“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15
The first part of this verse is about knowing and being able to communicate what you believe. I am a firm believer that all of us need to know our Bible and be able to communicate it well. I don’t think knowing what you believe should be left to pastors. If I don’t know what I believe, then it is questionable that I believe to begin with.
But what I want to talk about now is the second part of the verse: But do this with gentleness and respect.
Gentleness is part of the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22). You can only bear the fruit of the Spirit if you live what you believe. So, Peter’s point here is that not only should you know and communicate what you believe but it should also be evident in your gentleness and respectfulness that you live what you believe.
You see, witnessing is not about winning arguments. It is about winning souls. Trust me; more than your argument it is your gentleness, your love, your care, your tone, your attitude etc… that wins souls. Most people don’t care how much you know but they want to know how much you care. Last month I took a course entitled “Communicating with impact”. One important lesson I learned was that there is a difference between vocal communication and verbal communication. Verbal communication is about how you use words. Vocal communication is about how you use your voice: the tone, projection etc... They work together but they are separate. E.g., you can say “Excuse me” to say that you are sorry or you can use it to say that you are not happy, or you disagree. It is the same verb but you just change the voicing.
The same is true about witnessing. We have a message to the world. But, how we deliver that message is as important as the message itself. Peter says we have to do it with gentleness and respect. Unlike professional stuff you have to live the gospel before you give it.
Live it so that you can give it.
The Cyber Evangelist |