Pride issues

[lenpettis74]

I started actively witnessing and handing out tracts about 18 months ago and when I started I had no one from my church willing to join me. I think it's understandable that most people get very nervous when talking about witnessing to strangers.

I decided to start a blog (matthew4nineteen.blogspot.com) with videos and stories of my experiences hoping that people would see what I'm doing and how it isn't so scary, after all, if I can do it, anyone can do it.

It hasn't really helped, but people are certainly interested in what I'm doing, yet there seem to be a number of people who are uncomfortable around me and talk to me less.

I wonder if people think I'm doing this out of pride, or if I see myself as more 'spiritual' than them. I worry that I may be somehow giving this impression with the way I carry myself, the way I tell the stories, or just by the fact that I have the blog at all.

I also find myself looking at the stats of how many people view my blog often, and I wonder if I do have some pride issues? I pray that God alone receives the glory for the work of His servant, but sometimes I wonder if I am only honoring Him with my lips and not my heart.

Anyone else have similar issues? Advice would be helpful.

 

[gellRN]

Sometimes I had thought of pride issues especially during the first months that I have been saved just last year. What I do is I always ask for the LORD's guidance and not lean on my own understanding because I know HE knows far more greater than anybody 'cause HE created us. When I ask HIM anything, especially strength to overcome, in HIS Son's name, HE never fails. I know HIS will for us is not to cease in prayer to HIM but this takes humbling ourselves in HIS presence, that we can not do anything apart from HIM who gives us good things.

 

[coreya]

Your doing a great thing, and I want to encourage you keep doing it.

My guess is that the people around you may just not fully understand what you are doing, or agree with it. Don't let that bother you. Jesus had the same thing.

Just because you find yourself looking at the stats, does not mean you have pride issue. This ca be a good thing for at least a couple reasons.
- Its motivating to see that your blog is being read by more people
- You can monitor it to see if sertain posts, marketing, etc. have helped or hurt your readership

Keep it up.

 

[MikeBigg]

Len,

I have similar questions, sometimes. Like you I am active on the streets, but don't often stand and preach, but work off words of knowledge to lead me to people. (I started after reading the Treasure Hunting book by Kevin Dedmon, but am often alone, not in a group as portrayed in the book).

I have stories (testimonies) to tell, but don't share many in the church context as I feel I may be being judged. These feelings may not be right, but may be symptoms from my general insecurity in life.

(Incidently, I don't know if this applies to you, but generally evangelists have these kind of insecurities. This is counter-intuitive as most people think that evangelists are the ones who can talk to anyone. An insecure person has to rely on God for boldness and in some ways that produces more anointing).

There are two problems with not sharing testimonies:

1) The church is not built-up and individuals are not encouraged to give it a go.

2) Testimonies are the prophecy of Jesus - so testifying can be a way to see it happen again ... and again. Bill Johnson talks a lot on this and has a book on it.

Another thing to consider is that the motive behind not sharing a testimony can be pride.

My ways round this, though I'm not satisfied with where I'm at with it yet, is:

1) I have a few good friends who are always excited to hear my stories (and failures). I tell them often. A couple of them also remind me about some of the stories. "Hey Mike, do you remember when .... ". That's encouraging.

2) I have put a couple of testimonies on forums like this one (I made a mistake of putting some healing testimonies on a Christian forum populated by cessasionists - only to be accused of making things up the healings were obviously phycosomatic. So choose your forum carefully )

As for the people who have started not talking to you - be careful not to judge them for not taking part, or badger them to take part. We are all called to evangelise, but not all in the same way. Guard that you are showing them love and grace.

I hope this helps a little.

Fresh blessings,

Mike

 

[onenarrowdoor]

The only way that I can get the pendulum of pride and discouragement to stop is to spend time at rest, in a straight line, with Him. When the pendulum is in full swing, it takes God to stop it - one day I might learn to not depart from that place of rest and become a more effective evangelist in the process.

 

[parsley]

Cool idea. I see you've moved a lot over to YTube.

Matthew4Nineteen - YouTube

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I would not be too worried about it. The pride thing I mean. I love to share my healing testimonies, and stuff that God does. I think I am a bit proud. But it is all good fun in my opinion.

Don't worry about the whole "gifts are given to the church" thing, they are actually given for the world, your gift is needed by the world, the church may or may not join you but your stories may inspire some.

Hell is fearful of a good story. Keep them coming. If you like blogging try facebook, I have multiple online church like things on there... I have preached the gospel to 100,s of thousands on there. You do have to pay some money to advertise your posts, but it is cheaper than any other paid form of evangelism.

 

[Jesusisgood]

Your doing a great thing, and I want to encourage you keep doing it.

My guess is that the people around you may just not fully understand what you are doing, or agree with it. Don't let that bother you. Jesus had the same thing.

Just because you find yourself looking at the stats, does not mean you have pride issue. This ca be a good thing for at least a couple reasons.
- Its motivating to see that your blog is being read by more people
- You can monitor it to see if sertain posts, marketing, etc. have helped or hurt your readership

Keep it up.

amen! I agree, it is wonderful and not prideful at all. If, for some reason, someone did think you were prideful, you are NOT and that's all that matters.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Good to look above, and remember the One Who "humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross". (Philippians 2.8).

Blessings.