Disciplines of a Godly Woman - Witness

For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard. - Acts 4:20

To witness = to evangelize = to share the gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ alone. When compiling a list of disciplines for Christian women to engage in, this one needs to be at the top. It is not optional. God does not say, “Will you please let other people know about me?” No, here are his words for us:

• “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,” Matthew 28:19
• “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15
• “repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations,” Luke 24:47
• “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21

Testifying to what Jesus has done is a direct command upon our lives. Yet it isn’t always easy. Here are a few reminders when it comes to witnessing and some encouragement too:

First, remember that you must use the Word of God (great reason to memorize scripture). His words are the way that God has ordained that his salvation will take root in hearts. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17.

You may not feel totally equipped - get over it. Even the blind man Jesus healed in John 9, testified to what God had done for him without first receiving years of instruction on how to go about it. “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” v. 9. If God has redeemed you, there is at least “one thing” you know too. That God saved you from the sinful wretch that you were and made you his own. You are able to testify that his word is true and that he is great. However, do not allow the feeling of being unequipped to linger, get yourself equipped!

Secondly, realize that God doesn’t call everyone to stand on the street corner to preach the Good News (though he does some!). God has made each of us unique. He wants you to use the gifts and skills he has given you to reach others. Your ways and methods of gospel proclamation will be compatible with your personality. For example, those who have the gift of hospitality should use that gift to love on others with the purpose of it providing opportunities to share Christ.

Thirdly, realize that successful witnessing does not equate to souls being won to Christ. That is God’s job. Successful witnessing is the act of sharingthe message of salvation in Jesus. When you share the gospel in a clear and complete way (using God’s Word), you have evangelized.

Fourth, most people hear the gospel many times before actually coming to Christ. This is a good reason to share continually and repetitively. Even to those you have shared with before (like family members). Do not become discouraged, God will call those who are his when he chooses. Author Donald Whitney likens sharing the gospel to handing out lightning rods in a thunderstorm. You don’t know when or who the lightning will strike, but you do know that it will strike. You don’t know who God has chosen or when his gospel power will strike, but he promises it will strike.

Finally, witnessing must be an intentional discipline for us. We can live most of our lives hanging out with our own families and other Christians. We need tomake gospel opportunities, not just wait around for them. There are legions of people dead in their sins in this world. We have to go to them, they do not know to come to us. They do not know that we have the cure to death and damnation within us...but we do. We know that Jesus is the answer, we know they need to repent and believe in the Savior. We must go to them! We must tell them that their only hope is Jesus Christ.