Sharing Your FaithSample

From Faltering to Flourishing

Have you ever tried sharing your faith with someone only to be intimidated by their unexpected, strong response in opposition? Did your mind go blank, leaving you deflated and feeling like a failure? That’s happened to me, and more than once!

While engaged in conversation with a family member who says he doesn’t believe in God, he strangely wanted me to know that he thought some of the Ten Commandments were actually good guidance for living, but quickly added that “it is irrelevant who wrote them.”

My retort rang hollow and made no crack in his argument, partly because, as he was speaking, I was trying to recall the Ten Commandments, but only a few came to mind. And it wasn’t the first four, which could have put a quick end to his reasoning. I left the discussion feeling defeated and guilty because of my inability to defend my beliefs.

This is one example of many where my attempts to share my faith have been thwarted. But each time, it has brought me closer to the Lord. I’ve gone to the Scriptures and read, re-read, and sometimes re-re-read them. I’ve memorized the Ten Commandments. The Lord has taught me to spend time in His presence and speak His words of truth out loud so they go deep in my heart.

We have power and authority over all the powers of the enemy – and that is where our real fight is! – and nothing shall by any means harm us (Luke 10:19), even those times when we were silent.

Each time something like this has taken place, the Lord has used it as a teaching moment. He’s not finished with me yet, and it is becoming easier to share my faith with each door He opens. He will do the same for you, my friend! You are His witness on earth. The love and blood of Jesus has the power to transform us, and it is a message worth sharing!

Prayer:

Lord, I don’t always know what to say when there is opposition to You. Sometimes it’s like having a brain freeze, making it impossible to speak. You have given us power and authority to bind the powers of darkness in opposition to us. I ask now for clarity of mind, for the powers of darkness to be bound, and for the Holy Spirit to be my guide whenever You present an opportunity to share my faith. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Do you want to go the extra mile?

• Sit with the Lord for a while and ask Him to open a door for you to share your faith
• Listen to the person you’re speaking to without thinking about how to respond. When we quiet our minds and focus on the Holy Spirit, He will give us the words to say.
• Be prepared for opposition by spending time with the Lord every day.
• God loves all people. Even the ones who oppose Him. Share your faith in love.
• Use God’s Word to support why you believe what you believe. Spending time in His Word will equip you to be ready to share your faith when the opportunity arises.