Enemies of Evangeism

The Seven Enemies of Evangelism

If there were a wiretap in hell’s war room, the strategies to stop God’s people from evangelizing would be revealed. We, who have the message of power, life, love, peace, and joy, need to guard ourselves against falling into these snares. There are at least seven reasons why Christian’s don’t win souls.

1. Deception—“I’m not an evangelist.” Before we were Sunday school teachers, choir members, or even world famous preachers, we were Christians. Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you a fisher of men.” God never intended to leave witnessing to the evangelists and pastors. The entire body of Christ is to be salt and light to this dying world.

2. Fear—“I’m afraid of rejection.” 2 Cor. 5:14 says, “The love of Christ compels me.” If you were paid $1000 every time you shared the gospel, would that motivate you to do it all the time? If so, how much more should your love for God motivate you to witness to someone? Fear is sent by the enemy to paralyze us and keep us from increasing the population of heaven and decreasing the population of hell.

3. Apathy—“I just don’t care.” Apathy is indifference and lack of concern, the exact opposite of passion. Passion is intense desire. As a tire can get a slow leak, so our Christian walk can experience passion leaks. Place soul winning at the top of your priority list. If it is not at the top, it will wind up at the bottom.

4. No vision for the harvest—“Why bother evangelizing? No one will want to get saved.” This is in direct opposition to what Jesus said in John 4:35: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for the harvest.” We will only do what we believe. We need to get a vision of the vast harvest God has placed before us.

5. Forgetting what it was like before we were saved—“I can’t remember that far back.” Deut. 5:15 says, “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand and outstretched arm.” We can’t ever forget what our life was like without Him, to be a prisoner to sin, in chains, serving the god of this world. This will enable us to see all of the hurting people in our lives in a new light.

6. Lack of prayer—“I gave up praying for my lost loved one’s. They are hopeless.” If you want to see results in witnessing—pray, pray, pray! The battle for the lost is raged on our knees. Prayer + the love of God + the Gospel = a soul won to Christ.

7. Not knowing how to evangelize—“I want to witness. I just don’t know how.” This is the easiest evangelism enemy to overcome. There are many wonderful seminars, books, and tapes on soul winning. Meditate on soul winning Scriptures in the Bible and tell the Lord your desire to learn. He will send resources and people across your path to help you. He is just looking for willing vessels!

--Jamie Morgan