Use Your Words
“Preach the gospel always: when necessary use words.”
This famous quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi is compelling, but we can also use it to hide behind if we aren’t careful.
I remember the first time I was asked to “use my words” and share the gospel with a stranger. It was during a youth conference I was attending. We were going door to door in the projects handing out food items and sharing about Jesus. I was absolutely terrified. I remember my youth pastor telling me to “go for it” after watching his example. I’ll never forget the way I awkwardly shoved the food at the gentleman who opened the door, mumbling and stumbling my way through the message of Christ’s saving love.
I also remember the first time I “used my words” to share the gospel with a Muslim. It was on one of my first mission trips to Uganda, and similarly, the translator had told me to “go for it”. In my nervousness and fear I’m pretty sure I rushed from creation to revelation all in the span of three minutes. The amazing thing is, at the end of my confusing monologue the woman said something with tears in her eyes and then the translator looked at me and said: “She is ready to accept Jesus. Pray with her now.” I was so shocked I could barely remember what was involved in a salvation prayer.
Today I ask myself the question — why was I afraid? I know I wasn’t afraid for my safety; most likely I was afraid of offending someone, of my reputation (especially as a teenager) or of saying the wrong thing. Believers I have worked with in many persecuted parts of the world, the reasons they would have to be afraid would far outweigh any of mine then and now. They face far more than the risk of offending someone; often they must take into account that the response to their words could be violent and lead to dangerous reprisals.
We can agree with the quote above, but not if it’s used as an excuse not to ever “use our words.” Both actions and words are important, and they often complement each other. If I had just come to that Muslim woman’s house in Uganda with water and food, she may still not know Jesus today.
Old or traditional tactics of evangelism are often frowned upon in the U.S. so sometimes it’s tempting just to stick with more generally accepted things like social justice or kindness; after all, these are Christian traits as well. However, the Bible says that it’s when we confess with our mouths that we are saved (Romans 10:9). Again in Romans 10:14 it says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” Although good deeds can point others to Christ, it’s not to be a replacement to speaking the truth of Jesus, and by God’s grace we even live in a country where we are free to do so.
St. Francis of Assisi himself regularly preached, or verbally proclaimed, the gospel. Pray for opportunities, and don’t let fear hold you back from speaking the truth. Our Muslim friends, neighbors and co-workers need more than just our charity; many have yet to hear the true gospel of Christ. The gospel that brings freedom, hope and eternal life. And more often than not, it will be necessary to “use your words.”