Why do some of us find it very difficult to share or talk about our faith with someone?

Neogaia777 · May 20, 2015

My question is

Why do some of us find it very difficult to share or talk about our faith with someone? For some, the most difficult thing for them to do is share their faith.

Are we just not sure enough or grounded enough in the basics of our faith that we find it difficult to share with someone, or what?

What are some of the things that hold us back?

I would also like to open up this forum for ideas about sharing your faith and talking with someone? What are some good ice breakers or conversation openers that would open the door for us to share our faith, and then, what would we say?

Comments?

God Bless!

bigo1984 · May 20, 2015

I have a hard time sharing my faith with unbelievers. However if I am with someone who I know to be a believer I could talk about Christ with them for hours. I'm going to pray that God works on me with Sharing my faith to the heathen. They are the ones who need it most. I think part of my problem is I am worried about what they will think of me, which is terrible for me to admit. I just bought a few Christian shirts off of Amazon that have some bible verses and such. Could possibly work as an icebreaker. Hoping maybe people will see the shirt and ask me some questions and I can share my faith without even having to initiate the conversation.

BryanW92 · May 20, 2015

These days, its easier to admit to being gay or an adulterer or to describe the ordeal of your colonoscopy prep than it is to bring up the fact that you are a Christian to a stranger. People will listen to stories about diarrhea with interest, but ask you to kindly keep your religious views to yourself.

MWood · May 20, 2015

Maybe you are ashamed of the Gospel of God? Be bold, with a smile, and a twinkle in your eye.

Neogaia777 · May 20, 2015

MWood said:
Maybe you are ashamed of the Gospel of God? Be bold, with a smile, and a twinkle in your eye.

I blush sometimes when I think about our (me and Christ's) love/relationship for each other... We were (and I hope still are) rather "intimate", I have felt more love and a more true and real to me "relationship" and closer than any spouse or girlfriend or anybody else...

But I wouldn't call my blushing, "shame" Is it?, or not?

I can't explain my blushing, other than I am just so in love with and enamored with Jesus, we've shared "everything" together, he knows all of my most intimate details, my greatest temptations, my grossest sins, and when I think about someone who knows all of that about me, it makes me blush...

Does anyone else blush sometimes when they think of Christ, and should this cause shame?

God Bless!

Neogaia777 · May 20, 2015

I blush sometimes when I think about our (me and Christ's) love/relationship for each other... We were (and I hope still are) rather "intimate", I have felt more love and a more true and real to me "relationship" and closer than any spouse or girlfriend or anybody else...

But I wouldn't call my blushing, "shame" Is it?, or not?

I can't explain my blushing, other than I am just so in love with and enamored with Jesus, we've shared "everything" together, he knows all of my most intimate details, my greatest temptations, my grossest sins, and when I think about someone who knows all of that about me, it makes me blush...

Does anyone else blush sometimes when they think of Christ, and should this cause shame? My blushing does interfere with me sharing my faith though...

God Bless![/QUOTE]

jmount78 · May 20, 2015

I think a lot of times it is not having the confidence to answer the questions about our faith in general. In addition to reading my Bible every day, I am also studying various apologetic books to help me learn and confidently answer non-believer questions. Just my two cents.

BryanW92 · May 21, 2015

jmount78 said:
I think a lot of times it is not having the confidence to answer the questions about our faith in general. In addition to reading my Bible every day, I am also studying various apologetic books to help me learn and confidently answer non-believer questions. Just my two cents.

Even people who know the answers to the non-believer questions get tired of having to answer the same questions again and again, and to defend against the straw men created by the humanists. If someone has a genuine interest and real, honest questions, I will talk with them for as long as they want. But when they bring out the old cliche's and straw men, I dust off my sandals and move on. If you pray for wisdom, you can easily see who is leaning towards God and who is owned by Satan. Barna studies show that about 80% of Americans are in the Satan camp.

High Fidelity · May 21, 2015

No matter how comfortable a person is with discussing it, it's an incredibly personal thing.

jmount78 · May 21, 2015

Even if it is the same old argument, those are the arguments most have heard and that create the most doubt and confusion. In my opinion, confusion exists even for many Christians. If having a debate with someone who brings no new arguments against Christ to the table, then that should make it much easier to dismantle their disbelief and hopefully bring them to Christ. Old arguments and the distaste for Christianity are being repackaged every day and presented to a new audience, that is why I try learn more on how to defend the faith.

BryanW92 · May 22, 2015

jmount78 said:
Even if it is the same old argument, those are the arguments most have heard and that create the most doubt and confusion. In my opinion, confusion exists even for many Christians. If having a debate with someone who brings no new arguments against Christ to the table, then that should make it much easier to dismantle their disbelief and hopefully bring them to Christ. Old arguments and the distaste for Christianity are being repackaged every day and presented to a new audience, that is why I try learn more on how to defend the faith.

