Sharing The Love of Christ Towards People Who Just Don't Want to Listen

Bruce Leiter · Aug 3, 2020

I know people's persistent unbelief is very frustrating. However, it doesn't all depend on you to get them to believe. I have two people who are on my daily prayer list who have shown no signs of believing after years since I witnessed to them. You said that you could pray for them, you guess. But prayer is God's vehicle to send other Christians and his Word to them. All you can do is witness to them and maintain your unconditional love in relationship with them, while loving them but not their unbelieving lifestyles.

Always be persistent in prayer while letting God give his results in their lives, perhaps by letting other people come into their lives to give their testimonies too. Like farmers, we're spiritual seed-scatterers. God makes the seeds grow in the lives he wants to rescue.

Davist · Aug 3, 2020

I know people like that too. It would be easy to land on the conclusion that they're just stubborn or defiant. However, getting to know those people, I usually find a different story. The people in my circle like this usually have been burned by Christianity in the past and are very reluctant to listen now just out of self preservation.

For me personally, I'm trying to be more self aware as a Christian. I'm trying to listen to people who seem like they don't want to listen, because they often have very useful feedback and perspectives.

The general perception of Christianity right now among non-Christians (from what I gather) is that it's blighted by misogyny, homophobia, and hypocrisy. Obviously, Christianity is a diverse pool of people, but speaking from my personal experiences, and the experiences of others I've listened to, that perception isn't unwarranted.

I guess my point is, in addition to what others are saying, maybe keep an eye out in your own church to make sure we're not needlessly confirming negative biases. If people don't want to listen to you, maybe you can listen to them. That might open a door to a conversation at the very least.

Anthony2019 · Aug 3, 2020

I don't think there is necessarily a definitive way to approach evangelism. Each of us is different. Some of us are extrovert, others of us (like me) are more quiet. We have our own personalities, our experience and the gifts that God has given us to serve. And the people we approach are different too. They have different levels of understanding and different ways of responding. Some are more receptive than others to hearing the gospel.
There is an old saying I learned many years ago. Kindness is the language which everyone understands. People may not appreciate or even understand what we have to say, but they will certainly remember how we said it. Very often people do not want to be hearers, they want to be heard. In a world that sometimes seem very cruel, unjust and painful, they want to know that someone is listening to them and that they care.
We are most likely to be able to start conversations about our faith when we do something kind that is completely unexpected. When our work colleague is underperforming at her job, we don't side with anyone, we don't bicker, gossip or judge, instead we offer her our help and support. We don't focus on how bad they are, but on their qualities. When we walk past the homeless man in the street, we don't just give away our loose change, we stop and speak with him and show that we are listening. People don't expect others in the world to do these sort of things. That is why when we do it, sooner or later people start to see there is something different about us. It may lead them on to ask about why we do the things we do, what we believe, and that is our opportunity to share it with them.

friend of · Aug 3, 2020

Preach the gospel to every living thing

JacksBratt · Aug 3, 2020

Aren't we supposed to shake the dust off our shoes from that town?

Also.. a really good idea.... "preach the gospel continually, when needed... use words".

We don't have to force feed it to people.. People, even kids.. .will do, much more naturally, what there parents do... not what their parents tell them to do...

People learn by watching more than listening.

Just plant the seed... water it with your actions. Let God do the rest.. Oh.. and pray for them continually.

rturner76 · Aug 4, 2020

Yes!

I worked with a woman who through her actions, showed how a good Christian behaves. I mean she was always polite, positive, helpful, and always clean and pressed. She never spoke a word about her faith but sometimes people including myself asked her "how do you do it? How is it that people never bother you or get you angry?" She would just kind of shrug it off but when the subject of her high quality of customer service came up, someone disclosed that she was a devout Christian.

More that one of us said, "I want what she has." I reviewed my own faith life and entered into a time of study to see what kind of theology was "best." and I ended up a Roman Catholic. Never got to her level of peace of mind but I got reacquainted with Christ and his people.

The #1 thing people hate about Christians is when we push our beliefs onto them. "Pearls before swine" is how Christ describes it. We should only offer this life to those who are seeking God or peace. The more we try to convince someone they need Christ, the harder their heart gets. Having the need to bring everyone you know to Christ leaves us frustrated and unsatisfied. We can always offer the truth but if they don't want it, "knock the dust off your sandals and go to the next village" as Christ says.

rturner76 · Aug 4, 2020

I understand the need to share what you have with others effectively bringing sight to the blind. Thing is, people, don't even realize they are blind. They have been living that way so long they don't need to see to live

What's the solution when nobody wants to hear your testimony? Go where people seek God but don't feel free to follow Christ yet. Places like prisons, jails, hospitals, detox centers, treatment centers. One thing I have done is order these booklets that are the gospel of John. It's the Pocket Testament League. You can have them sent to you for a donation or even for free if you can't pay.

