Is being a jerk a good evangelism strategy?

Michie · Thursday at 8:32 AM

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, there’s been a massive surge of his followers who have a newfound curiosity in what he was most passionate about — his faith in Jesus Christ.

But I’ve been dismayed that at such a pivotal moment, with so many searching for answers, there are a multitude of Christian Pharisees online running them off with their pious attitudes.

In one such case, a young woman on X started posting her “Jesus-curious” journey. She enjoyed visiting a church for the first time in years and decided to purchase her first Bible. Innocently enough, she shared a photo of her new Bible, not realizing that people claiming to be Christians would pounce and dig their religious claws into her.

As I read the responses to her posts, I was repulsed by these people. They immediately started telling her the Bible version she purchased was wrong. I couldn’t believe that instead of encouraging her to seek Jesus, they were criticizing her choice of Bible translation. They were shaming her so vehemently, she regretted ever sharing her journey. There was no walking in wisdom or speaking gracefully as the apostle Paul instructs us in Colossians 4:6; only condemnation and judgment.

It spawned a righteous indignation in me like I haven’t felt in a long time, and I wanted to crack the whip and flip tables like Jesus did when He cleared the Temple. I was outraged by the nastiness I was witnessing. After the initial assault on this woman, a second attack came as she described how different congregations treated her when she visited.

Continued below.

Is being a jerk a good evangelism strategy?

We are supposed to be Christ s ambassadors, but when we are puffed up and self-righteous, we fail miserably

www.christianpost.com

Fervent · Thursday at 8:45 AM

Not all who bear the name, bear the cross.

Gregory Thompson · Thursday at 9:37 AM

Sometimes going out to eat is a good strategy, but you were talking about being a Jerk, not eating Jerk Chicken.

com7fy8 · Thursday at 6:26 PM

So, part of walking with Jesus is discovering how to relate with people who do not know how to love.

"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved." (2 Corinthians 12:15)

Also, by the way . . . my opinion is that certain ones can act as though they are promoting a certain translation, but they are part of Satan's strategy to give that translation a bad name.

So, we need to learn how to be wise to people. We have counterfeit Christians who are intended to give the real Christianity a bad name. So, sheep of Jesus need to learn how to handle this.

But have hope for evil people > love "hopes all things" (in 1 Corinthians 13:7). Do not allow unloving people to have power over us to decide what we do and how we see things. Make sure with God and His word, and have people who are good examples who help you.

Fervent · Thursday at 7:14 PM

I hope I'm not breaking any rules with this, but a lot of this kind of behavior is because of the presentation of the gospel as a message of personal salvation rather than keeping the focus on the goodness of God. The whole "Well, becoming a Christian is a free ticket to heaven" messaging is bound to tickle ears and appeal to prideful people who think they're the center of the world. Combine that with access to unquestionable authority by saying "I'm just saying what's in the Bible!" and you've got a cocktail for rampant abusive behavior.

com7fy8 · Thursday at 7:44 PM

Fervent said:
I hope I'm not breaking any rules with this, but a lot of this kind of behavior is because of the presentation of the gospel as a message of personal salvation rather than keeping the focus on the goodness of God. The whole "Well, becoming a Christian is a free ticket to heaven" messaging is bound to tickle ears and appeal to prideful people who think they're the center of the world. Combine that with access to unquestionable authority by saying "I'm just saying what's in the Bible!" and you've got a cocktail for rampant abusive behavior.

Yes, I can try to get fame and praise and attention . . . by using the Bible to try to make myself look good.

This is what narcissists do > piggy-backing on the desirability of some popular thing or person, in order to get that popularity and attention for themselves. I have done this.

Thank you for the reminder

Gregory Thompson · 2025-10-24T08:49:56-0500

Fervent said:
"I'm just saying what's in the Bible!"

Reminds me of those verses where dung is used in a profane way, and God does not seem offended .. but the human sometimes takes exception.

JustaPewFiller · 2025-10-24T11:05:06-0500

Being a jerk is seldom a good strategy in any occasion.

This is one of the bad things about social media in general. This site is a relativity safe place for Christians of different denominations and different stages in their journey to share and discuss things thanks to the mods and the community.

Broader social media in general (X, Reddit, Facebook / Meta, TicTock, etc).. no so much.

It should probably be different, but it really isn't. No matter how you practice your Christian faith, there will always be another person identifying as a Christian, somewhere, that cannot wait to tell you, at length, often with a degree of venom and volume that, "YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG!!"....in love..of course.

RDKirk · 2025-10-24T19:22:03-0500

Fervent said:
Not all who bear the name, bear the cross.

For many, Jesus is just a gang sign.

RDKirk · 2025-10-24T19:28:09-0500

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” 1 Peter 3:15–16

“Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.” 1 Peter 2:12

“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves…” 2 Timothy 2:24–25

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.” Titus 3:2

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:5–6

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18

If you must offend someone, let it be because of the truth or content of what you’re saying, not because of your attitude or delivery.

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Is being a jerk a good evangelism strategy?

Michie

Well-Known Member