Saturday, February 13, 2010

The Christian Pedestal...

What happens when you tell someone about your faith in Jesus Christ?

They put you on a pedestal that separates you from the rest of the people they know. Most people respect God but don't think much about Him. They use God's name as a swear word and don't even realize they are doing it. Whenever I become party to new people in my life whether through work, social or neighborly. I always confront blasphemous speech whenever I hear it come from their mouth. The result 9 times out of 10 is the person using God or Jesus Christ's name as a swear word will catch themselves the next time; look at me and apologize for it's use.

I think that person has now entered the ability to be conscious of their speech they have become aware of what they are saying and respecting another persons belief and conviction. If you are a believer and do not know how to confront others about their blasphemous speech which should cause your ears to hurt when you hear it. Here is how I do it and 9 times out of 10 they respect me for my correction of their language.

Your having a conversation perhaps in a group or one on one and someone decides to use God's name as a swear word. I always interject and ask them if they know what they just did. Usually they will ask what it is they did. Here's an example of how it might transpire.


Person. This God damn weather is not letting up

Me. Do you know what you just did?

Person. What did I just do?

Me. You used God's name as a swear word there are many other more appropriate swear words that can be used that do not blaspheme God's name.

Person. Really what did I say?

Me. You said "God damn" when you could have used thousands of other swears that do not blaspheme God's name. God is higher than our highest thought and we should respect His name don't you think?

Person. Hmm never really thought about in fact I didn't even realize I did it.

Me. What is your Mom's name?

Person. (curious look) Her name is Jane.

Me. Would you ever use your Mom's name as a swear word?

Person. No

Me. And you wouldn't like others doing that either would you?

Person. No

Me. Have you ever heard of the Ten Commandments?

Person. Sure who hasn't

Me. Do you know any of them?

Person. Yes, you shall not kill, shall not steal, etc.

Me. Those commandments were giving to use as guide to recognize wrong doing and number 3 is You shall not take the Lord's name in vain for the Lord will not hold him blameless who does it.

Person. Never thought about it sorry

Me. How about commandement number 9 you shall not lie ever done that in your whole life?

Person. Ya sure who hasn't?

Me. And what do you call a person who lies?

Person. A liar

Me. What about number 8 it says you shall not steal, ever done that no matter how small the item?

Person. Yes

Me. And what do you call a person who steals?

Person. A stealer

Me. Or?

Person. A thief

Me. So by your own admission you are a blaspheming, lying, thief at heart and if God judges us on the Ten commandments would you go to heaven or hell?

Person. I guess it would be hell

Me. Does that concern you?

You have now opened that persons heart to hear the gospel tell them your testimony why you believe in God. What God did for you, how God helped you to believe, how God showed you that He is real. Ask if they have a bible if they do not get them one and you have now told someone about your faith.

Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron from "The Way of the Master" use this technique when witnessing on the street to total strangers. Find out for yourself click on the link and hear them witnessing to strangers using the "Ten Commandments"

The Way of the Master


May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

4 comments:

reverent1 said...

Yeah, folks look at you as the standard seething, waiting till you trip up. 'Way of the Master' is a great resource for christians.

Sin defined: Romans 14:13-23, I John 3:4 You read that and you'll see why the pedestal is put under your feet.

M.A.C. said...

Hi reverent1

Tripping up, can become inevitable when you are up on the pedestal. I use this scripture to stop from falling.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

Anonymous said...

I personally find the way of the master arguments somewhat minut. Not a fan whatsoever of that approach.

I mean, does someone stealing make them a thief per se? In all honesty, stealing is wrong for several reasons - none of them because of the title 'thief' you get monickered with. That's where I would approach this somewhat differently.

One could make the argument towards the way of the master people that they break the foremost commandement - idolatry. But Christians would never consider that point of contention - and yet they ask honest people the other nine in that list.

M.A.C. said...

Hi societyvs,

Is a person driving in a car a driver/motorist?

I would say not all motorists have the same gusto towards motoring as others. But they are all drivers/motorists at the precise moment they are driving their car. So would they be thieves at the moment they stole something. Liars if they lied. Adulterers if they cheat or even lust after another person.

The whole idea of the law is not that we break these commandments. But it allows us to see ourselves for what we truly are, sinners. All fall short. God gave us an out through Jesus Christ. None may approach the Father except through the Son.

This technique of using the Ten Commandments is appealing because it uses simple logic. Simple logic that most learned from Carol Lewis when we first read about Alice and how deep the rabbit hole actually went.

How does The Way Of The Master people break the commandment against idolatry?

Please explain...