Winning Souls & the Fear of Offending!

The Gospel Confronts Sin & Calls for Repentance…

In today's world, there seems to be an ever-growing sensitivity towards what people say and how they say it. We live in an age where offence is taken quickly, and many Christians find themselves paralysed by the fear of upsetting others when sharing the Gospel. But as believers, we must ask ourselves: what is more important—avoiding offence or winning souls for Christ?

The Great Commission given by our Lord Jesus Christ is clear: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20 KJV). This command doesn't come with a caveat that says, "unless someone might be offended." The truth of the Gospel is meant to be shared boldly, lovingly, and without compromise.

The Nature of the Gospel

We must understand that the Gospel itself is inherently offensive to the natural man. The Apostle Paul wrote, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV). The message that we are sinners in need of a Saviour challenges human pride and self-righteousness. It confronts people with the reality of their spiritual condition and their need for redemption through Christ alone.

Paul also described the Gospel as "the offence of the cross" (Galatians 5:11 KJV). The cross represents God's judgement on sin and the only means of salvation. This message will naturally offend those who believe they can earn their way to heaven or who reject the idea that they need saving at all. But this doesn't mean we should water down the message or remain silent.

Speaking Truth in Love

Whilst the Gospel message may be offensive to some, our manner of delivery should always be characterised by love and compassion. The Apostle Paul reminds us, "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:15 KJV). We are called to be bold in our witness, but never harsh, cruel, or condescending.

Jesus Himself demonstrated this perfectly. He spoke hard truths to the Pharisees and religious leaders, calling them "whited sepulchres" (Matthew 23:27 KJV), yet He showed incredible compassion to the woman caught in adultery, saying, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (John 8:11 KJV). He balanced truth with mercy, firmness with gentleness.

When we share the Gospel, we must remember that we're speaking to people who are lost and blinded by sin. Our goal is not to win arguments but to win souls. "And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire" (Jude 1:22-23 KJV).

The Cost of Silence

What happens when we allow the fear of offending to silence our witness? Souls remain lost. People continue in darkness. Eternity hangs in the balance. The prophet Ezekiel gives us a sobering warning about our responsibility: "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand" (Ezekiel 3:18 KJV).

We are watchmen on the wall, and we have a duty to sound the alarm. If we know the way to eternal life and choose to remain silent for fear of offending, we bear a terrible responsibility. Paul declared, "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:26-27 KJV).

Biblical Examples of Bold Witness

Throughout Scripture, we see examples of men and women who refused to be silenced by the fear of offending. Peter and John, when commanded by the religious authorities to stop preaching about Jesus, responded boldly: "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20 KJV).

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, preached a powerful sermon that convicted his hearers of their sin and their rejection of Christ. Though it cost him his life, he remained faithful to the end, saying, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56 KJV).

The Apostle Paul endured tremendous persecution for the Gospel's sake, yet he never compromised. He wrote, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16 KJV). He understood that temporary offence was worth enduring for the sake of eternal salvation.

Finding the Balance

How then do we balance speaking truth boldly whilst still demonstrating Christ-like love?

First, we must pray for wisdom and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy" (James 3:17 KJV).

Second, we must examine our own hearts. Are we speaking truth because we genuinely love people and desire their salvation, or are we simply trying to prove ourselves right? "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1 KJV).

Third, we must be prepared to face opposition. Jesus warned us, "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you" (John 15:18 KJV). We shouldn't seek to offend, but neither should we be surprised or deterred when offence occurs as a result of sharing the truth.

The Eternal Perspective

Ultimately, we must keep an eternal perspective. What matters more—temporary comfort and the approval of men, or the eternal destiny of souls? Jesus asked, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36 KJV). We must ask ourselves a similar question: what does it profit us if we gain the approval of the world but lose the opportunity to win souls for Christ?

The fields are white unto harvest (John 4:35 KJV), and the labourers are few. Time is short, and eternity is long. We cannot afford to be paralysed by the fear of offending when souls hang in the balance. Let us be faithful witnesses, speaking truth in love, trusting that God will use His Word to accomplish His purposes. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

May we have the courage to proclaim the Gospel boldly, the wisdom to do so lovingly, and the faith to trust God with the results. Our calling is clear: win souls, not approval. And may we never forget that the souls we reach today will thank us for eternity…

Key Takeaways:

• The Gospel is inherently offensive to the natural man and will challenge human pride and self-righteousness—we shouldn't water down the message to avoid offence
• Speak truth in love: Our delivery should always be characterised by compassion and gentleness, following Jesus' example of balancing truth with mercy
• Silence has a cost: When we fail to witness out of fear, souls remain lost and we bear responsibility as watchmen (Ezekiel 3:18 KJV)
• Biblical faithfulness over popularity: Like Peter, John, Stephen, and Paul, we must prioritize obedience to God over the approval of men
• Examine your motives: Ensure you're sharing truth from genuine love for souls, not simply to prove yourself right
• Maintain eternal perspective: Temporary offence is worth enduring for the sake of eternal salvation—souls matter more than comfort or approval
• Trust God with the results: Proclaim boldly, speak lovingly, and have faith that God's Word will accomplish His purposes (Isaiah 55:11 KJV)