The Biggest Hinderance in Evangelism

Christ meant for us to take the whole Gospel to the whole world with our whole hearts (Mark 16:15). There is no greater command given to a more special people than that with a larger group of samples than the directive from the Lord before His ascension. However, those who are tasked with such a mission often replace this drive with a specific hinderance—perhaps the biggest one in evangelism—fear.

Franklin D. Roosevelt said it plainly, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Fear defeats more people than any other one thing in the world.” Fear is debilitating. It keeps the young from dreaming and the old from comfort. It has driven men into solitary (1 Kings 19), pilgrimage (Numbers 13-14), and sin (Genesis 20:11-13). Fear can take the biggest of men and turn them into the smallest of souls. Who would have thought that Peter the bold apostle would become Peter the weak servant (Matthew 26:69-75)? What about all the apostles who agreed that they would die with Christ (Mark 14:31) only to forsake him the same day (Mark 14:50). Consistently, the biggest fear of man is their fellow man, but this is a harmful pursuit (Proverbs 29:25). God did not give us this spirit (2 Timothy 1:7). He calls us to be ready and courageous (1 Corinthians 16:13). He wants us to cultivate courage[1] (2 Peter 1:5).  

Before Jesus sent the disciples off to preach, He left them with some reminders (Matthew 10:5-42). The Limited Commission was only to the Jews (Matthew 10:5) and this responsibility was not light. Jesus warned His disciples not to forego their evangelistic efforts because of fear. Fear occurs four times in verses 26-33 and every time, with one exception, they are followed by a negative. From Jesus’ pre-charge to the disciples, remember these four things when you become fearful in evangelism:

Remember Your Fight (Matthew 10:26-27).

One experiment was done to test attention and it was called the Invisible Gorilla experiment. Subjects were asked to watch a video of people passing a basketball to one another. They were tasked with counting the number of passes. As they were performing this task, a man in a gorilla costume appeared. Amazingly, over 50% did not see the costume![2] Why? Because they were so focused on their required task. The more we remember our task, the less distracted we will be.  

Anticipating futural goals promotes present hard labor. Men who forget their orders will never do them. Jesus reminded His apostles that the time had come to declare the Gospel. It had been hidden for generations (Romans 16:25-26), but the hourglass was full. The word “revealed” means to take off the cover and “known” is a progression of knowledge. Through their preaching the lid of the container would be taken off and Israel would begin to know the truth.

Fear is the spark of intrusive thoughts, the wind of exaggerated beliefs, and the open door to wrong conclusions. We only hurt people by fear; we don’t help them. We may think:

• They will not listen to me.

• I will forget what I am supposed to say.

• They will look at me strangely.

• I don’t want to be rejected.  

Its ok if they don’t listen; turn to those who are more willing to hear (Acts 13:46). If you forget, turn to your partner or say, “let me get back with you on that.” Don’t be mindful of what others are thinking; you do not know anyway. Rejection will come, but if Jesus was rejected (Isaiah 53:3; Luke 9:33), then we should expect such as well (John 15:20). Our fight is not to be with our fear, but with sin. We cannot fight sin if the message is contained.

This message could not stay contained. It needed to be declared. Jesus wanted this message spoken and preached. Jesus’ phrase “hear in the ear” could be a reference to doctors of the law who whispered a message to an interpreter who broadly proclaimed it to the audience.[3] The apostles then had no room to fear if the message must be declared. Jesus commands the same of us (Mark 16:15). The message must be declared else people will not hear. If people will not hear they cannot believe. If they cannot believe they cannot call (Romans 10:14). Fears fade in the background when you are in the middle of the fight. If you are paying attention to the fight you cannot fear!   

Remember Your Focus (Matthew 10:28). 

The first century Christians had many dangers to overcome

• Crucifixion.

• Beatings.

• Prison.

• Boiling.

• Arena mauling.

Paul called his affliction light (2 Corinthians 4:17). Peter forbid his audience from counting persecution as strange (1 Peter 4:12-13). If we are forbidden from fearing man, is there someone else to fear?

