Sharing the Word of God
The word of God is able to make its meaning known, even to the simple (Psalm 19:7). But there are some people who may need the word explained to them:
People who don't read the word (lack of knowledge)
People who misinterpret the word (lack of understanding)
People who misapply the word (lack of wisdom)
People who reject the word (lack of humility)
When we encounter someone who falls into one of these categories, we have an opportunity. We can encourage them to read the word, to think about the word, to talk about the word, and to live in obedience to the word.
Here are some insights from Scripture that will help you share God’s word with others.
Know Why You Are Called to Share the Word
1 Thessalonians 2:4 ESV - But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV - Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
The number one reason we share God’s word is to honor Him through obedience.
Will we be blessed if we share the word? Yes! Will others be blessed? Absolutely! But those blessings are poured out when we obey the Lord. Obedience always comes first.
When we make Him our first priority, everything else falls into place (Matthew 6:33). We become blessed by sharing God’s word, and others become blessed by receiving it.
Know Who the Word of God is About
Luke 24:27 ESV - And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Philippians 2:9-11 ESV - Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The highest form of sharing God’s word is to show how it points to Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life, and all of Scripture exists by Him, for Him, and through Him. (John 14:6, Romans 11:36, John 1:1-3)
There are appropriate times to share what the Bible has to say about controversies and current events, but even then we should expect Scripture to show how Jesus is King in every circumstance. Every knee will bow to Him, not to our ideals and agendas. Our goal in sharing the word of God is to help others know Jesus, because it is only through Him that we are saved.
Be Kind and Truthful
Romans 2:4 ESV - …God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.
Psalm 89:14 ESV - Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you.
We have a responsibility to share God’s word in a kind, loving, and faithful way, and we must realize that kindness is meant to help people embrace the truth—that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and that our only hope of redemption is in Jesus Christ.
That can be a difficult truth to accept. It’s not in our fallen natures to admit when we’ve done wrong, and asking for help from Jesus is an affront to our worldly pride.
Kindness helps us get around those things. It softens our hearts so that we can accept the truth about sin. It helps us submit to gentle correction, and it helps us embrace the hope and joy we have in our Savior.
We should always be kind when we share God’s word, but we must never be tolerant, because the truth does not tolerate lies. Kindness doesn’t lead to acceptance of sin; it leads to repentance from sin.
God is love, and His throne is founded on righteousness and justice. The words we use should be kind, but if they are to carry God’s authority, they must also be true.
Use Testimony and Scripture in Tandem
Revelation 12:11 ESV - And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
Isaiah 55:11 ESV - So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
God uses events in our lives to help us understand biblical truths. Sharing life stories along with God’s word is a powerful way to help others relate to Him. Our testimonies can inspire faith in others and overcome the work of the enemy.
However, one word of Scripture is more powerful than a thousand words of our own. Our words can fail; His word never fails. When we read and quote the word of God, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit is at work.
Trust the Word as It Is Written
Psalm 19:7 ESV - The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
God’s word has the ability to make itself understood. The transformative power of Scripture isn’t hindered by our mental, physical, and emotional limitations. We can trust the living and active word of God to cut through noise, distractions, and hard circumstances.
We can trust the word as it is written. It doesn’t need our help. We get to be part of the process, because God is a loving Father who likes to involve His children in what He does. But we don’t need to correct God’s word, and we don’t need to try to change it to help it make more sense.
Use Pure Words
Psalm 12:6 ESV - The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
James 4:8 ESV - Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
You wouldn’t expect a gourmet meal to be served on dirty dishes. If the waiter brought out your meal on a filthy plate, would you even take a bite?
Foul language does not make God’s holiness more appealing. Negativity does not encourage others to have hope. Mean-spirited accusations do not highlight God’s great mercy.
The word of the Lord is pure. If our goal is to honor God, then the words we use to share His word should be equally pure.
Speak Clearly
Nehemiah 8:8 ESV - They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
We should be intentional about the way we speak. That’s not to say we should attempt to persuade people with smooth words. Rather, our goal should be to share God’s word clearly. A pure diamond, cut and polished, reflects the light more brilliantly than a rough diamond pulled straight from the earth.
Teach What is Profitable
Acts 20:20-21 ESV - I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
When an opportunity arises to share God’s word, we should ask, “What will bring about positive growth and transformation?”
The only way we can answer that question is to care about the people in front of us enough to have some idea of what they need. For that, we must be full of God’s love.
We should always pay attention to the leading of the Holy Spirit. He takes joy in helping us remember scriptures that will create positive changes in people’s lives. We can share those scriptures and teach people how to embrace the truth so that their lives become blessed and productive.
Teach Wherever You Are
Acts 20:20-21 ESV - I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We can share God’s word whenever and wherever the opportunity presents itself. There is never a wrong time to preach the gospel.
Teach Whoever is in Front of You
Acts 20:20-21 ESV - I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 2:17 ESV - And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Trust the Lord to put the right people in front of you, and ask Him to identify those people to you.
Don’t be surprised if He wants you to share the gospel with someone who is having a bad day. When Jesus met the woman at the well, she was a little prickly at first. But as God’s word began working in her spirit, her heart began to soften.
Jesus didn’t come to heal the healthy. He came to heal the sick. Are you ready and willing to reach out to the brokenhearted?
Do Not Be Afraid
Acts 20:20-21 ESV - I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
The enemy hates the word of God and makes every attempt to keep it from being shared. In some countries it is illegal to preach the gospel or to own a Bible. Sharing the word of God at work or school is culturally frowned upon. Talk show personalities, celebrities, and politicians slander Christians and dismiss the gospel as fantasy.
Don’t let that stop you. God always honors obedience. If God brings an opportunity to share the gospel, don’t shrink back. Ask God for strength, then go for it! And if you do shrink back, don’t let that stop you, either. Learn from it, ask God to give you more opportunities, and be ready to step up the next time.
Closing Thoughts
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May the Lord bless you as His word flows through you. Amen.