“But my Arguments were so Compelling!”

Posted on June 22, 2018 by America's Keswick in Victory Call

Last weekend, I decided to go to the beach. I treated myself to a yummy Playa Bowl,  laid out in the sun, and just began to pray. I prayed for the strangers around me, I prayed for my friends, I prayed for personal spiritual growth, and I also prayed that the Lord would show me one person that I could share His truth with that day. I asked Him to make it really obvious who that one person should be.

A few minutes later, I got up to walk the boardwalk when I saw a sign that said “When will the suffering end?” I stared at it for a moment and the lady who was standing next to the sign waved at me. I walked over and saw a stand full of Watchtower Brochures – this woman was a Jehovah’s Witness. I kindly introduced myself to this very sweet woman and after assuring her that I was very secure in my faith, we had a great conversation about our differing beliefs. She told me that she grew up believing what I do, but she converted when she became an adult. We talked about our interpretations of different Bible verses, and I was so saddened to learn that they are taught an “edited bible” – the verses were twisted to change the context. We had an extremely civil and friendly conversation, but my heart ached for this precious woman.

Her daughter came by shortly after and they offered me some of their literature which I accepted. Discouraged, I walked back to my beach spot and began reading what they gave me, noting specific pages that said things like we shouldn’t worship Jesus, that He’s not really God, etc. I found verses that countered their theories and after studying, I got back up and walked to find the woman again. I wanted to share with her what I disagreed with and why, but when I went back both they and their stand of literature was gone.

I sat on the bench and prayed – “Lord I feel like that was a loss. No matter what I said, she said something to counteract it, she gave false scripture. I feel like I failed, I wasn’t even able to follow up with her.”

Then I felt convicted because I realized that in a way, I had put my trust in self instead of in God. In my mind, I just kept thinking that if I could come up with the most compelling argument (without being argumentative), I could convince her. But the Lord just laid on my heart that it’s not tactful methods that saves, it’s God who chooses us and saves us (John 6:44, Ephesians 1:4).

I apologized to God for my prideful thinking and prayed that something He spoke through me would stay in her mind, that she would meditate on it, and that He would get the glory.

Sisters – if you ever feel discouraged in your evangelistic pursuits, just remember that God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11), which is something God really spoke to me. ALL Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timonthy 3:16).Sharing your faith will never result in a “loss” because it is exactly what Jesus – the KING OF KINGS – commanded us to do. We must be sure not to put trust in ourselves or our methods, but in God alone. Sometimes we plant the seed, sometimes we water it, but GOD is the One who makes it grow (1 Corinthians 3:16). Amen?

Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!