THen you can stand somewhere or go to work and simply ask if they want one. If yes great! You can check back later and see what they think of it and maybe have a conversation about what they read casually. They didn't want it or they got it and didn't read it just remember "pearls before swine" This knowledge is priceless. You wouldn't give a jewel to someone who doesn't;t care about those things. It won't mean anything to them. Neither will Christ if they don't care for the knowledge you are providing. People really resent being told they are not living right.

Gary K · Aug 4, 2020

I have not read this entire thread. I post to this just to relate one of my recent experiences with someone who got really upset with me for bringing up God.

There was homeless guy living in his van right across the street from our house. After he'd been living there for about a week the starter on his van failed and he put a for sale sign in the windshield. He sat there for about another week without fixing it so I asked him if he had the money to repair his van. He said no. So I told him if he would pull his failed starter I would buy him a new one as the core charge on a new starter can be anywhere from around $40 to around $70. He said OK but it took him two weeks to pull the old starter. When he did I went down and bought the new one. He installed it in a couple of days.

I'd been talking to him off and on the entire time he'd been living there and it was pretty obvious the guy has some sort of mental problems. Anyway a week or so after I got him the starter I asked him how he came to be homeless as the guy is pretty intelligent. As I was homeless for a short time in the 70s I told him there was no reason to be ashamed of it because I knew what it was like by experience. He gave me a rather disjointed reply so I told him how I had come to live a useful life afterward. I told him the story of my conversion and how God had changed my life. He said he didn't have a Bible to read so I offered to get him one.

He then began to get a little agitated and told me NOT get him a Bible. I said OK, but told him having a Bible was one of the best ways to get to know God. Then he said he didn't have to time do anything like that. I looked him in the eye and asked him what took up his days that he didn't have time to read the Bible because all he did was sit there all day long talking to himself even after I got him the new starter. He then started telling me he was making a difference in the world by not polluting and that was what would make God decide to save him. I told him that the reason I had bought him a new starter was because of the love God had placed for him in my heart to help him. He didn't like that idea at all.

The upshot of our entire conversation was that the next morning he moved to some other parking place in town. Just talking to him about God made him mad enough, or convicted enough, to stop talking with me.

It will be interesting to see if he ever comes around again and speak to me. But hopefully a seed has been planted and some other Christian will reap the harvest.

GaveMeJoy · Aug 5, 2020

We are only called to share the gospel, not convince, persuade or engage people into believing it. It’s a huge relief when you can focus on the fact that neither you or Billy Graham has the power to convince a single heart to turn to Christ. It’s a function of the Holy Spirit and you aren’t really involved other than being a conduit of the message.

remember Jesus loves them even more than you do! So imagine how he feels and what he’s going to do to try and draw them to him. If they don’t follow his lead, there are no words or actions from you who can make it happen. If anything, being too persistent with friends and other unbelievers with the gospel and not sharing in love with tact can do damage to the process for them IMO

SANTOSO · Aug 5, 2020

Yes, there is something you can do, sister !

WEEP !

you may be surprised why I suggest you do that.

Let me elaborate in what God has moved to make me write this :

Are we weeping the way we should ?

Those who sow in tears

shall reap with shouts of joy! -Psalms 126:5

I do not know when I sow in tears.

How I know then to reap with shouts of joy ?

But when remembering when others accuse, hurt, offend, mistreat, reject and abandon me !

I know then I have sowed in tears!

How then I reap with shouts of joy ?

He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy, as he carries his sheaves of grain. -Psalms 126:6

Well, I know about the weeping part !

But what is this about bearing the seed for sowing means??

Where is this home that I can shouts for joy?

What are my sheaves?

Now the parable is this: The seed is the God’s message.-Luke 8:11

I come to understand then those who are bearing up with difficulty people when telling the message of God are those weep !

In other words,

Are we weeping when we tell the message of God ?

Why we weep ?

Yes, we have heard God is love.

But when told to love one another?

We find it is impossible with our strength to bring to its goal in us!

We find no strength in ourselves to forgive others !

We find no wisdom in ourselves to speak others when others stop listening to us or distort what we say. Why are God tell us to do the impossible?

Why this happened?

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked,

for whatever one sows,

that will he also reap. -Galatians 6:7

Those who keep sowing in the field of of their old nature,

in order to meet its demands,

will eventually reap ruin;

but those keep sowing in the field of the Spirit

will reap from the Spirit everlasting life.-Galatians 6:8

Have we sows in the Spirit?

Like what apostle Peter said :

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God;

whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies;

so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,

to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.-1 Peter 4:11

Many could hate us, oppose, shake their heads, humiliate or even curse us to death when we tell the message of God !

Be gracious to me, O LORD!

