“At evening withhold not your hand” (Ecclesiastes 11:6)

You should be ready to share Christ everywhere and at all times. It’s been said that the early Christians were so excited, they “gossiped the Gospel”. Saints should “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed” (1 Peter 3:15–16).

The Apostle Peter assumed that sinners will “defame you as evildoers”. What else can they do, if they don’t want to repent? “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (John 3:19–20).

Because most don’t want to hear the truth of their lost condition, we must “walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5–6).

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit will stop you in the middle of a conversation, and make you aware, you’re casting your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6), but this only shows, God is giving you discernment. You are learning, by experience “to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). “On some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire” (Jude 22–23).

After you’ve been hurt a few times, you’ll be tempted to say “fine, go your way”. But don’t take the abuse personally. “The god of this age has blinded, (those) who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

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