As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to spread the Good News of salvation through faith in Him (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15). However, when we obey this command, some people may react with anger, accusations, and even personal attacks. But why?
The Bible provides insight into why some individuals respond negatively to the message of Jesus Christ:
Spiritual Blindness: Satan, the enemy of God, blinds the minds of unbelievers to prevent them from seeing the light of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Pride and Self-Righteousness: People may feel threatened by the message of salvation through faith in Jesus, as it challenges their own self-righteousness and pride (Luke 18:9-14).
Fear of Change: The message of Jesus requires repentance and a change of heart, which can be uncomfortable and even frightening for some individuals (Matthew 3:2, Acts 2:38).
Misconceptions and Misunderstandings: Some people may have misconceptions about Jesus, Christianity, or the Bible, leading them to react negatively to the message (Matthew 22:29, Acts 17:2-3).
Conviction of Sin: The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin, righteousness, and judgment, which can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and even anger (John 16:8-11).
Lack of Understanding of God's Love: Some individuals may not understand the depth of God's love and mercy, leading them to perceive the message of Jesus as judgmental or condemning (1 John 4:8, Romans 5:8).
Cultural and Social Pressures: People may face pressure from their cultural or social environments to reject the message of Jesus, leading to a negative reaction (Matthew 10:22, John 15:18-21).
Personal Experiences and Hurts: Traumatic experiences or past hurts can lead individuals to associate Christianity or the message of Jesus with pain, anger, or bitterness (Psalm 34:18, Matthew 11:28-30).
Spiritual Warfare: As followers of Jesus, we are engaged in spiritual warfare, and the enemy may use various tactics to silence us or discourage us from sharing the gospel (Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
Human Nature: Unfortunately, human nature can be prone to rebellion, stubbornness, and resistance to the truth (Romans 3:10-18, Jeremiah 17:9).
Conclusion
As we share the message of Jesus Christ, we should not be surprised when we encounter resistance, anger, or accusations. Instead, we should:
Pray for those who respond negatively, asking God to open their hearts and minds to the truth (Matthew 9:37-38, 2 Thessalonians 3:1).
Continue to share the gospel with love, compassion, and respect, trusting that God will use His Word to bring people to salvation (1 Corinthians 3:6-7, Isaiah 55:10-11).
Remember that we are not responsible for the outcome, but rather for faithfully obeying God's command to share the gospel (1 Corinthians 3:5-7, Matthew 28:18-20).
May we remain faithful in sharing the message of Jesus Christ, trusting in the power of the gospel to transform lives and bring people to salvation.
