If an individual gets saved, but never really has the overwhelming desire to witness to others, does that mean that they were probably never saved themself?
2006-09-22 13:46:59 · 13 answers · asked by Road Trip 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No. It simply means they didn't do it much. A lot of people don't. I mean a LOT of them don't. It come with spiritual growth. Personal fellowship with God, that one desires to share with people. If your fellowship is low and very seldom, then that is probably the desire a person has to share it also.
Good Q*.
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2006-09-22 13:55:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
It all depends upon what you mean by an "overwhelming desire". Being an evangelist is one of the gifts of the Spirit so someone with that gift would have an overwhelming desire to witness to others. But someone with a different gift might not share that desire. I will say that anyone who claims to be saved but who doesn't have a heart for the lost people in this world may not truly be saved.
2006-09-22 20:53:03 · answer #2 · answered by Martin S 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
arcticwolf71960,
"If an individual gets saved, but never really has the overwhelming desire to witness to others, does that mean that they were probably never saved themself?"
NO! You are to look to Him for any works you are to do. You even have to trust Him for the works that are eternal. Trust God thorugh Jesus Christ, read your Bible, and die to yourself, that's a Christian. Go forward.
Today's faith is not enough to get you through tomorrow.
2006-09-22 21:25:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's one possibility; there are many others as well. It is possible that the individual is selfish, or that he or she doesn't truly understand what we're being saved from and how terrible that will be, or that he or she has simply not grown from spiritual infancy as a believer and does not know how to share the faith. I certainly hope it's not that the individual does not care about anyone else, but that's a possibility, too. In that case, pray that this individual grows into having -- or even desiring -- a truly Christlike love for others.
Go check out www.wayofthemaster.com and see what's there. There are good helps and tools for sharing one's faith. The way of the Master is also a television program on the Christian channel. Check your local listings to see when it's on and give it a look. It's really valuable information there. Once you've checked it out, invite the individual in question to check it out with you. See if you can guide him or her into learning a bit about sharing the faith.
Stand to Reason also has an excellent website about witnessing; theirs is quite a different style than way of the Master, but both are valid ministries and give good helps in reaching the lost. I don't recall the correct website for Stand to Reason; you can find it easily enough by Googling the name.
2006-09-22 21:00:28 · answer #4 · answered by thejanith 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A person can be a witness without ever saying a word. Just because they don't go out and pass out tracts or tell everyone about this does not mean they are not saved.
But if that person has a difference in their life and has made Jesus in control of their life, God will show that person when and where to speak up.
I think back to how God says in I Peter 3:1-7 for a wife to win her husband over. Without a word, but in action and deed. That is so the husband can see the love of God shining through her.
2006-09-22 20:57:03 · answer #5 · answered by Searcher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say, we don't know. I do know that for me I was baptized, believed, etc and I didn't have a desire to witness either. It wasn't until a few years later when I wanted to tell everyone I could about my love for Jesus. I think there is water baptism, which is an outward gesture of your belief and I believe there is a baptism by the Holy Spirit, which God sends to you. I don't think it happens at the same time for all people. I do know that they're separate and distinct. That is what happened to me. I felt the Holy Spirit, a few years later...And He has been with me ever since. Once you have the Holy Spirit you will do everything you can to tell the whole world about the joy you have. You can't contain it.
2006-09-22 20:58:49 · answer #6 · answered by JohnC 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That's very probable. Usually the first thing a new Christian wants to do is tell someone what has happened to them. I suppose it may be possible for someone to be saved and not desire to witness, but it would be extremely abnormal. Usually most who do not witness, do so out of fear and not from a lack of desire. Those who are real good at the art of witnessing can do so without you realizing it. Those who brow-beat, and cram scripture down your throat (out of real ignorance) are not the ones who are successful-and they make it hard for others.
2006-09-22 20:57:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Overwhelming desire?
No, I can think of evangelists that may have this gift, but most of us witness to others in how we live and if asked or if invited to share our belief's , we certainly would and do.
God gives us all different gifts. We do not all have to witness to others, but we do need to plant seeds, and water them, we can do this by just living in accordance to Gods will and way, not always by shouting out loud at a rally.
2006-09-22 20:55:40 · answer #8 · answered by cindy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all.
After you get your Spiritman Recreated (Saved), you should go to Step 2 and get Filled with the Spirit.
This will give you the necessary Power of GOD to be a Bold Witness for Jesus.
You do not have to be Filled with the Spirit to go to Heaven. Actually, after you are Born-Again you really don't have to do anything else, even go to church building every Sunday to go to Heaven. But you will miss out on a LOT of Good Things if you just sit at Home and do nothing till you get Home (Heaven).
It's called FreeWill, and GOD won't make you do anything, it is up to you.
2006-09-22 20:53:26 · answer #9 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers said "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that."
There is a strong biblical basis for believing that a person who maintains that he is saved, and yet has no concern for the lost cannot and should not rest in the hope that he is saved. How can he be converted? He who is saved supposedly loves his neighbor as himself. Love has concern when professed loved ones are in danger. If we don't warn them, we don't love them.
2006-09-22 21:03:00 · answer #10 · answered by Jason M 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