A Key to Witnessing

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

— Colossians 4:5-6

If you flip on the television you will quickly see that the culture today does not put much emphasis on one thing that is a key to witnessing and that is tact. On reality shows, the people seem not to think about what they say before they say it. Whatever comes up comes out. It's not just "reality" show, which are not real, everyday people just seem to have lost civility and tact. Someone defined it as, 'the art of making a point without making an enemy.

The message of the gospel offends. Its very core message is the stark reality of eternity. But as Christians, we don't have to be insensitive to those we approach with the gospel. You have probably seen or heard of someone telling an unbeliever that they were going to hell as they started off the conversation. This approach does not engage the unbeliever but puts them off.

Jesus knew how to talk to people. Although He knew what was in people's hearts, He knew how to engage them in conversation. When He approached the woman at the well in Samaria, He asked her a question. The important thing to do is to open up a dialogue. Listening to what they have to say can help guide you to where they are spiritually. As you continue to listen, you will have opportunities to share the gospel message with them.