The Computer Is Not Enough

We Must Be Willing To Interact With People

By Curt Wildy

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets
(Luke 6:26).

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
(2 Timothy 3:12).

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
(Galatians 5:11).

And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father’s, and of the holy angels
(Luke 9:23-26).

We are never to give that which is holy unto the dogs or cast our pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6); yet, we are exhorted to be brave like the Apostles Peter and Paul, and like Stephen, who withstood the venom of a multitude to speak to them the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to abstain from trying to force the Gospel upon those who clearly do not want to hear (lest they trample that which is holy under their feet, and turn again and rend you); but if anyone is providentially made willing to hear, then we ought to speak to them of God’s testimonies, speaking even unto kings if God so wills, without being ashamed (Psalm 119:46). A God-given love for Christ and His word will strengthen us in due time, making us willing to stand up more publicly and boldly for the Truth.

The Bible points us to the faith of Moses, who, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. If we esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt (which typifies all that this sin-cursed world has to offer), then why do we halt and hesitate? We ought to sanctify the Lord God in our hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us, with meekness and fear (1 Peter 3:15 ). What is in view here is meekness and fear before God, not cowardice, false humility, and timidity before men. Before the unsaved, we are to strive to be all the more bold to speak the word without fear (Philippians 1:14), even unto much contention if need be (1 Thessalonians 2:2).

If there is salvation in no other Name under Heaven, if there is hope in no one else save the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12), then it behooves us to witness to all who will hear, warning them of the wrath to come and encouraging them to look unto the Holy One of Israel who has already made full propitiation for His people. If someone argues that we ought not to discuss such matters in polite company, because it shows a lack of couth, sensitivity, political correctness, education, what have you; simply declare as did Peter and the other apostles (Acts 5:29) “We ought to obey God rather than men.”

We must be willing to give an answer whenever and wherever God gives us an opportunity. But how are we to answer and how are we to witness? What is the primary way in which we are to declare the Truth to others? Whatever the correct response is, it must be in keeping with the way in which believers throughout time have witnessed. The answer is simple, we must TALK to people. Face-to-face, in person, witnessing has always been the primary method of sharing the Gospel. We must strive to make our witness public, transparent, and personal.

Anyone can witness behind a computer. Computer witnessing, including my site, is so much safer and more comfortable than witnessing in the real world. Being in our own homes, behind our computer screens, protects us from the vile looks, sarcastic smirks, and other expressions of contempt that a faithful testimony can engender. Computer witnessing has its place, and it is a very useful means of reaching the distant masses; however, it must never serve as a substitute for interpersonal communication. We must be willing to look a person in their eyes, speak the truth, and suffer as a result if God has ordained that they revile or persecute us.

Blog bandits, web warriors, forum fighters… many of them may be content with Internet interfacing alone, but trusting in such activity (or better yet, hiding behind it) is a snare. Going to church as a Christian, sitting at home as one, but never sharing with others in the “real world” doesn’t make you more trusting of the Lord’s power to save His own; it simply makes you more disobedient to the word and example of Christ. Christians of old, without the luxury of tracts, audio files, and computers, were spat upon, beaten, and killed for speaking the truth directly to men. Many lost jobs, were prohibited from getting jobs, lost family and friends, lost homes and possessions, and otherwise suffered for the Truth’s sake all while in the presence of those who hated and reviled them. Yet we somehow think that being called names over the Internet as a result of us typing the truth, is somehow true Christian reproach-bearing and persecution. Unless you are home-bound, or otherwise incapable of directly engaging the outside world, the “computer-witnessing” mindset alone can lead to complacency and delusions of accomplishment and self-importance.

The same warning applies to distributing tracts and related items; they are great tools when used in conjunction with direct witnessing. However, if we are giving out tracts, CDs, and DVDs, as a means of avoiding having to speak directly with people (reasoning with them and giving them a direct answer to their questions and objections), then we are taking the easy way out, not the narrow way. Giving someone a tract or DVD is much less intimidating than taking the time to sit down and talk with them. Sometimes there isn’t enough time to talk or sometimes you want to give someone a quick starter point with the intent to discuss further afterwards; in such cases, it is often wise to give someone Christian material. However, if you have an opportunity to witness in person, and you choose instead to give them a tract because you are too timid or embarrassed to talk it out (or don’t want others nearby to “look at you funny”), you have a problem. You are hiding behind such activity simply to avoid persecution and this is sin. It all boils down to intent and motivation.

Some argue that our best witness is simply being different from others. If we dress differently, sound differently, pray differently, worship differently, eat and drink differently, why that is often a better witness than opening up the word of God and discussing the precepts therein. This is clearly wrong. If the bulk of my witness is dependant upon the clothes that I wear, or what food or drink I take in, or whether I abstain from the recreational activities looked down upon by my church or denomination, then I miss the boat. We should strive to walk godly, abstaining from both evil and the appearance of evil; however, there is no Gospel witness in mere morality alone. Anyone can look holy through outward manifestations of personal piousness, standoffishness, and abstinence from some perceived (but not necessarily biblically specified) societal ill; but such outward show does not equate to Gospel witnessing or preaching.  No one is going to say “look at his suit, look at her waist-length hair, look at their lack of television ownership; why, she doesn’t even wear pants; they must be Christian, I can see the righteousness of God as revealed in the Gospel, in them, just by looking at such things.” We need to rely less on show and more on putting ourselves out there and actively engaging people.

Others argue that they are not pastors, evangelists, or preachers and thus, they aren’t called to actively witness to people (at least not directly). What they fail to realise is that any one of God’s regenerate children can faithfully proclaim or publish the truth; this role is not limited to “ordained ministers.” We are all called to be faithful witnesses. If we can speak accurately before men, they we can preach (proclaim, publish, herald) the Truth as God enables. We read in,

Romans 10:14 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher [2784 κηρυσσω kerusso (kay-roos’-so); a herald, one who publishes or proclaims openly)]? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

When God ordains an opportunity to witness to someone, and works in us to do so faithfully, He has effectively sent us as a preacher, publisher, heralder of the Truth. We are to be watchful and keep an eye out for such opportunities. Yes, they are all of God and He will send a witness to whomever He decrees a witness to be sent; nonetheless, “The harvest truly [is] plenteous, but the labourers [are] few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest (Matthew 9:37-38).” I pray that God gives us a greater sense of urgency to warn men and women of their sin, their desperate condition before God resulting from their sin, and of the only possible remedy for their sin — the Lord Jesus Christ. May we be the labourers that He sends forth, may He make us fishers of men.

In my next post in this series, I want to discuss the reality of those who have a real desire to witness, but who remain silent for a season (often a very long season when they are new to the faith), not knowing what to say, how to say it, or when to say it. There is a big difference between someone who keeps quiet because they are immature Christians (new to the faith, or novices despite their years in the faith) and false professors who love the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:43 and John 5:44). I believe that there are ways to overcome our natural fear and timidness when the desire to stand faithful is there (it is all of God, but He does work through means). I hope to share what I have learned, things that have helped me. As stated, I have a very long way to go myself… but maybe we can all go there together as we encourage and build up one another.

To Christ be the glory.