The Psalmist wrote “My flesh trembleth for fear of thee: and I am afraid of thy judgements” (Psalm 119:120). Charles Spurgeon said, “There is no cure for the fear of man like the fear of God.” If we fear to do a command of Jesus, we should then fear the repercussions of disobedience. Fearing evangelism creates a lack of evangelism. Lack of evangelism creates lack of acceptance by God. Lack of acceptance by God leads to a life in hell for eternity. Mortal men should not be the motivation of our fear—immortal God should be. His power should encourage us to obey Him (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:11). Men can kill (denotes limit[4]) the body, but God can destroy (denotes eternal punishment[5]) both the soul and body. Upon being urged to give in, one martyr said, “Pardon me, Emperor, thou threatenest me only with a prison; but God threatens me with hell.” Since souls return to God (Ecclesiastes 12:7), all souls are in the hand of God after death. Fear then should be placed in God not man. Bodily punishment pales in comparison to eternal punishment. Hell is hotter than any fire at the stake, more painful than any piercing sword, and much longer than a mere boiling. Failing to do the will of God through evangelism because of fear will lead to spending eternity in Hell—not a good trade. Keep Romans 8:18 close by when evangelizing: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” 

Remember Your Friend (Matthew 10:29-31).

The apostles were fearful of what their fellow man would do to them. Jesus assured them that God was with them. Jesus used two illustrations to show that they had a friend in their Father. First, He used a lesser to greater argument.[6] If the small sparrow was not sold or killed without God’s providential care how much more those who are made in His image? Second, He used a personal argument. God knows everything there is to know about every man. Why then should man be afraid? Their value highly exceeded not just one or two sparrows but “many.” Not only was their Father with them, but their Friend kept them in mind too (Luke 12:4).  

The same God that was with the apostles is with us today as we perform the same work. God promises to sit with us at the table when are showing someone how to obey the Gospel. He promises not to desert us when one slams the door in our face during a door knocking (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus assures us that we will always have His comforting hand (Matthew 28:20). He will be with us if we travel to distant lands (cf. Exodus 3:12) or when we teach close to home. What are some things to do to help us remember that God is with us?

• Read passages about God’s presence before a study.

• Pray to God for boldness (Acts 4:29), knowing that He will answer your prayers (Acts 4:31).

God doesn’t want us to feel alone as we take His Gospel to the world; He wants us to remember our Friend. He also encourages cooperative evangelism. Take a friend with you. Jesus sent His apostles by twos (Luke 10:1). Go in a group so that you can lean upon others when you need aid. Remembering that God is with us will help us overcome the fear of evangelism.   

Remember Your Fortune (Matthew 10:32-33).

There will come a time when we will answer for our stance, whether we stood up for Jesus or whether we cowered in fear. Pliny, an early historian recorded the cowardice of some Christians when he wrote to the Roman emperor saying that some, “said that they were Christians and then denied it; declaring that they had been but were so no longer, some having recanted three years or more before and one or two as long as twenty years. They worshipped your image (Caesar’s-NO) and the statues of the gods and cursed Christ.”[7] Confess means to agree to or acknowledge. Heaven is based on whether we are willing to confess Jesus as our Lord and acknowledge that we are His faithful followers. It also includes being willing to tell others about who He is.  

God’s faithful always value death for over disassociation to God. Daniel’s friends said that God was able to deliver them out of the fiery furnace but if not, they would never worship the idolatrous image (Daniel 3:17-18). Paul said, “Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:23-24). Not long after, he would utter something similar “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Many were willing to be tortured, mocked, scourged, imprisoned, stoned, sawn asunder, slain, and afflicted for their God (Hebrews 11:35-38) for they “desire a better country” (Hebrews 11:16; cf. 10:34). We must endure and overcome the fear of evangelism so that Christ can give us a good recommendation before our Father. Heaven will be filled with precious saints that will rest from their hard labors (Revelation 14:13).  

Instead of fearing let us go on our way rejoicing (Matthew 5:10-12; Acts 23:11). Hell is made for the fearful (Revelation 21:8), but Heaven for the fearless (Revelation 2:10).

Endnotes

[1]Strong says the Greek word ἀρέτη translated “virtue” means “properly manliness (valor), that is, excellence (intrinsic or attributed): - praise, virtue.”

[2]https:// exploringyourmind.com/the-invisible-gorilla-a-classic-experiment-in-perception/

[3]Adam Clarke.

[4]Lost source.

[5]Lost source. 

[6]Tom Wacaster, The Majesty of Jesus, Sain Publications, 2018, p. 497.

[7]F.W. Mattox, The Eternal Kingdom, Gospel Light Publishing Company, 1961, p. 34.