Don't waste your time on people who resist. There are more "fertile grounds". This is the sad truth about Christian evangelicals, often wasting time on a few highly resistant people when at the same time, they could have won 20 more.
Remember about
Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.
Jesus did the same thing in His ministry. Don't repeat the errors of other people.
I hope you remind your friend of that verse too.
It is wise to share the Gospel in places where people may be more receptive, but Scripture also teaches us to scatter the seed broadly, because we do not know how God will work in a person’s heart. Even in places where people may seem entirely opposed, some may quietly listen and be changed over time.
Jesus Himself said,
“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few” (Matthew 9:37). The parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3–9, 18–23) shows that seed is sown on all kinds of ground, path, rocky soil, thorns, and good soil. Some will not respond, some will fall away, but some will bear fruit a hundredfold. We cannot know in advance which hearts will respond; it is God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).
Even someone like Charlie Kirk faced opposition when he first went to universities, yet over time, his words reached many and had a lasting impact. In the same way, sharing the Gospel faithfully, even in difficult places, may plant seeds that God will use to change lives in ways we cannot yet see.
My thoughts are, I have rules ...
Some of these rules are ...
a) I always try to hear both sides of the story before forming a judgement. Until then, I try not to jump to conclusions.
b) I try to identify when someone is "manufacturing and feeding" me a story. When this happens - I consider that the source is basically selling outrage entertainment.
My assumptions about this are, someone selects a place where they can get a reaction for being controversial. They then project a horrible image onto those people. Those people sometimes act like monkeys and throw their poop at the offender.
The offender then feigns deep hurt, shock and heartfelt sorrow at the poor lost fools who are flinging their poop at the offender.
Both sides are satisfied.
The offender gets their reaction and a shallow pat on the back for being a righteous "martyr" and the poop flingers get their rage satisfied.
My thoughts are, it's a silly game. Antagonism vs Indifference. It seems the antagonists are winning.
Im thinking a lot about projection lately.
A group projects their idea of god to the world.
I hope to show people god as best i can.
When you go to a church, they will show you their picture of god and say "this is god".
It's our choice to accept their image or not.
When I see a preacher on a corner, or an offender out there offending - Im always asking myself what their image of god is.
What is he like and is that image right? Am I accepting that image or not?? What do they mean when they say "love your neighbour" ???
It’s true, some will seek reactions, and others respond with anger or indifference, but God’s work doesn’t depend on our recognition or the reactions of the crowd.
Jesus warned against doing things for show: “Beware of practising your righteousness before others in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). When we share the Gospel, our goal isn’t to get applause or shock, but to faithfully point people to Christ.
It’s also true that everyone has some image of God, whether from culture, church, or personal experience. Our responsibility is to show God as He truly is: holy, just, merciful, and loving (Exodus 34:6–7; 1 John 4:8). Jesus is the perfect image of God (Colossians 1:15), and He showed us what it means to love our neighbour, even those who oppose us (Luke 6:27–31).
Even if people react poorly or misunderstand, planting the seed faithfully matters. God is the one who transforms hearts, not the reactions of the crowd (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). That’s why people like Charlie Kirk have gone to universities even knowing they would face opposition. Over time, consistent, faithful witness can quietly change lives; even when it seems like no one is listening.
I think it's just a bit of a game to be honest.
How do you share the Gospel?
These men are brave ... courageous ... to be going into these hostile areas to preach the Word.
So many of us do not have the courage ... the faith ... the passion ... to do what they are doing.
It is a 'calling' for sure ... to be willing to potentially lay down one's life for another.
One surely must be compelled by love ... love for Jesus, love for the lost ... to go out there and take such risks nowadays.
But the Apostles took many risks. And God was with them.
More safety precautions today when possible? Yes.
And God will be with these brave men, too.
Yes. As Christians, we need to take up our cross. Even if it means persecution. To stay silent when people are perishing shows a lack of regard for God's creation and his sacrifice.
