God’s Help When We Fail In Our Witness
Can They Tell I’m A Christian?
Do you ever wonder if others can tell that you’re a Christian? Is there a distinguishing characteristic in you that the unsaved person can detect? Do they see demonstrable Fruits of the Spirit in you? These are just a few questions we ask ourselves whenever we reflect on the way we witness to others. The first fundamental question is to ask yourself, “Do I represent Christ to the world?” Your answer will be either yes or no. However, let’s not forget those who claim to be Christian yet choose to remain silent. Their answer will likely be, “sometimes.” As the culture around us continues to devolve and becomes more threatening to people who openly profess their faith, we will be tested in our resolve to hold to it. When I first believed and surrendered my life to Jesus, I went on a personal and life-changing journey with Jesus. There were years of testing, waiting, and not knowing what was up ahead. The discipline of the Lord is a blessing, although when we’re in the midst of His discipline, we don’t always see it that way. As we progress in the sanctification process, we learn to understand what Jesus meant when He said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). So, the ultimate outcome, bearing fruit, requires that we maintain a close relationship with Jesus. Bearing fruit refers to the visible, outward evidence of a believer’s internal spiritual transformation, characterized by Christlike behavior that encourages others to be open to receiving the Good News about Jesus. How do you attain “Christlike” behavior? I purposefully seek time each day to sit in silence with the Lord, speak to Him in prayer, and read His Word – the Bible. These three simple “disciplines” help me to abide with Jesus so that I can hear from Him. I learned over time that by keeping this part of my daily devotions, I won’t be shaken by sudden “storms” that crop up unexpectedly. My desire is to be more like Jesus, so when others see me, they see Him and are blessed. Before He left this world, Jesus said to His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35, ESV). The disciplines reveal weaknesses in us that prevent us from witnessing to others. We will only be effective when we honestly confess our weaknesses to God and ask for His strength, which comes from abiding with the vine. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. All we need to do is ask.
God’s Help When We Fail In Our Witness - written by Daphne Collins
the Lighthouse Keeper for
Carry the Light Ministries
Scriptures Used in this Module
The Great Commission
Revelation 7:9 (NIV)
Acts 1:8 (NLT)
Mark 16:15-16 (NLT)
John 20:21-24 (ESV)
Luke 24:46-47 (NKJV)
Acts 2:38-39 (BSB)
Fear of Being Bold
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Matthew 10:19-20 (NLT)
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
Joshua 1:9 (ESV)
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
Hebrews 13:6 (BSB)
Procrastination
Luke 9:59-62 (ESV)
James 4:13-15 (ESV)
Proverbs 13:4 (BSB)
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 11:4 (NLT)
Proverbs 20:4 (ESV)
Bible Knowledge Insecurity
Hosea 4:6 (ESV)
Proverbs 2:2-6 (BSB)
Proverbs 1:5-7 (ESV)
1 Corinthians 12:8 (ESV)
Proverbs 2:10-11 (ESV)
Psalm 111:10 (ESV)
Am I Being Judgmental?
Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV)
Romans 2:1-3 (NLT)
James 4:11-12 (BSB)
1 Corinthians 4:5 (NLT)
Romans 12:16-18 (ESV)
Galatians 6:1-5 (NIV)
Why Do I Still Doubt?
Hebrews 11:6 (NLT)
James 1:6-8 (NIV)
Isaiah 61:1-3 (ESV)
Psalm 1:1-6 (ESV)
John 20:29 (ESV)
Psalm 10:1-5 (ESV)
Bitterness & Unforgiveness
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)
Isaiah 43:25-26 (NKJV)
Acts 3:19 (NASB)
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NLT)
Micah 7:18-19 (BSB)
Psalm 103:11-12 (BSB)
Church Hurt & Rejection
Psalm 27:9-11 (NLT)
John 15:18-19 (NLT)
Matthew 10:14 (ESV)
Revelation 2:2-3 (ESV)
Matthew 11:28-29 (ESV)
Colossians 3:12-15 (NIV)
Confident Witness
