Several Years ago I was called to give a deposition as a witness in a law suit that a business had filed against another. I had been party to a transaction that took place between the two companies, so they wanted me to answer questions about what I remembered had taken place. I had to sit in a room with attorneys as they asked me pointed questions and I answered, to the best of my recollection, details of the transaction between the two parties.
Several years ago I was called to give a deposition as a witness in a law suit that a business had filed against another. I had been party to a transaction that took place between the two companies, so they wanted me to answer questions about what I remembered had taken place. I had to sit in a room with attorneys as they asked me pointed questions and I answered, to the best of my recollection, details of the transaction between the two parties.
It got me to thinking about what a “witness” really is. We use that term in Christianity so often, and I’ve found that many people are afraid to witness to others about Christ. They’re afraid they will say the wrong thing, sound overbearing, turn people off or away. But Jesus wants us to be a witness for Him.
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “witness” in two ways. As a noun, the definition is: an attestation of a fact or event (testimony); one that gives evidence; one who has personal knowledge of something; public affirmation of usually religious faith or conviction. As a verb, the definition is: to testify to; to act as a legal witness of; to furnish proof of; to have a personal or direct cognizance of; to take note of; to bear witness to one’s religious convictions.
So many times we do what we, in our own reasoning, is the “right thing” with regard to being a Christian witness. We say “just live the life” and “just walk the walk”, and people will see Christ in us without even having to say anything. While this may be true, the fact remains that Jesus said if we’re ashamed of Him before men, He’d be ashamed of us before the Father. Romans 8 tells us that in order to be saved we must believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. So actually talking about the person of Jesus Christ is vital not only to our own Christian walk, but as that personal affirmation to others of exactly who He is that we follow.
Still, sometimes we feel like skirting around the subject of naming who it is we actually serve, perhaps because we are avoiding any kind of resistance. Of course, Christians are followers of Jesus Christ. Our journey includes continuously striving to better follow His ways, His teachings and His Word in every area of our lives. Thankfully, Jesus has not only the answers to the issues of this life but also security in knowing our eternity is secure. We just need to realize that people really are actually searching for that same security for themselves.
In the deposition I was called to give specific, detailed answers to the questions that were asked. In the same way, when witnessing to others about our awesome God, we need to make sure they know the important detail of who it is we follow: Jesus.
People need to know that we follow Him and we’re not just “good people” on our own. If we leave Jesus out, then it’s no different than what the world thinks. Atheists believe being a “good person” is enough and that there is no God. The New Age movement would lead us to believe that being a “good person” will get us to heaven. But if we are true Bible believing Christians, it’s vital to include the name of Jesus in our conversations with others that include encouraging them in life situations where Biblical truths are the answers to their problems. This is what “confessing with our mouth” means – telling others that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and that we believe in Him.
It doesn’t require overdoing it or using His Name or teachings inappropriately – if we know the Word we will use discernment and wisdom and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in lieu of our own emotions and zeal. Satan loves to plant seeds of doubt in our minds though. He’ll say “Don’t say too much or you will push them away!” He certainly does not want us to use the name of Jesus, so he tries to make us believe it will do more harm than good. But remember, Jesus is the Name above all Names. At the Name of Jesus the devil has to flee, demons tremble and the angels stand at attention. If we let the enemy plant those thoughts in us, and we embrace them as our own human reasoning, we are playing into his evil hands, and perhaps quenching the Holy Spirit and His ability to reach the person we are witnessing to.
Do you know what makes a good sales person? It’s the ability to overcome the fear of rejection -- because they won't sell to every customer. Sometimes we just can’t make ourselves talk about Jesus to others because we don’t want to feel rejection if they don’t embrace it. Well, remember…He’s only calling us to do our part – tell them about Him and be a witness to what He’s done for us. It’s not our responsibility if they do not – or even if they do – accept Christ. We tell them about Him, and the rest is in God’s hands. He is pleased with us just for doing our part.
Our personalities are so different. I’m so glad because I wouldn’t be able to stand a bunch of “me” personalities around 24/7. But He can use us in our own individual personalities and abilities. He is the one who made me and you and he knows our own individual talents and abilities. He knows our personality and he likes it. After all, he knit us in our mothers’ wombs! It’s our attitudes that He’s often displeased with. But that’s easy enough to change if we want to.
Perhaps we use the excuse of not naming the One we follow (Jesus) because once we say His name, we have become accountable to others for our own actions, habits, attitudes, our language, the way we handle rude, mean people, whether or not we participate in gossip. It’s like putting a Christian symbol on our car. When we do, we make ourselves accountable to other drivers. Even the ones that pull out in front of us or honk at us because we accidentally pulled out in front of them! Or maybe it’s like wearing a cross around or neck, on our shirts or on our bodies with tattoos. No matter how fashionable these things may be, the Cross is a statement that we are followers of Jesus Christ – the One who died on that cross for us -- the One who paid the price for our sins, shed his blood to cover over our faults, and provided the only way to live eternally in Heaven with the Father. For rooms in our homes or offices where we hang the beautifully decorated crosses, it’s important to remember the purpose of that cross was to save us. The real cross was not nearly so beautiful. I like to think that each time I look at decorative crosses hanging walls somewhere, I am reminded that the dwelling where it is hanging is God’s property.
Still, sporting Christian symbols, wearing crosses and hanging them on walls does not compare to personal witnessing – telling others about your relationship with Christ. There’s no such thing as saying the wrong thing if we are just telling others about what Jesus has done for us by saving us, directing us, providing for us, giving us comfort and unconditional love. One of the definitions of witness is “one who has personal knowledge of.” This is so easy to do if we have personal knowledge of Jesus Christ ourselves. We get to know Him through, talking to Him, listening to Him, and reading His Word. And we witness by simply telling others what he has done in our lives. It’s amazing, but even the smallest things we share with others are so effective when Jesus is in it.
So let’s remember when we feel the Holy Spirit prompting us to be a witness – to encourage someone, show compassion to someone, pray for someone, help someone, or serve someone, that people really are asking pointed questions and want direct answers, so give the ultimate detail -- say the Name of Jesus. Give them evidence by providing proof about how Christ changed our own lives. And if we are feeling timid or insecure, just remember that the Holy Spirit is the best at dropping into your spirit the right thing to say at just the right time.
Let’s start now by trying to remember to tell others that we’re not just a “good” people on our own, but that we are “good” because of Jesus Christ alone, and that by choice we follow Him.
Linda King Wilson
Originally Written 09/14/2013
Updated 01/04/2020
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