THINGS THAT KEEP YOU FROM BEING A WITNESS

Answer: “I feel inadequate.”

Do you fear witnessing to people because of your own inadequacy? Don’t worry, I also feel inadequate at times, and I know many other Christians feel the same way.

Several years ago, I was struggling to read. I just couldn’t focus and words on the page were blurred. After going to an optometrist and being given glasses I was able to focus and read clearly. I couldn’t read because my focus was wrong.

In the same way, we can feel inadequate when we have the wrong focus, when we are focusing on our own ability and intelligence.

Do you know that Jesus never intended you to be his witness in your own strength using your own inner resources? He has given every believer his Spirit (2 Cor 1:22) to live and minister in and through you (Acts 1:8), in the same way the Holy Spirit lived and ministered to people through Jesus.

Just stop and think about how significant this is about Jesus and what it means for you and your feeling of inadequacy!

Luke says in his gospel that at his baptism the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus (3:22). He goes on to say that after his baptism “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness” (4:1). Then later Luke notes that Jesus “returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee” (4:14)

Isn’t it interesting that the Apostle Peter also recognised the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life and ministry. Peter said, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Acts 10:38

Jesus spoke about himself and said,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son of man can do nothing of his own accord…” John 5:19

“I can do nothing on my own.” John 5:30

“My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.” John 7:16

Never less than God, but choosing to live his life on earth as a man (Heb 2:17), Jesus taught and ministered to people, not in his own strength and intelligence, but by the anointing, and in the power, and by the leading of the Holy Spirit?

Today, as a Christian, you have received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to live and witness to others through you in the same way He lived and witnessed to people through Jesus.

So, stop focusing on your inadequacy, accept your own inadequacy and start trusting Jesus to reach people through you by his Spirit’s power.

Do you want to learn how to live more effectively as a witness? Head to myLife2Life.com and check out AFCI’s Life2Life resource.

Are you a church leader wanting to better equip your people to live as witnesses? Head to EvangelismSHIFT.afci.com.au and check out AFCI’s EvangelismSHIFT resource for churches.