The problem is that those who have been indoctrinated by the humanists in education and the media don't bring an argument. They bring talking points and have no interest in conversation. We think we are proselytizing them, but they also think that they are proselytizing us. We want to talk and convince. They want to declare their truth and they expect you to accept it, or to at least accept that truth is relative. We should know that it isn't, but weak Christians who are indoctrinated by the humanist agenda(s) of Marxism, feminism, homosexuality, and watermelon environmentalism are willing to negotiate a "shared vision of a truth that all can accept", which is just New Age, neo-Buddhist Universalism.

jmount78 · May 22, 2015

BryanW92 said:
The problem is that those who have been indoctrinated by the humanists in education and the media don't bring an argument. They bring talking points and have no interest in conversation. We think we are proselytizing them, but they also think that they are proselytizing us. We want to talk and convince. They want to declare their truth and they expect you to accept it, or to at least accept that truth is relative. We should know that it isn't, but weak Christians who are indoctrinated by the humanist agenda(s) of Marxism, feminism, homosexuality, and watermelon environmentalism are willing to negotiate a "shared vision of a truth that all can accept", which is just New Age, neo-Buddhist Universalism.

Weak Christians are a product of a weak church and perhaps apologetics is needed to also reach them as well. I don't disagree with your viewpoints on many times the debates are being debated by two closed minds. But it is that one time when you make the other person question their viewpoint of non-faith that makes 100 other conversations worth it.

BryanW92 · May 23, 2015

jmount78 said:
Weak Christians are a product of a weak church and perhaps apologetics is needed to also reach them as well. I don't disagree with your viewpoints on many times the debates are being debated by two closed minds. But it is that one time when you make the other person question their viewpoint of non-faith that makes 100 other conversations worth it.

I had a Humanist friend telling me what the bible says one day over a year ago. After I had heard enough Humanist propaganda, I stopped him and asked, "Do you want to know what the bible really says?" He said, "I already know what it says."

When I was Methodist, I would have taken that as a challenge to keep working on him. But, now I recognize the sovereignty of God and that my friend has scales over his eyes for a reason. I will discuss God, Jesus, and scripture with someone who wants to know or honestly doesn't know but I won't waste my time with people who know and gladly accept the lies that Humanists tell them about the bible.

Kutte · May 24, 2015

Neogaia777 said:
My question is

Why do some of us find it very difficult to share or talk about our faith with someone? For some, the most difficult thing for them to do is share their faith.

Are we just not sure enough or grounded enough in the basics of our faith that we find it difficult to share with someone, or what?

What are some of the things that hold us back?

I would also like to open up this forum for ideas about sharing your faith and talking with someone? What are some good ice breakers or conversation openers that would open the door for us to share our faith, and then, what would we say?

Comments?

God Bless!

Hi Neogaia,

You've got company because "religion" is a tough subject to talk about. One tries to avoid it while attempting not to sound offensive to others. It is especially so because there are so many different religious movements, faiths and beliefs out there, everyone of them claiming it alone represents the truth. So, in order to find the "true truth" (I know it sounds ridiculous) one has to do a lot of searching. If you want to know my opinion in this regard it is simply this: If you find satisfaction and happiness in what you believe, remain there.

My best, Kutte

Alithis · May 25, 2015

Neogaia777 said:
My question is

Why do some of us find it very difficult to share or talk about our faith with someone? For some, the most difficult thing for them to do is share their faith.

Are we just not sure enough or grounded enough in the basics of our faith that we find it difficult to share with someone, or what?

What are some of the things that hold us back?

I would also like to open up this forum for ideas about sharing your faith and talking with someone? What are some good ice breakers or conversation openers that would open the door for us to share our faith, and then, what would we say?

Comments?

God Bless!

1st reason and main reason is -we care for for ourselves extensively and are not truly concerned for the eternal state of others
ie we care more about what they think of us and that they might make fun of us then we do about the truth that without Christ Jesus -they will perish "eternally"
we xare more that we may suffer a little humiliation then we do about them suffering for an eternity .

2nd reason is - we lack in both belief and faith and live a double life, claiming faith with our lips but living our lives as if God is unable to actually do anything .this causes us inner shame and silences our witness .

linssue55 · May 26, 2015

Neogaia777 said:
My question is

Why do some of us find it very difficult to share or talk about our faith with someone? For some, the most difficult thing for them to do is share their faith.

Are we just not sure enough or grounded enough in the basics of our faith that we find it difficult to share with someone, or what?

What are some of the things that hold us back?

I would also like to open up this forum for ideas about sharing your faith and talking with someone? What are some good ice breakers or conversation openers that would open the door for us to share our faith, and then, what would we say?

