The Silent Witness

Over the years, I’ve heard people, actually people in church, make the following comments:

“We want to raise our kids in such a way that they can sample and discover on their own what they may choose to believe.”

“I have my own private belief, but I don’t feel I have the right to push my beliefs on someone else. I respect their right to believe what they want.”

“I’m not in to preaching at people. I just try to live my life so that I’m a silent witness to those around me.”

Do these comments sound politically correct to you? How about open mindedly tolerant? But are they Christian or Biblical positions?

1. Raise your kids in either a spiritual void or smorgasbord of ideas and let them choose as adults…

This is perhaps the most dangerous idea, and least biblical, as the bible says one key purpose for man is to raise up godly children to love and serve Him. Rather than letting babies figure life out for themselves, parents are supposed to proactively, and diligently nurture, train, and teach their children the truth of God.

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

2. You shouldn’t try to change someone else’s mind about what they want to believe…

The bible has a consistent theme of God, with the help of his followers speaking the truth and reaching out to lost man to bring them to repentance and relationship with Him. Here are some exhortations for believers.

Proverbs 24:11-12 Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done?

2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

3. Is a quiet faithful walk better than an outspoken witness?

Our walk should match our talk. And clearly, good behavior, obedience to authority, and acts of charity are encouraged for the believer. But, Christians are to be ready to tell others how to find the Savior.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. 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,

Witnessing with gentleness and respect is not “preaching at people.”

Romans 10:14,15 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

By all means be on your good behavior and walk in a manner worthy of your calling. But, speak up in the marketplace of ideas. The enemy sure has his message out there. Don’t tell Jesus when you see Him that you were just trying to be a silent witness.