Witnessophobia
“Yahweh Tsabaoth is with us;
A high stronghold is the God of Jacob. Selah!
(Psalm 46:12 {verse 11 in English })
And the psalmist closes with the refrain, repeated from verse 8 (verse 7 in English versions). Though the world might come to an end, the God of Armies is with us. He is our guard and our shelter from the storms of life and the enemies that would seek to do us harm. He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega. He is the Lord of Hosts. And he is with us.
If we believe these words, why do we struggle so when it comes to engaging the world with the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Why do we fear that which cannot threaten or harm us? I, like many, suffer from a fear of heights. Even in a glass elevator, where I am perfectly safe and protected as I am lifted upwards, the fear causes my pulse to rise and my grip on the railing in the elevator to grow very tight. Why? Phobias are irrational fears, and though they affect us in real ways, when you look honestly at them, they are kind of foolish. Why should I fear riding high in the air in a glass elevator? Nothing will harm me! Yet my knees grow weak. It seems that many Christians, while not necessarily suffering from a phobia of heights, suffer from a phobia of sharing their faith. Some jokingly refer to this as “witnessophobia,” but let us speak honestly — it is an irrational fear that stems from a sinful heart and a fear of rejection. Friends, don’t fall into this trap, our God is the Lord of Armies and a high stronghold and he has not given us a spirit of fear but one of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). Why hesitate; go, share the love and truth of Christ Jesus with a friend or neighbor that does not know him so that they too may find refuge in the Lord of all Refuge…Selah!
Posted on January 30, 2012, in Expositions and tagged Christians and Fear, Fear, God is our High Stronghold, phobia, Psalm 46, Witnessophobia, Yahweh Tsabaoth. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
The Preacher's Study 
Win,
“that stems from a sinful heart and a fear of rejection.”–I’m wondering what sins are in me that makes me fearful of witnessing. Any ideas? Do you think it’s different for everyone? If I get the opportunity to witness I don’t hesitate to do it. The problem is, nobody is asking and I’m not the type that goes looking for chances to witness. I think I am too content to just sit and read, and write and work and not make very many contacts with people. Some days I don’t talk to anybody at all, some days only one or two people, and I rarely get in a conversation with a non-Christian. Thanks for this post.
Stephen
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You know, the interesting thing is that if Christians would be more vocal, we would truly begin being salt and light. And, much like you, when an opportunity presents itself, I am quick to share the Gospel; but I am not always as swift to seek out those opportunities as I ought to be. In my case, I am not so sure that it is fear so much as busyness of life. My life often feels like the the man at the carnival with a series of plates spinning on top of sticks. Note that I am not complaining, for the most part, I am most productive when I have lots of plates going or many pots on the fire. The key is making the seeking out of relationships with non-Christians a priority and seeing what God does with you in their life.
win
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Reblogged this on Studying Prayer.
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Thanks,
That’s something I should work on–seeking out relationships, especially with non-Christians. To tell the truth I don’t seek out relationships with Christians well either. I’ll have to get to work on that–starting today.
Stephen
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I have found the best way to build relationships is with some of those people we interact with off and on during the week. Back when I lived in Florida, there were two gas stations that I stopped at regularly and I built a friendly relationship with several of the ladies who worked there simply by asking them how they were doing and taking time to listen to their response. Were more Christians to slow down their lives a bit and take interest in people, think how much more effective our ministry would be.
w.
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Okay thanks again.
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