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Passive involvement in a discussion can lead to getting in the way of our own objective. One must be aware that not everyone has taken the time to read a book on effective communication. Therefore, a person in the conversation may be someone who goes on for some time and gets lost or sidetracked with other subjects not relevant to the discussion. If that occurs, respectfully stop them, and briefly explain that it would be best to stay on topic, and offer that person the point that they were making.

Overzealousness also proves another way that we get in the way of our own objective. A trap that one can fall into with a very active mind is anticipating what the speaker will say. It can be rude to interrupt them by finishing their thoughts, or worse, to assume what they will say, and then offer feedback on one’s assumption. Many times that leads to the response, “I was not going to say that at all, what I was going to say was ….” Each time one interrupts the other speaker unnecessarily, that person withdraws further and further from being an active participant in the conversation. Rather, let the person finish their thoughts, and hold off for a few seconds to see if they will start again before you respond.

The person, who may seem like a Bible critic, can make a believer defensive, which can unnerve most evangelists. If someone approaches a believer with an alleged error or contradiction, what should we do? We should be frank and honest. If we do not have an answer, we should admit such. If the text in question gives the appearance of difficulty, we should admit this as well. If a believer remains unsure how to answer, simply say that you will look into it and get back to them, returning with a reasonable answer.

However, do not express disbelief and doubt to people who have legitimate concerns about the Bible, because they will be moved even further in their disbelief. Moreover, it will put them on offense and place the believer on the defense. With great confidence, tell them there is an answer. The Bible has withstood the test of 2,000 years of persecution and is the most printed book of all time, currently being translated into 2,287 languages. If these critical questions threatened its credibility, the Bible would not be the book that it is.

The evangelist must keep Paul’s words “knowledge puffs up” at the fore of his thinking because as one grows in knowledge and understanding, it is too easy to fall prey to a haughty spirit. After the evangelist has spent hundreds of hours listening to unbelievers talk about the Bible, one will hear the same thing many times. This is like watching the same uninteresting movie dozens of times. This can cause the evangelist to start speaking in a disdainful tone to the person who is speaking. It may be blatant, or even subtle, but the unbeliever will notice it, and while they may respectfully finish the conversation with the evangelist, they will not care what the believer said before the end of the conversation.

Proverbs 16:18 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction
and a haughty spirit before a fall.

In the end, God has given each of us the right to make our own decisions. The evangelist that respects another person’s right to their views may win the day in the end. If a Bible critic goes through a conversation with both speakers having an equal time, they will feel that they were respected. They will be open to speaking to another Christian at another time. We must keep in mind that we are planting seeds of truth. Life experiences have a way of altering heart conditions. One unbeliever may have something happen in their life, which makes them more receptive to Bible truths, and the next Christian they engage will have success in watering those seeds.

The Danger of Personal Interference in Evangelism

In the journey of apologetic evangelism, one of the significant risks is allowing one’s own personality, biases, or desires to obstruct the clear presentation of the gospel. Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” This passage highlights the importance of self-discipline and vigilance to ensure that personal conduct does not hinder the gospel message.

Maintaining Humility and Integrity

Humility is foundational in ensuring that we do not become a stumbling block in our evangelistic efforts. The attitude with which we approach others can greatly influence their receptiveness to the message we share. Philippians 2:3 advises, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” By maintaining humility, we mirror the character of Christ, who, despite being in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7).

Avoiding Intellectual Pride

While apologetics involves defending the faith with reason and evidence, it is crucial to avoid the pitfall of intellectual pride. Knowledge can puff up (1 Corinthians 8:1), leading to arrogance that can alienate those we are trying to reach. The goal of apologetic evangelism is not to win arguments but to win souls. Therefore, our communication should be “always full of grace, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6), designed to engage gently and respectfully with those who may not share our views.

Keeping the Gospel at the Center

It is essential to ensure that the gospel message remains the focus of our evangelistic endeavors and not our personal accolades or achievements. Paul emphasizes this in 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” By keeping Christ at the center, we prevent ourselves from overshadowing the message of salvation, which has the power to transform lives.

Transparent and Authentic Witnessing

Transparency and authenticity in sharing our own struggles and how Christ has worked in our lives can help mitigate the risk of self-promotion. It shows that we are not claiming to be perfect but are saved by grace. As Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” This approach resonates with those who may feel that Christianity is only for the ‘righteous’ or ‘perfect’ people.

Regular Self-Examination

Regular self-examination is crucial in ensuring that we do not hinder our evangelistic efforts. As David prays in Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” This prayer invites Jehovah to reveal any attitudes or behaviors that may impede our witness and demonstrates a willingness to conform our lives to His will.

Relying on the Holy Spirit

Finally, reliance on the Holy Spirit is vital in ensuring that we do not get in the way of our own evangelistic efforts. The Spirit empowers our witness, guides our words, and opens the hearts of those we speak to. As Jesus promises in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses…” This divine empowerment ensures that our efforts are not reliant on human strength but on God’s power.

In apologetic evangelism, the focus must always remain on Jehovah and His message of salvation through Jesus Christ. By maintaining humility, focusing on the gospel, practicing self-examination, and relying on the Holy Spirit, we can effectively communicate the transformative power of the gospel without letting ourselves become a barrier.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is the CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored more than 220 books and is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).