
I know this is a negative-type post and it is not meant to be. My point is to remind us that if we are to share the Gospel with others, let’s do it with grace and “honey” not anger and “vinegar.” Keep in mind also this does not just happen on a college campus. We often give off “airs” of arrogance and judgment in our daily speech. Let’s be careful in what and how we say it.
Amen and Amen!!!
Thanks Diane! It is really good to hear from you!
Relationship, Relationship, Relationship. Love God with all your heart and Love your neighbors as yourself!
John 1:14 NIV
[14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
https://bible.com/bible/111/jhn.1.14.NIV
God sent His son so that He could live among us, not to shout at us. There is a balance. Grace and Truth. And it really needs to be done through relationship, not through word vomit.
Totally and unequivocally agree Ryan. (I like the “word vomit” picture) 🙂
Ranting and raving at someone is no way to win them over, that’s for sure, Bill. Such an approach would most certainly turn me away, not draw me in. May we all be humble and loving in the way we spread the message of Jesus in this world.
Blessings!
You get it Martha! I never heard of one college student who wanted to know more of what that man was spewing out. The only interaction with him was taunting him to shout louder. A real turnoff for sure.
Totally agree Bill. Sometimes before you can even plant the seed, you need to cultivate the relationship a bit. That could be to done by just doing small helpful things for that person. Praying for that person, and asking God to help you have the opportunity to show His love first. I do remember at college people standing on corners yelling avoid hell, repent sinners. I also remember the hare krishna folks with the shaved heads preaching and passing out flowers.
Agreed on the planting seed and cultivating a relationship. I chuckled when I saw the difference between the screaming preachers and the Hare Krishna singing “My Sweet Lord.” Yeah, I know…strange.
I think that as we mature in our faith it becomes more about preaching the love rather than the condemnation. We can still be soap box preachers, but it’s more about love these days. There’s enough hate to go around. So let’s preach more love, more power!
Hatred never won converts, Ed. You are correct in your thoughts on love.
For years I thought accosting people on the street was God’s idea of witnessing–and I wanted no part of it. I literally crossed the street when I saw these people waving their floppy Bibles and them shouting about being “saved”. Then I experienced friendship evangelism and the gospel touched my soul. I realized that we can share Jesus’ message loud and clear without shouting or accosting people.
I agree wholeheartedly Pam. I think befriending someone with love and concern opens doors a whole lot quicker than screaming at them.