1 Corinthians 2:14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

This truth is constantly on display, particularly so right now as the US is gearing up for a presidential election. Non-Christians, and people in the media particularly, are ridiculing the positions taken by Christian candidates to a degree never seen before. From my perspective, the Christian positions are the only logical ones, but they seem foolish to those who have rejected God’s Spirit. On a more personal level, it is a complete waste of time to discuss some things with people before they become Christians, because they simply aren’t going to understand what is being said to them. The Bible has plenty of foundational truth that even a child can understand, but until that truth is received in repentance and faith, anything beyond that is just noise. This is a vital consideration in evangelism. Many people try to say too much to those who don’t have ears to hear it.

I have certainly been guilty here. With my gifting as a teacher, I tend to spout off more information than my listener wants to hear, and not just on matters of faith. It’s not a major problem if I happen to be a bore on other subjects, but being ineffective in communicating the Gospel is a tragedy. I need to allow the Holy Spirit to shut me up as well as put words in my mouth! I think this is the sort of thing Paul was talking about in verse 2 of this same chapter: “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I need to allow the Holy Spirit to refine what I say so that I don’t confuse or overwhelm people with things that, though true, aren’t essential for salvation. Likewise, as a pastor I need to train the believers to do the same. I’ve seen one believer thoroughly confuse a seeker by telling them far more than they needed to know at that point. I certainly understand the impulse, because I’ve yielded to it far too often myself. The difficulty here becomes one of canned presentations. When we use limited material, there are only a limited number of ways it can be arranged. That’s why sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is essential, as well as relating personal experience. Many believers don’t try to evangelize because they can’t express theology clearly, when they shouldn’t be trying to express theology, but rather their own experience of a God who loved them enough to save them.

Father, once again I’m past the level of my wisdom. I’m not a very effective evangelist myself, and I need to train others in evangelism! I ask for Your clear guidance and anointing, so that we all may be effective witnesses of Christ, bringing many to repentance and faith, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!