See my affliction from those who hate me,

O You who lift me up from the gates of death, -Psalms 9:13

that I may recount all Your praises,

that in the gates of the daughter of Zion I may rejoice in Your salvation. -Psalms 9:14

Yes, God see us when people hate us, too!

He knows our affliction when we are hated.

God even lift us up from the gates of death

and brings home to Zion in the heavenly city of Jerusalem

where is our home, that is,

where we shouts for joy for His salvation!

As Jesus have said:

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. -John 15:18

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own;

but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. -John 15:19

Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.'

If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.

If they kept My word, they will also keep yours. -John 15:20

But all these things they will do to you on account of My name, because they do not know Him who sent Me. -John 15:21

Yes, when we suffer for Christ’s sake, we weep !

My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep Your law of Spirit. -

Psalms 119:136

He who goes out weeping,

bearing the seed for sowing,

shall come home with shouts of joy,

as he carries his sheaves of grain. -Psalms 126:6

Yes, the seed that we carry is Jesus Christ Nazareth !

Yes, we carry the seed, that is, the message of God, His gospel !

Yes, we carry our sheaves of grain into the heavenly mountain, Mount Zion !

And Jesus answered them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. -John 12:23

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. -John 12:24

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. -John 12:25

If anyone serves me, he must follow me;

and where I am, there will my servant be also.

If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. -John 12:26

Let us hate to see ourselves walking in the old nature,

Let us find ourselves walking in the Spirit, for we shall reap eternal life that the Lord our God promise.

Let us be filled with this divine life of God when the Spirit of God fills our hearts with the love of God.

Let us rejoice in this steadfast love of God.

Let us go to the holy mountain, Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King Jesus Christ, the joy of all the earth. -Psalm 46:1-2

——————————————————————-

Yes, sister— we all need to do is suffer for Christ’s sake. For Christ is our beloved.
If it means that we weep when bringing the message of the Gospel of our Lord, we shall endure that we might reign with Him.
We should rejoice because when we are prosecuted for sharing the Good News of our Beloved, Heavenly Bridegroom— we enter the fellowship of His suffering. When we suffer for Christ and with Christ, we shall be glorified in Christ.

How awesome that is !
We are united with our Lord Jesus Christ,then we can now comfort with our Lord, The Man of Sorrows.

He would be pleased with us because we keep His commandments and abide in His love.
His glorious presence is our joy in His everlasting love.

Continue to love our Lord Jesus Christ, sister!

BBAS 64 · Aug 5, 2020

Good Day,

It is a struggle for everyone in one way or the other.

Recommend reading JI Packers work on Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. It is with out doubt the best work on the subject.

In Him,

Bill

Joined2krist · Aug 5, 2020

Many people have been preached to at some point in their lives but they didn't accept the message of the gospel because the devil stole it from their hearts through unbelief, their worries; anxieties; and cares of this world, the weakness of the flesh or the pleasures of life.

Ask the Holy Spirit to show or lead you to ways that you can bear fruits for God's kingdom. When He responds, you will find peace and still succeed in leading souls to experience Christ's love for them.

Randy777 · Aug 5, 2020

He can relate.
"Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.

April_Rose · Aug 5, 2020

So,.. umm,.. what does that mean?

Sketcher · Aug 6, 2020

Nope.

Do bear in mind though, that it's not necessarily wasted effort. Consider the time you have spent, and the people you have met through reaching out to them. For example, one of my former roommates made a bad decision and allowed an old acquaintance of his to room with us after he got out of jail, and of course he wanted to witness to him. Long story short, he resisted the Gospel, he violated his probation, and got himself back in jail. But, through him, my roommate came into contact with another guy who was actually a seeker and IIRC, he either had become a Christian, or was very close when last I heard. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Randy777 · Aug 6, 2020

If Jesus couldn't convince them then the fault lies in the hearts of the unbelievers.

BBAS 64 · Aug 6, 2020

Good day, Randy

There is a construction that does not any sense " Jesus couldn't"...

What is it you are specifically suggesting that God purposes to do, and is incapable of, or lacks the ability to exactly carryout?

The unbeliever has a heart of stone, he is in need of a new heart. God must remove the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh.

In Him,

Bill

BBAS 64 · Aug 6, 2020

Good Day, Rose2020

There are a few things that have to be considered in the context of this verse, and particular questions that have to be answered to rightly understand the text.

Who or what is "Jerusalem, Jerusalem"
Who or what are "your children"
What is the noun or pronoun that "you were not willing." refers to ?

This verse has nothing to do with the power of the Gospel unto Salvation.

Remember the Sheep hear the voice of their Shepard.
Remember that all that the Father gives to Jesus... come to Jesus.

In Him,

Bill

Eloy Craft · Aug 6, 2020

You've done well I'm sure. You've told them everything they need to know about Jesus and now things can move foreward with transparency, Keep a casual lookout for God working with you in this new environment,

April_Rose · Aug 6, 2020

Thank you.

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