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How would you minister to people? (addressing sins)

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Posted by: Frederik

I am just having a discussion with somebody at another board who accuses me of making the sinners feel bad and pushing them away cause I think that you shouldn't beat around the bush and when for example somebody is in sin then you should say this. But this person seems to have a different approach. He seems to think that if you confront unsaved people with their sin then this will push them away, instead you have to show them God's love.
I don't know. To me this sounds like trying to brown-nose someone in order to increase the chances of somehow convincing him to convert. But in the end it's the person which decides and if the person doesn't want to repent then you can brown-nose as much as you want and you can be as nice as you want then the person will not repent. I am really sick of this down-watered stuff which many christians today use when they try to convert people. This whole: "Hey, God has a plan for you, he loves you." stuff.
I feel like they are scared that if they directly approach sin and judgement people which be pushed away or they will complain about those judgemental christians.
But look at John the baptist. Did he down-water his message? Did he try to appeal to people? I don't think so. But somehow this person even caused me to feel kinda bad and unloving cause I wouldn't beat around the bush.
What do you think about this? What would you do? Imagine you meet a person which is involved in adultery what would you do? Would you say it straight in her face that this is sin or would you come up with this: "Hey, I don't agree with how you live, but I accept you nevertheless" stuff? How would you behave? Would you directly approach this topic or would you try to first of all gain the friendship of this person and not say anything about it and only try to minister to the person by showing her love?


Posted by: bro ron

i dont know about others but i believe we just preach the message of the cross !!!!!!! if they hear,,, the holy spirit will convict them of their sin's ..who am i to try and judge..i keep it simple and just preach Jesus !!!!


Posted by: MarkSentMe

Quote:
Imagine you meet a person which is involved in adultery what would you do?


I have never met a person, whom upon the first meeting, comes right out and admits to being involved in an adulterous relationship.
I do have a friend whom I have know for 26 years who told me of her affair between her and a deacon at her church. Since I have known her since we were in junior high school together, I had no problem delivering a Scriptural smack-down.
For how to minister to the unsaved and unchurched, see my posts regarding "Share Jesus Without Fear" where you walk someone through the Bible WITHOUT YOUR OWN INPUT!! You turn a page, THEY read the verse and you keep quiet. Then ask "What does that say to you?" and keep quiet, allowing them to answer. It's not sugar-coating or watering down; it's witnessing without creating animosity.


Posted by: Frederik



When we witness to people what should be our main focus and priority?
Showing them that they are sinners and need forgiveness or showing them that God loves them? What is more effective? This "Hey, God loves you and he has a wondeful plan for you" stuff or rather showing them that they are sinners and lost?
If you come up with this "ever told a lie?" stuff then some christians will say that you only make people feel bad and condemn them and don't show them God's love.


Posted by: GODS Grace

Dear Father,

You tell us that wise men win soul. Help us to follow Your leading.
Your Holy Spirit must first draw men to You to be saved. Teach us to be gentle as doves and wise as shrewd serpents. Move us with compassion for souls! Love, Grace


Posted by: MarkSentMe

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)

What does this verse say to you?

"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23)

*Notice "sin" is singular. That means sin all sin is equal. So pilfering that piece of gum is EQUAL to murder in the eyes of God. While some religions weigh sin differently (ie: mortal sins, carnal sins, deadly sins, little white sins) GOD weighs them all the same. Death is eternal separation from God, meaning eternity in Hell.

"No one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3)

What does this verse say to you?

"I am the truth, the way and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6)

What does this verse say to you?

"If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, 'Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame' " (Romans 10:9-11)

What does this verse say to you?

"He died for all that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him Who died for them and was raised again." (2 Corinthians 5:15)

What does this verse say to you?

" 'Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with Me.' " (Revelation 3:20)

What does this verse say to you?

