How can we (as Christians) stand out and share our beliefs without being dismissed as crazy?

Question

How can we make people listen? If you can, please answer this Scripturally (by citing verses, etc.).

Answer 1

Just do it. Share your beliefs. Preach the gospel. As a Christian, it's what you are supposed to be doing. Don't worry about what others think of you. Worry about what HE thinks.
And incidentally, you can't MAKE someone listen. Only the thirsty will drink of the Living Water. For the rest, you pray...alot.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt 10:28-29 NKJV


18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor 1:18 NKJV

18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you,'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. John 15:18-23 NKJV

Answer 2

Part of the question is part of the problem I believe.

Before I had a personal relationship with the Lord anyone, and I mean ANYONE who quoted scripture to me, or forced their belief on me was a huge turn off, I tuned them out so fast, it wasn't even funny.
In my opinion you share your faith by everything you say and do, and who you are.
Religion comes up most every day where I work, and I share my belief and faith when I have the opportunity. I'm not quoting scripture, however if someone asks me more, I will tell them where to find it in the Bible.
Think of it this way,,,,
Your belief in the Lord and reading the Bible is like food for your soul, you have to keep eating a little everyday to stay healthy, binging and starving is unhealthy for you.

Now when God has put someone in your path that is clearly starving for the Lord, you can not force feed that person, you could actually kill that person, you have to start with slow healthy proportions that are packed with nutrition, and work your way to helping that person become healthy.

When someone is in that state in the spiritual sense you need to be careful or you just may kill that one chance of helping them find their way to God.

Warm, accepting, nonthreatening, not overbearing, and most of all do not judge! as much as you try to mask that, it can and will show through.

Answer 3

We can't make people listen. We can present the gospel and truth in love. We can show by our actions that we do care. The conviction and response to the message is in the realms of the Holy Spirit working within their lives... not us. We will be hated for saying those things that they simply do not want to hear. I find 1 Timothy 6 a comfort, covering many aspects, including dealings with people and their attitudes, such as these answers to this question illustrates.

Answer 4

Well first off lose that "If you can, please answer this Scripturally (by citing verses, etc.)." It does not work on people. I mean think about: if they don't believe in your God they really are not going to be moved by a book that He inspired. And they are very well versed in the Bible and could probably rip you to shreds with it. Instead live in away that illuminates Christ teachings.

Answer 5

I think it wholesome to remember that "belief" is etymologically related to "belove." A heart- and mind-openness, issuing in a life lived in such a way that it is apparent to any who may be so moved to consider it, that our "beloving" relationship with the divine source of all that is "works" for us, bringing us an humble joy in the day to day miracle of being.

To paraphrase the Sufi poet Rumi, "May our life be a sign for others to ponder."

I'm a practicing Buddhist, but there is profound beauty and wisdom in Christianity (along with much, of course, that's not so profound or wise). As for a scripture verse, the following comes to mind:

"the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).

Answer 6

As some others have already indicated, you can't make anyone listen, let alone save them. Look at examples all through the Bible. When we read about Pharoh's hard heart, we see a man completely lost to the truth, completely blind to the will of God. The Bible tells us that if someone won't listen then walk away. Simple as that. You see some sneering and jeering amongst the answers to your questions. Quite simply, people hate you and your God. SURELY you don't expect me to tell you how to get these people to listen to you!

In other places in the Bible we read that we ourselves didn't SEEK God's word and His salvation, but rather that we were CHOSEN by God to be saved. We've all felt that mysterious "pull." In PCA churches they call it an effectual call. So, it is BEST to witness to those we call "seekers." They are the ones who don't yet know God, but are in the grip of the woo, the pull, and the call to Christ. They aren't hostile to you!

Think of it this way. You're walking through the airport and a hari krishna tries to "witness" to you, what are you going to do? Me? I'm walking away! People with stone cold hardened hearts are no different. Why chase after them? Why beat yourself up to get through to them?

The point is that IF they are predestined to be saved then God will woo them. They will seek Him. Maybe you'll be the one who God leads them to. Then witness away!

Other factors that make an effective witness or risk destroying it:

1. Happiness and peace. The world is in turmoil. I know Christians who are too! Think about it. If an atheist seems more together than a Christian, what does that say about our faith? You SAY that you put your trust God. Do you act like it?

2. Non-Christians are just waiting for you to commit a sin. While you and I both know that you DO SIN, please keep it low profile. Virtually no one knows when and how I sin, because they are mostly sins of the heart and inside my head. But by most outward appearances, I am true to my faith. That's important to your witness.

3. Be truthful AND accurate. I'm reading a book right now called, The Way of the Master. Throughout the book he is pounding home a mistake we Christians make. We tell non-Christians all the time that they are not happy and that they never will be happy until they know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The book admonishes us for this. It points out that MANY sinners are absolutely content in their sin-filled lives and that for us to tell them that they're not happy is insulting. It talks instead about telling them the truth of God, Jesus, heaven, hell, and "the rules" of the Bible and the consequences of rebellion, sin, and repudiation of the truth.

I hope this helps.

Lord bless.

Answer 7

that is a good question... i believe Christianity is getting unpopular from other countries right now. When you share about salvation, Jesus Christ, creation, etc. etc... they will sometimes regard you as crazy... your right with it.. ill settle my points below.

John 15: 18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

1) know the person whom your talking of. if the person knows something about Jesus Christ then go ahead and share the gospel. Start with Rom. 3:23 and Rom 6:23 to let them realize that they needed a Savior.

2) .....if not.. then start with creation. Gen. 1-2. Ask him/her to explain how the earth was formed. The universe, life, etc. etc. I know science can't explain this especially where,when,how life started. This will be the key to introduce God that will lead you to introduce Jesus.
3) or if sharing to other people that believe that good works save.. start with titus 3:5-6 or eph. 2;8-9.

hope this points help you. as what apostle paul said, for i am not ashamed of the gospel for this is the power of God unto salvation.

just share the gospel no matter what happens. It is God who saves. :)

Answer 8

1st off everything should be done in descent & order. There is a time & place for everything. And when the time is right for u to talk to someone about God word he will let u know, trust me u will know. 1st u have to befriend ppl & get them to trust u & then u can do what u do best.Do not try to force the word on ppl b/c it's only going to pull them farther away & as for standing out u walk the walk of an Godly person & ppl will see the difference in u anywayz.Don't engaged in ungodly activits.Don't have my bible on hand right now to give u the verses.

Answer 9

The best way to witness to others about the Lord Jesus Christ, and what he has done for you, in your life, and what he means to you. Is to start each day in prayer. Go to the Lord in prayer and supplication ( humble yourself before him) and ask him to put the words there, and not your own words. when the time comes, the Lord will provide the words. And by the way, most people will think you are a not no matter what, they are blind to the Love of God. Live your life as Christ did, that is what being a christian means, is like Christ.

Answer 10

People thinking you're crazy ain't bad... at least they don't kill you then! lol!

I think cutting out the crap is key, don't make assurtions about things you don't know and dwell on what you do know. Don't make your message based on feelings, but simply lay out the gospel in a way that anybody can understand.

But you will always run into the types with cotton balls in thier ears, who look to distort everything you say - let them believe you're a fool. Instead, find souls willing to listen and open-minded enough to consider that you might be right.