Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the men, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They left the town and made their way to Him … 39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 Therefore, when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of what He said. 42 And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.” (Jn 4:28-42)
As Christian’s, we are all familiar with evangelism and ‘witnessing’ for Jesus. There is training that you can take to ‘witness’ to people, there are booklets you can hand out, you can develop a 3-minute personal testimony … etc.
How did the woman at the well ‘witness’ to others?
What was the result?
The woman at the well simply went back to her people and told them that Jesus was the Messiah and what He had done, or said, to her. That’s it. She didn’t have a rehearsed speech or special training. She just told them what she knew about Jesus and her experience with Him. The result was that many people believed in Jesus based on her testimony without even going to see the Lord; others went to Jesus to check Him out themselves for a couple of days and then believed; but some didn’t believe at all. That is how witnessing works.
So, don’t over think witnessing the Gospel to others. Simply tell others what you know about Jesus, what He’s taught you, how He’s changed you, what He means to you … tell them about your experiences with Him like the woman at the well did. If you speak from your heart about Him you will be passionate and real and people will be more interested than if you use something memorized. Tell them what you know and leave the results up to God.
Some people you testify to may believe in Jesus right away, others may want to check Him out further before believing … and others may never believe:
Even though He had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him. 38 But this was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet, who said: Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the arm of the Lord been revealed to? 39 This is why they were unable to believe, because Isaiah also said: 40 He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they would not see with their eyes or understand with their hearts, and be converted, and I would heal them. Isaiah said these things because he saw His glory and spoke about Him. Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers … (Jn 12:37-42)
Your job is to tell others what you’ve seen Jesus do … in your life and the life of others. Once you do that, you need to leave the results up to God. There is nothing you can do to ‘convince’ a person into believing. You cannot build such a great argument that a person will be saved.
Salvation is a work of God … your job is simply to tell others what you know about Jesus and have seen Him do.
When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the
Spirit, 5 so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power. (1 Cor 2:1-5)
Be ready and alert to share what you’ve seen Jesus do:
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect (1 Pet 3:15 – ESV)
Examine yourself
Do you ever tell others about the great things Jesus has done in you and your life?
Do you tell Christian’s to encourage them?
Do you tell non-believers?
If you don’t tell others, why don’t you?
Are you embarrassed about your faith in Jesus? Are you ashamed of Jesus and your faith?
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and that of the Father and the holy angels. (Lk 9:26)
Are you afraid to tell others because of what they might think or say about you? Do you love the praise and acceptance of people more than that of God?
Nevertheless, many did believe in Him even among the rulers, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, so they would not be banned from the synagogue. 43 For they loved praise from men more than praise from God. (Jn 12:42-43)
Tell us what Jesus has done in your life in the comment box. Be a witness for Him. It will encourage us all and bring praise, glory, and honor to Jesus.