*****************************************

1. Are you a sinner? ___yes ____no

2. Do you want forgiveness for your sin? ____yes ____no

3. Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again? ___Yes ___no

4. Are you willing to surrender your life to Christ? ____yes ___no

5. Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life and into your heart? ___yes ___no


You have to find the balance of addressing sin with "God loves you!" By telling someone the Good news, you are not lying to them, God DOES love them! And He wants a relationship with them. But He will not "Grandma wink" and allow unconfessed, unrepented sin to enter heaven. Society wants to believe that God so loves people that He will allow their worldliness, lustfulness, and sinfulness into the Kingdom! Not everyone will go to heaven.
God is a loving God, but He is also a just God. And He disciplines His children just as our earthly fathers do.
Calling a fellow Christian out about his/her sins is not necessarily bad.

Quote:
If you come up with this "ever told a lie?" stuff then some christians will say that you only make people feel bad and condemn them and don't show them God's love.


Only the Holy Spirit can convict someone. If you point out the truth, as in someone you know who is committing adultery and you call them out on it, they either accept what you say, confess their sin to God and repent and turn from that sin, or they will reject what you say as being judgemental, show no remorse for their actions or worse yet, give excuse and rationalize their behavior. But if God puts something on your heart to stand as His witness, then you must tell them.


Posted by: GODS Grace

Hello Frederick,

No normal person likes reject, nor having others accuse ones motives as being wrong. Paul wrote to encourage believers of Christ: II Corinthians 2:14-17;
  • V.14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us to triumph in Christ, and through us diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.
  • V.15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
  • V.16 To the one we are "the aroma of death leading to death", and to the other "the aroma of life leading to life." And who is sufficient for these things?
  • V.17 For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we spoke in the sight of God in Christ.
When someone rejects Christ suffering and death on the cross for them, as encouragement remember that as believers we represent” the aroma of life and to others death” in the world.

Here are some more bible verses to strengthen your spirit
during attacks that question your "motive" of "love";
  • Luke 6:26 "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their father treated the false prophets."
  • John 12:43 ...for they love the praise "approval of man" more than the approval of God.
Remember you are very precious to God. He wants to be your master in control of your life, and doesn't want to share you with anyone. God is on your side so don't allow false statements or attacks by others that try to make you "feel bad" control you.
  • I Tim.3:9 tells us to "keep hold of the deep truths of faith with a clear conscience"
Feeling "bad" is an emotion. Our emotions are not alway completely true. Biblically guilt is something legal, not emotional. Jesus died for our guilt, to put us into a state of "no condemnation." Judging "motive" is between You and God. It's God's job and no one else can give you the correct answer. If we honestly ask and search God to show us the truth he will. I Cor. tells us clearly what love is and is not. God has provided his grace as a free gift. Think about the word "gift." The word "Gift" implied no strings attached. The gift is provided because someone loves someone and wants to do something for him or her. Period. That's how God views his gift of salvation to us. It cost him his Son. It was motivated out of love for us. And our response is to receive it, and be grateful. Gratitude for what He has done "motivates" us to love others. I Cor. tell us that one of the fruit of the spirit of love is gentleness. Jesus doesn't say, ”I will knock the door down and force them to except me!"
  • Rev. 3:20 "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
Everyone doesn't hear or opens the door. So, be comforted that you are in good company, in the fact that Jesus is very acquainted with rejection.

I pray God continues to give you confidence as His witness : As you witness pray and believe this verse over the people that you believe God is leading you to speak to.
  • Paul confronting the Corinthians; "even if I cause you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it-I see that my letter hurt you, but only temporary-yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance or Godly sorrow. II Cor. 7:8-9
Place your complete confidence in Christ and know you can't "save" or change them. Being human we can only influence them by trusting and obeying the Holy Spirit of God as previously mentioned;
[quote from MarkSentMe] You have to find the balance of addressing sin with "God loves you!"
Only the Holy Spirit can convict someone. If you point out the truth, as in someone you know who is committing adultery and you call them out on it, they either accept what you say, confess their sin to God and repent and turn from that sin, or they will reject what you say as being judgemental, show no remorse for their actions or worse yet, give excuse and rationalize their behavior. But if God puts something on your heart to stand as His witness, then you must tell them.[/QUOTE]
Blessings!!!...Grace