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How to Overcome Fear in Evangelism |
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If most of us were honest, we’d admit we enjoy evangelism the most when:
- The person we plan to talk to is not at home.
- God allows us to do the praying and someone else to do the talking.
- The individual we are approaching has laryngitis and therefore it would be impolite to ask him about his relationship with Christ.
- The waitress explains to our friend that she has a phone call just as we were preparing to approach spiritual things with her.
- We absolutely unintentionally oversleep the morning of our breakfast appointment with a non-Christian.
The reason can be reduced to one word—fear. Absolutely paralyzing at times, fear does more to hinder our witness than any other single item. How does one overcome such a devastating problem? Can it actually be overcome? Does a person ever get to the point when fear in evangelism is a thing of the past? All of these questions are answered for us in the Bible. Before looking for the answers, however, two things must be kept in mind.
First, fear in evangelism is normal. It assures you that you are a normal human being. After all, Paul the apostle was afraid to evangelize. How does he admit to entering Corinth? He determined to be true to the message of Christ and the cross, but he admits to being with them “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). In a city filled with such godlessness, impurity, and vice, such fear is certainly understandable.
Paul is not alone. Peter and John had equal reason to be afraid. In Acts 4, we have the first recorded persecution experienced by the early church. Commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus (v. 18), what do Peter and John do—hover in a corner, pray for the rapture, or plead with God to “send Joe”? Not for a minute! Instead, we are taught that they laid their fears before God. “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29).
If people with that kind of commitment to the Savior are afraid, why would we not be? After all, fear in evangelism has nothing to do with the presence or lack of spirituality. It has everything to do with being human. We dare not assume that because we are afraid, there is something wrong with our walk with the Lord. How we deal with our fear may be affected by our walk with the Lord, but the presence of fear itself is never attributed in Scripture to a lack of spiritual depth.
With that in mind, a second thing to remember is that the issue is overcoming fear, not removing fear. This side of heaven one will always have times of fear. Paul the apostle requested prayer that “utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19). When Paul wrote these words he was writing them as a prisoner in Rome. When he was in prison he had time to think back on his evangelistic experiences. Paul had spent three years in Ephesus and God used him mightily. Not only had he established a strong Christian church in Ephesus, he also sent out messengers through whom the whole province of Asia was evangelized. Churches were established in each of its major population centers.
Do you mean Paul the apostle is actually requesting prayer for boldness in evangelism after his extensive experience? Most certainly. He knew full well that once fear raises its ugly head and is dealt with, it is not gone forever—never having to be dealt with again. Instead of thinking in terms of never being afraid, Paul had to think in terms of overcoming fear each time it became a major obstacle to sharing the Gospel.
Moments of fear will always be there. Anyone who says they are never afraid to share Christ is most likely not being honest with you. Fear in evangelism is normal and natural. This side of heaven it will occur and reoccur. To say, “I don’t witness because I’m afraid” is an explanation. It dare not become an excuse. The issue is what we do with our fear.
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W’ve really enjoyed your the evangelism materials you’ve produce for the work of God especially the one with the one which says MAY I ASK YOU A QUESTION? or any other evangelism material which is good for evangelism outreach programes.
we all this to continue the good work which we have began for Lord and as i have already we a church that like expanding the kingdom of God
we hope to hear from as quick as possible.
What if i am struggling with sin, how do i evangelize
I appreciate this discussion on fear. For me, it has required a change in my perspective on fear that has helped me deal with it more effectively. Courage is not the absence of fear – it is the disregard of it. And it also takes us as believers becoming fearful of the right thing. We will see a change in our evangelism effectiveness when we begin to have a greater fear of what will happen to those we are to share with if we DON’T intervene than what might happen to us if we DO. Think of the tragedy that would occur if those in the rescue business failed to go into a burning building to help people out because they were too afraid of what might happen to themselves. Read more on this at http://www.hutchcraft.com/a-life-that-matters-blog/perspective-is-everything/a-new-set-of-lenses-part-4-of-4.
Kelvin:
If you are struggling with sin, that will without a doubt hinder your witness. However, it doesn’t have to kill it. The answer, as always, lies in the Bible. 1 John 1:9 teaches us to confess our sin to the Lord, and He will not only forgive us, but cleanse of it all. That is the short-term solution. The long-term solution is finding someone you trust to help you get victory over the sin. That could be a mature Christian friend or your pastor. It will require accountability, study of the Word, and prayer; but, you CAN have the victory already won through Christ! Meanwhile, witness anyway! Be brave and obedient, even while receiving help for your problem.
i think that if u struggling with sin will not be a problem, because every one struggles with sin. it says in the bible, that there in not 1 person that doesnt. god will use any one that is willing to be use.
i really love this topic, because i’m going to teach a class in evangelisim. is going to be ma first time i ever teach a class. so am trying to get as much information as i can. I didnt know what to talk about, but i found the perfect topic and is goin to be the fear of evangelism. thank you so much this really help me.
god bless you all…