How can a Christian overcome the fear of witnessing?
Introduction
Witnessing for Christ can be intimidating. Sharing one’s faith opens a person up to possible rejection or ridicule. It requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Many Christians struggle with fear when considering whether to tell others about Jesus. However, God does not want believers to shy away from testifying about Him. The Bible offers much encouragement and advice to help Christians overcome apprehension and boldly speak the gospel. By relying on scriptural principles, remembering biblical examples, and trusting in God’s promises, believers can find the motivation and courage to move past fear and become powerful witnesses for Christ.
The Call to Witness
Christians are called to tell others about salvation in Jesus. Before ascending to heaven after His resurrection, Jesus commanded His followers, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). He had earlier told them, “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). Believers have a duty to share the good news about Christ with as many people as possible. This responsibility applies to all Christians in all places throughout all time.
Fear often prevents obedience in this area. Some common reasons disciples may hesitate to witness include fear of offending others, fear of damaging relationships, fear of inadequacy to explain the gospel, fear of saying the wrong thing, or fear of being rejected. However, Christians must remember that witnessing is not optional. It is a command from Jesus Himself. He expects His followers to push past discomfort and testify about Him.
Overcoming Fear through Love
The key to conquering fear in witnessing is remembering and relying on God’s love. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). God loves the whole world and wants everyone to hear about salvation through Christ (John 3:16). He loves each person and desires them to repent and receive eternal life (2 Peter 3:9). When Christians embrace God’s heart for the lost, love overtakes fear.
As believers meditate on Christ’s love shown through the cross, they receive strength to brave discomfort or rejection to share that love with others. They realize that obedience to Christ is more important than avoiding unpleasant reactions. Christians must pray for eyes to see the lost through Jesus’ perspective. As His love fills their hearts, the Spirit empowers them to go forth. God’s love compels them to speak out without regard for the results (2 Corinthians 5:14).
Overcoming Fear through Obedience
Obedience to Christ builds courage and confidence. As Christians step out in faith and witness regularly, their apprehension diminishes. Jesus assured His followers that when they are brought before authorities, “do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour” (Matthew 10:19). The Holy Spirit gives His disciples the right words when they open their mouths to testify for Him.
In the Book of Acts, Peter and other apostles were arrested and beaten for preaching about Jesus. After being released, they prayed for continued boldness to speak God’s word in the face of opposition (Acts 4:29). God answered their prayer, filling them with the Holy Spirit and empowering them to keep sharing the gospel with courage (Acts 4:31). When believers obey despite fear, God grants them His Spirit to testify with confidence.
Regularly sharing one’s faith, whether through spoken conversations or good works, builds godly courage. At first, speaking up may cause fear or discomfort. However, over time anxiety diminishes and obedience becomes easier. Christians must not let fear make them start avoiding witness opportunities. As they exercise their faith and continue stepping out to testify for Jesus, boldness increases. Their trust in God’s empowering grows.
Overcoming Fear of Rejection
For many, fear of rejection keeps them from witnessing to friends or family who do not know Christ. They worry about damaging relationships by bringing up an uncomfortable spiritual topic. However, Jesus warned that His gospel may divide households (Matthew 10:34-36). Some will accept it gladly while others reject it forcefully. Christians cannot control how people respond when hearing the message of salvation. They must faithfully deliver it while trusting the results to God.
Believers should of course share the gospel sensitively and compassionately. But if some still take offense, Christians are called to shake off the rejection and move on. Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town” (Matthew 10:14). Rejection should not stop Christians from testifying to others. The gospel message must go forward.
Ultimately, believers know they cannot convert anyone; only the Holy Spirit brings repentance and faith. Christians are responsible only to deliver the message. The Apostle Paul described his evangelistic ministry saying, “My speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). When believers rest in the Spirit’s power rather than their own persuasive ability, they can withstand rejection and continue serving as willing messengers.
Overcoming Fear through Prayer
Prayer is a vital key to gaining courage and overcoming fear in evangelism. Christians should continually ask God to burden their hearts with love for the lost. They must request boldness to share the gospel when opportunties arise. Believers can present these petitions with confidence, knowing that it is God’s will for all to hear the message of salvation.
Jesus told His followers, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). When they pray persistently for courage in witnessing, God will grant it. The Holy Spirit helps believers’ weakness and intercedes for them according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27). Since bold evangelism aligns with God’s desires, Christians can expect Him to answer prayers on this topic.
When facing a specific witnessing opportunity that incites fear, believers should immediately pray for strength and the right words. The Lord faithfully supports His people in times of need. Jesus promised, “Do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11). Christians have the constant help and power of the Spirit living within them. He enables courageous evangelism when believers pray for His aid.
Biblical Examples of Courageous Witnessing
Scripture offers many examples of bold witnesses that can inspire believers in overcoming fear. After receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, Peter gave a powerful sermon proving Jesus was the Messiah. Though he had previously denied Christ, Peter now fearlessly proclaimed the gospel even though the authorities crucified Jesus just weeks earlier. His courage astonished the crowd (Acts 2:14-36).
After Stephen’s martyrdom, persecution scattered the church from Jerusalem. But the fleeing Christians “went about preaching the word” wherever they went (Acts 8:4). Despite great danger, they boldly shared the gospel. The Apostle Paul also testified tirelessly during his missionary journeys, even when faced with prison, beatings, and violent crowds. He remained focused on his evangelistic calling despite tremendous opposition (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).
These examples reveal that when believers recognize their duty to spread the gospel, they can withstand adversity. Those first Christians understood that Christians must prioritize obedience to Christ above personal comfort or safety. Their courage came not from themselves but from the Holy Spirit within them. As they yielded to God’s calling, He gave them strength to do what seemed impossible.
Modern believers can draw similar courage by meditating on these examples. God’s power worked mightily in the early church witnesses, and He offers believers that same power today. When Christians feel fear and remember the boldness of saints who have gone before, they can press on in Spirit-empowered evangelism, trusting God to use their witness for His glory.
Trusting God’s Promises
As Christians step out to share their faith, they can stand firmly on God’s promises. He assures believers that His word will accomplish its purpose when delivered faithfully. Isaiah 55:11 declares, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
God’s promises give believers confidence that He will use their witness to draw people to salvation. Isaiah 43:10-11 states, “‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.’” What an incredible privilege to testify about the one true God who saves!
Christians must focus on fulfilling their responsibility to share the gospel whenever possible, trusting God to save lives through it. God warns Ezekiel that if he fails to speak out and warn the wicked to repent, Ezekiel will be accountable for their fate (Ezekiel 3:18-19). However, if Ezekiel faithfully warns sinners and they still do not repent, he will not be held responsible. This principle applies to believers today. When Christians obey Christ’s command to witness, they can trust Him with the results.
God also promises to bless and honor those who serve as His witnesses on earth. He assures believers that “those who honor me I will honor” (1 Samuel 2:30). Jesus told His followers, “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). Any earthly rejection believers may face for evangelizing ultimately matters little compared to the eternal reward of living forever in God’s presence. This heavenly perspective gives courage to press on.
Conclusion
Fear need never stop a Christian from fulfilling Christ’s call to evangelize. As believers grow in God’s love, obey the Spirit, withstand rejection, pray persistently, remember biblical examples, claim God’s promises, and keep an eternal perspective, they will discover new courage to move past discomfort and boldly witness for the Lord. God wants all people to hear the gospel and be saved. When Christians devote themselves to this divine purpose, God empowers them mightily through His Spirit to overcome any fear and testify about the hope within them. Faithful evangelism results in lives forever changed by the truth, including their own.
