(The following is the January 3 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Matthew 3 and pay close attention to verses 7-10.)

John the Baptist didn’t win any congeniality awards. He was blunt from the early days of his public baptisms through his final days in prison, speaking the truth to immoral leaders. He paid with his life.

There are various ways to speak the truth to others. You can take the “brood of vipers” approach John took when addressing the religious leaders of his day. You might get away with it. You might get your head cut off like he eventually did. There are plenty of examples in the Old and New Testaments where God’s spokesmen were quite frank in proclaiming the truth. While not always the most advisable approach, you’d be in excellent company.

You may be more inclined to follow the 1 Peter 3:15-16 method, which is to be “ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect.” Others are more likely to be receptive to this approach, but we shouldn’t always wait for others to start gospel conversations.

Some Christians avoid difficult conversations altogether. This method fails to proclaim the gospel and leaves people in their sin with no chance to believe truth they haven’t heard. This approach is harmful, not helpful. As Christians, we risk having difficult gospel conversations with others because we love and want what is best for them eternally.

People, situations, and relationships are unique. There is no one correct way to engage everyone with gospel truth. The more we build relationships and pray for God to open the right doors and give us the right words, the more likely he will reveal the best way to speak the truth in love to those without Christ.

Next Step:
Who do you know who needs to hear the gospel? Pray for increased desire and opportunities to have such conversations. Walk through the doors God opens out of love for the individuals involved.