Thursday Devotional - How Persuasive are You?

I wouldn’t consider myself a very persuasive person. I do not like to sell anything. In fact, I remember being terrified to go door-to-door to sell Christmas ornaments for a school fundraiser in fourth grade! It was not a fond memory!!! I’m not in Sales for a reason!!!

When it comes to sharing the gospel and truth about God, we don’t need to focus on being persuasive. We certainly want to get our facts straight, but sharing the truth from our heart and from our personal experience is where we can focus. We aren’t responsible for the other person’s response, but for our obedience to share the truth.

The last few weeks we’ve seen Paul share the truth and his personal experience over and over. It angered some. Festus called him insane, but that didn’t stop him!

Acts 26:25-29           ²⁵ “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. ²⁶ The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

²⁹ Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Paul wasn’t focused on being persuasive (although, I’m guessing he was a very persuasive person). He focused on obediently sharing the truth out of love for the listener, no matter what the response.

With whom do you and I need to lovingly share the truths of God, without worry about their response? The Holy Spirit convicts. We aren’t responsible for persuading.

Alice