Comments?

God Bless!

The MORE you learn about the Lord, the easier it is to speak of Him. The words will come with KNOWLEGDE of the Word, then you NEVER stop talking about His plan, THEN it will become difficult NOT to speak of Him.

Just keep learning daily, then it WILL happen, but you MUST be persistent in learning! It IS so worth it!

BryanW92 · May 26, 2015

Kutte said:
If you want to know my opinion in this regard it is simply this: If you find satisfaction and happiness in what you believe, remain there.

You really hit the nail on the head there. We live in a culture of moral relativity and Christ is not ambiguous. He says that the only way to the Father is through him. Period! This isn't just a problem when dealing with non-Christians and atheists/agnostics/deists, but even when dealing with people in the Mainline Protestant denominations, who have adopted the "many pathways to the top of the mountain" approach that effectively calls Jesus out for being a liar in John 14:6.

So, we first have to deal with the fact that most people do not really believe in the Father, except for in a detached way where he made the Earth and then checked out on us. Then, we have to deal with the "Son" who is also part of the Trinity and the mysterious Holy Spirit (none of which is complicated--if people are willing to listen, which they won't). Then, we have to deal with the truth that all of the New Age, Neobuddhist, Joel Osteen type of churches are not really Christian. And that's just when evangelizing to cultural Christians!

Kutte · May 26, 2015

BryanW92 said:
You really hit the nail on the head there. We live in a culture of moral relativity and Christ is not ambiguous. He says that the only way to the Father is through him. Period! This isn't just a problem when dealing with non-Christians and atheists/agnostics/deists, but even when dealing with people in the Mainline Protestant denominations, who have adopted the "many pathways to the top of the mountain" approach that effectively calls Jesus out for being a liar in John 14:6.

So, we first have to deal with the fact that most people do not really believe in the Father, except for in a detached way where he made the Earth and then checked out on us. Then, we have to deal with the "Son" who is also part of the Trinity and the mysterious Holy Spirit (none of which is complicated--if people are willing to listen, which they won't). Then, we have to deal with the truth that all of the New Age, Neobuddhist, Joel Osteen type of churches are not really Christian. And that's just when evangelizing to cultural Christians!

Hi Bryan,

"The only way to the Father is through me" is a strong statement, no question about it. But, perhaps it can be argued that this statement needs to be seen in the context of the times when Jesus talked to his disciples. It may not necessarily apply to someone living in Asia.

My best, Kutte

BryanW92 · May 26, 2015

Kutte said:
Hi Bryan,

"The only way to the Father is through me" is a strong statement, no question about it. But, perhaps it can be argued that this statement needs to be seen in the context of the times when Jesus talked to his disciples. It may not necessarily apply to someone living in Asia.

My best, Kutte

Jesus lived in Asia. It would apply more to them than to a person living in the Western Hemisphere. Why should Westerners be burdened with extra rules? If an Asian can get to the Father by worshiping Buddha, then why couldn't a Roman get there through Zeus or Athena or a German by worshiping Odin? Were the Apostles cruel monsters for bringing their near eastern faith to the rest of the 1st century world when all those people were perfectly acceptable to the Father in their old religions?

"It can be argued" that your belief turns evangelism into the ultimate jerk move by trying to take away a person's cultural religion (which is an acceptable way to the Father, as you argue) and replacing it with a different one that is equally acceptable.

Neogaia777 · May 26, 2015

BryanW92 said:
I had a Humanist friend telling me what the bible says one day over a year ago. After I had heard enough Humanist propaganda, I stopped him and asked, "Do you want to know what the bible really says?" He said, "I already know what it says."

When I was Methodist, I would have taken that as a challenge to keep working on him. But, now I recognize the sovereignty of God and that my friend has scales over his eyes for a reason. I will discuss God, Jesus, and scripture with someone who wants to know or honestly doesn't know but I won't waste my time with people who know and gladly accept the lies that Humanists tell them about the bible.

So, you believe all of the Bible to be taken literally and is literally true?, and is not meant to be interpreted in any other sort of way (other than literal)? When we are trying to operate in the Spirit, and are to interpret and discern things spiritually; are we interpreting literally?, or operating in some other sort of way, another kind of truth?

I don't know what what you mean by humanists? I don't know what a humanist is?

I found this: "

In the Renaissance, a scholar who studied the languages and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome; today, a scholar of the humanities. The term secular humanist is applied to someone who concentrates on human activities and possibilities, usually downplaying or denying the importance of God and a life after death.

I'm a "student of humanity or the humanities" but I don't downplay the importance of God, I magnify it/him...

God Bless!

Why do some of us find it very difficult to share or talk about our faith with someone?

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