Why am I afraid..

[plowboy22]

I am a fairly new believer and thier is an something I really need everyones help with. Why am I afraid to tell people I am a christian? If anyone can recommend any scripture I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[Sketcher]

You're not alone. You can pray for boldness, like some of the original 12 disciples had to:
"'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.'
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." - Acts 4:29-31

Now, your room might not be shaken, but you can go out into the world without fear and freely say that you are a Christian.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Tim 1:7

We are His followers, and He saved us. We should be able to say so with pride.
"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." - Luke 9:26

This does not mean that your salvation is going down the tubes if you are afraid to speak up, you can always repent for this sin, come out stronger, and do better next time. Your own failures will not overcome the cross of Christ.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 1:9-2:2

There is a band that has helped me with this through their music. If you like it good, fast, and heavy, check out No Innocent Victim. They are boldness defined. Their lyrics don't hold anything back, and they have had guns pulled on them in alleys for their faith - and they didn't flinch.

 

[DawnTillery]

I was in your shoes, My family is not what you would consider Christians, they believe in the basic principle of Jesus but not anything more - I recommend praying for boldness as was already stated, When I told my husband that I prayed for salvation, he just kind of laughed, he made me upset, but I dont care. This is where I want and need to be. I dont want to live one more day without Jesus in my life. Maybe you are in the same boat with me, you dont have anyone to share it with because they arent where you are. Keep coming to this forum. I love it here, these people are really kind. I am usualy online msg me, I will talk to you.

 

[rainbowprism]

If you want to walk on water, you gotta step outta the boat! Pray about it my friend, everyone as a new christian goes through this.

 

[mlmum]

Romans 1:16 I am not ashame of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes

Don't be ashamed. But don't push it in their face either. I have been so excited about church and God that I talk about it all the time. I can't not tell people how happy I am to be going to church on the weekend. Soon you will feel this too/

Why am I afraid to tell people I am a christian?

Because the devil is telling you not to tell them. He doesn't want the word to be spread. Push the fear away. Show family and friends what God is doing in your life by your happiness and the changes you are making. There will be many who won't accept your new life. You don't have to come out and say 'I am a christian'. Just tell people about what you are doing, going to church etc. Gradually tell them, don't just dump it all out at once!

Welcome to the family! May God give you direction and peace...

 

[plowboy22]

I want to thank everyone for the words of encouragement and advice. I will continue to pray and read my bible and let the Lord guide me.

God Bless,
Eric

 

[Daughter of His]

You might try wearing a cross around your neck, it speaks volumes to others. When I'm about to "go carnal", I remember I'm wearing the cross, I don't take it casually.

 

[jdomino]

I have the same trouble. For myself I know it is a 'pride issue'. I don't want someone to ask me a question that I can't answer or challenge my beliefs. There are a lot of non-Christians out there that more knowledgeable about the Bible than I am.

My relatives aren't Christians. It was especially hard to tell them. Again, because of pride. I don't want to have to admit to them that things I had done in the past were wrong. No one likes to hear 'I told you so'. I worry that I won't live up to their idea of what a Christian is and that they will be critical of what I do and say. The last thing I want is for them to point my sin out to me. I finally told them a few days before I was to be baptized. I was on my way out the door, and casually said I was getting baptized on Sunday. I said if anyone wants to come, I'd love to have you there. And left it that. A few came, said everyone seemed nice and never mentioned it again.

Anyhow, my advice is to pray about it. Tell God you are scared. Ask Him to give you the words to say and courage to say them when the time is right. And pray that God will make their hearts receptive. Hope that helps.

jd

 

[SHOYOLUV!]

The way you live will most often speak louder than words -- any day.