Unfortunately, evil surrounds us every day. We see evil in the news, politics, our communities, online, and sometimes, even our encounters with people. But in the midst of darkness, we must trust God and seek His presence. When we seek Him, He listens, protects, and gives us the discernment and strength we need to face evil. Psalm 23:4 (NIV) says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” When you step out of your comfort zone, it takes courage. You have a choice: Will you let fear control you or trust God? I am reminded of the song “You Are My Strength” by William Murphy. The simple yet profound lyrics declare: “You are my strength, strength like no other, reaches to me.” Evangelism is not just about having biblical knowledge; it requires spiritual strength as we courageously step out in faith to proclaim the Gospel. This is especially true when facing hostility, rejection, and unbelief. It is natural to feel vulnerable when you have felt rejected. These are times when we must lean on God’s strength as He empowers us to remain faithful and courageous in the face of discomfort.
Growing up in Fort Valley, GA, I remember Jehovah’s Witnesses coming into our neighborhoods on Saturday mornings, courageously knocking on doors to evangelize. They never let fear stop them from sharing their message because they believed it was their responsibility to spread God’s word to as many people as possible. Evangelism was deeply ingrained in their faith, regardless of how their message was received. Even when people refused to open their doors, slammed doors in their faces, or responded rudely, they remained courageous and persistent. It seemed as if they expected rejection as a part of the process, and their assignment was to deliver the message and distribute The Watchtower, a booklet focused on biblical teachings and the belief of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They understood that the people’s response was out of their control as their primary focus was on sharing. I witnessed many people in my community transformed by their dedication, and at times, the Kingdom Halls where they gathered for worship had more cars in the parking lot than the various churches in my small town.
It takes courage to continue evangelizing, even when faced with hostility. I recall a moment during our book tour a few years ago while at a book signing in a Las Vegas bookstore. My wife, Tanesha, stepped away from our table to share our Christian book, “40 Day Financial Renewal,” using it as an opportunity to introduce the Gospel. She approached a man, but before she could get a few words out, he noticed the Bible on the cover and immediately began cursing at her. His anger escalated as he threatened her, declaring that he did not believe in God and warning her to get away before he hurt her. Shaken by the encounter, she rushed back to our table, deeply disturbed. It was the first time she had ever felt physically in danger simply for sharing the Gospel. The experience was painful and scary, but it also served as a reminder that evangelism is spiritual warfare. I reassured her by reminding her of the many people in the Bible who suffered for their faith. However, despite their trials and pain, they remained steadfast and trusted God. Now, that’s what you call bold courage!
You, too, may have encountered hostile or negative people who wanted to debate or argue about the Word of God. The experience of rejection may have left you hesitant or fearful of evangelism, but remember that evangelism is about connecting with hearts, not winning arguments. Over the years, I have met many believers who struggle with evangelism due to fear. When asked why, I’ve heard responses like fear of rejection, fear of not knowing enough about the Bible, fear of offending others by seeming too pushy, fear of not being a preacher or Bible teacher, and even fear of not knowing how to pray for others. These fears are real, but they do not have to define us as believers. The Bible reminds us: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). The enemy wants to silence you, but God has called you to speak life and be courageous! Even when the enemy tries to silence us, God opens doors for us to step out in faith and evangelize.
Being courageous requires believing in God’s promises even when circumstances seem impossible or uncomfortable. I cannot allow the enemy to silence me, and I look for opportunities to evangelize everywhere I go. When my wife and I moved to Fort Worth, TX, we met a couple at a park on Saturday afternoon while they were walking their German Shepherd. I shared with them that a German Shepherd had always been my dream dog. As we continued talking, we took the opportunity to evangelize and shared how God had blessed us with the chance to relocate to a new apartment and church. We invited them to visit our church, and they came to our church the next day. Shortly after, they decided to join our church family. Not only did we gain new friends in Christ, but they also encouraged us to take a leap of faith and finally get my dream dog, a German Shepherd puppy named Shadow.
Just as it took faith and courage for us to sell our lakeside home, move to a new place to live, and accept an assignment to pastor a church in Fort Worth, it also takes faith and courage to step out in evangelism. You may struggle with the fear of evangelism, but through Jesus Christ, you can overcome that fear and courageously share your faith with boldness. Remember, rejection is not a reflection of your witness; it’s more about meeting people where they are in their spiritual journey. Their response has more to do with their spiritual state than the message you share with them. The key is to find ways to connect with them so you can reach them and build trust. Evangelizing is a powerful experience! It is an opportunity to share the Gospel and witness firsthand how God moves in people’s hearts. The act of sharing faith not only strengthens those who hear it, but also requires bold courage from the one delivering it. I encourage you to step out in faith and reach others with confidence.
Call to Action:
• Pray for strength. When you evangelize, ask God for the strength to use wisdom and the right words.
• Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. When you evangelize, the Holy Spirit will give you the power to discern and share God’s Word effectively. (Luke 12:12)
• Start with your testimony. When you evangelize, share your personal story of how God saved and transformed your life.
• Focus on faith, not fear. When you evangelize, trust that God is with you and will give you the courage to connect with His people even when you feel uncomfortable.
• Accept rejection as part of the journey. Have the bold faith to evangelize even when you feel rejected. Jesus was rejected, yet He continued to preach (John 6:66).
