When they come knocking?

Question

Fellow Christians I have been thinking about this a bit. What do you do when JW's or mormons come knocking? I tend to either ignore them or open the door and say not interested and shut it. I have realized though that this is not the way Christ would deal with them. So the next time they come I am going to invite them in. Offer them something to drink. Ask if they need to use the bathroom or anything. Not going to try and preach or show them the error of their ways. Just show them Christ's love. Will you join me? Do you think this would have an effect on them? Show them Christ with our lives.

Answer 1

Ha! Beat you to it man. My wife and I even made brownies for them. We also asked them a bunch of questions they didn't know how to answer. (or didn't want to) And to this day, I still have YET to receive a straightforward answer!!!

Answer 2

Even before I joined the LDS church, and I was a Christian even then, other Christains like most of the ones who have posted here have REALLY turned me off! With their patronizing "Oh, let's SAVE the poor wretched sinners!" attitude, you have NO IDEA how sickening it is to be treated like a leper when you don't even have the disease!!

First, Jehovah's Witnesses, the only problem I have with them (other than I don't believe a lot of what they do) is that they talk so fast, and they don't seem to want to discuss, just tell what they believe, and do you want to be baptised?? I have nothing but respect for them, tho, and their faith, I will never put them or their faith down.

Second, we Mormons are Christians, we follow Christ, we try to live Christ-like love, and we try very hard to SHOW that love, just as Christ commanded. Most young elders and sisters don't have deep theological training, and are not familiar with anti-Mormon teachings about waht we supposedly believe. They will also not respond well to someone trying to use the Bible to prove them wrong, because we believe the Bible to be the word of God, and it all boils down to interpretation.

Don't try to tell them what they believe, as you are no doubt wrong. don't treat them like nit wits, because they will resent it. Don't treat them like children, ditto.

Try treating them like you would want to be treated. So, if you want to be patronized, and treated like an idiot child who's going to burn in hell, then by all means, treat the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons likewise.

Answer 3

I see what you're going for, and I agree with the 'fairly' universal idea. For me, this is a little long. Poetry is like a chore my wife makes me do. It's even worse than that. It's my job. I want to be in love with the poet by line 3 and I want the near-orgasmic climax a few moments later. You are a good cantor, telling the people what they need to hear. I just don't want to sit through the whole service. PP

Answer 4

A fellow brother ask me this very same question at church a couple of Sundays ago.His next door neighbor is a JW.
First of all,what does Jesus say to do?I referr
to 2Nd John 10-11.KJV Bible.
I don't try to be rude or unkind to anyone,but
I find that there are those that will acuse you
even if you are not.The JW'S do preach and teach a false doctrine of works for salvation as many others do.Avoid them!

Answer 5

It's one thing to get a door shut in your face, it's quite another to be invited in with the intention of eventually trying to prove them wrong. That is waste of everyone's time.

Showing Christ-like love is great!! But showing it with the pretense of showing them they are wrong isn't real Christ-like love. If you really want to talk to them, the missionaries would be grateful. Food also helps. Maybe just talking to them will show that they aren't that bad after all, and all they are doing is trying to show people what they believe in. The doesn't make either of you wrong. Who knows who is right and who is wrong? We will learn that eventually. Just treat them like you would any other human being. That would be the best thing for the missionaries. Trust me, they love to have people talk to them!

Answer 6

I have JW that come by every few weeks. I know they are there to convert me. We discuss the Bible and I try to share my personal experiences with Jesus when I feel lead. I think that God directs people our way for a reason, and they may not know anyone that is born-again. God told me many years ago, that anyone that comes to my door or in my house, He will save. I do get the strangest people knocking, but I don't let everyone in. The Holy Spirit draws people to us, so that we can plant and water His truth into their hungry spirits. It is so refreshing to hear that someone else wants to reach out to those that are seeking to know Him more.

Answer 7

My boyfriend is one of those Mormon missionaries. You know what, you won't change their minds by treating them kindness, but that you disagree is no reason to treat them poorly. Who knows, you may have met my sweetheart one day. He's the type who'd rather help you with your yard work than get doors slammed in his face all day. They know Christ, and are trying to show you Christ with their lives. I'd be very grateful if you'd do the same.

Answer 8

Oh, yes! I'm absolutely with you! If only more Christians would extend the love of Christ to others in a practical and meaningful way by trying to reach out to those who have been taught another gospel. Wonderful idea. Just a word of caution...

Although they think they are the only true Christians and that every religion in Christendom is part of 'Babylon the Great' and doomed to destruction, 'merely' extending Christian love to them might not be sufficient. They are utterly convinced that they, and only they, have "the truth". I'm afraid you're going to have to get your Bible out to help them realise the error of their thinking if you are genuinely concerned for their everlasting salvation.

However, that said (and realising we all have different talents to be used by the Holy Spirit), one thing I know NEVER FAILS (apart from love as in 1 Corinthians 13) - PRAYER.

My friend, and everyone else out there who cares deeply for Jehovah's Witnesses, PRAY FOR THEM. Pray unceasingly and passionately. Persist in prayer. Never let go of prayer for them, especially for those individuals who knock on your door. I used to be a Jehovah's Witness, you see. And my testimony is that for 10 years one person prayed constantly for me. Those prayers were answered. That is the most loving, Christian thing we can do.

I'm so glad you posted this question. I pray God will bless you and everyone else who joins in to help others realise the true gospel according to Jesus.

Answer 9

I do invite them in, and discuss their beliefs and my lack of beliefs in gods. They do try very hard to convert me. I find it interesting that they feel uncomfortable when I use the same tactics they use on them. I question the basis of their belief. It is a very stimulating 2-way conversation.

However, sometimes I get those only interested in a 1-way conversation. Those are shown the door post haste.

Answer 10

I have some Mormon friends who have done their share of proselytising. I've listened, taken the book out of respect, and told them that if I ever have questions I'll call.

The fact that I disagree with them doesn't mean that I can be obnoxious about it. I give them the same respect I want them to give me, even though in this case it isn't returned.

Answer 11

How will they hear without a preacher? It's the Word of God that convicts and the Spirit of God Who draws people.

It's great you want to show them the love of Christ, but give them the Word in love, also.

The seed that is planted is the Word of God. Others will water, but God will give the increase.

Blessings to you as you serve Him!