Using Grice’s Maxims for Optimal Evangelism
1 - Grice’s Quality Maxim
Though Paul Grice was a philosopher and not a theologian, he had principles that can apply in sharing our Faith with others seeking and curious about Christianity. ’Grice’s Maxims’ were his ideas for effective communication, which usually prove true in daily communication.
Today we’ll discuss the Quality Maxim and see how the Holy Spirit can help us be bold in telling the truth of the Gospel to those who have not seen the Beautiful Light of the Lord.
Quality - Providing accurate information - true and accurate, with the degree of accuracy stated in the message.
How do we provide accurate information about the Bible? By both what we have been taught and what we have learned from reading the Bible. The more you read, the more you lead, and the more you know about the Bible, the more you grow in your Christian walk!
Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and we must be exposed to it in order to know what it actually SAYS. How can you know what a hot shower feels like unless you are exposed to its hot water? That hot water can relax your muscles and relieve tension, just as reading the Bible can put your Spirit in the Peace of God from the God of Peace and relieve tension. Time alone with God is great for any stressful situation. When the going gets tough, the righteous get going into their prayer closet! Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up! (James 4:10)
Providing the true message of Jesus Christ - His death on the cross for the payment of our sins, His resurrection to conquer death and hell, His Deity -but fully man on earth, but also Fully God, and His offer for Salvation - while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), and forgiveness of sins - He is faithful and just to forgive us of ALL our sins and cleanse us of ALL unrighteousness (I John 1:9). All this is within guidelines of good Biblical doctrine.
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." - 2 Timothy 4:2
The Bible is our ultimate source of Good Doctrine. If it doesn’t fit the profile of the Bible’s teachings, it doesn’t pass the test. If you remember in Acts, the Bereans (from Acts 17), they checked everything that they were taught. Even in church situations (hehe, and Bible studies), we all know that humans make mistakes. Check the message with the Bible and prove this message for yourself.
"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few." - Acts 17:10-12
Longer exposure of your mind to the Word also has great benefits, and the more you allow it to take effect in your life, the more fulfillment you will have in daily life. The Joy of the Lord will be your strength and you will see a drastic change even with a slight increase to time spent in the Bible.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." - 2 Timothy 3:16-17
When telling others the wonderful message of Jesus Christ, don’t be surprised to hear the unexpected. A great deal of people believe their ’own religions’ due to their wanting to be ’individual,’ which in this case could be used as ’rebellious’ or ’lost.’ Christianity is definitely about conforming to the image of God’s Son, but you don’t have to be a conformist to join. Each person has been given individual talents and characteristics, but the commonality among Christians is the Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Goodness, Gentleness, Meekness, Faithfulness, and Self-Control that has been placed in their life by the Holy Spirit’s Awesome Power!
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." - 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Sometimes you will be so astounded at what people believe that you could previously only imagine a similar belief system to be from a comic book. However, remember to have compassion on them, as we all had to have compassion on our own heads, because like sheep we all have gone astray. Yet if we are Christians, we were lost, but now are found, and are set free indeed by the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." - 2 Timothy 4:5
Don’t be scared or shrink away if the devil attacks. He is angry because he knows his time left is short (from Revelation 12) and doesn’t want to lose souls currently in his possession. Some have noticed that the phone will ring right when you get to the heavy part of the Salvation message. Make sure that distractions are not around! We are not guaranteed tomorrow, and who knows what will happen. Remember that the time for Salvation is now, and anyone can be a Child of God. All who call upon the name of the Lord will be Saved! (from prophecy through Joel in Joel 2:32 and mentioned by Peter in Acts 2:21 and mentioned by Paul in Romans 10:13)
Along with this maxim is the issue of the degree of confidence of the accuracy of the information. If we are unsure of a message’s accuracy, we modify our boldness by using a clause similar to ’I am not sure if this is true or not’ or ’someone else thought’ or ’I heard’. Well, did you see any Prophet or Apostle in the Bible say ’my Redeemer probably is living.’ ? I certainly didn’t!
I heard from Paul, "...nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12b)
Now you can say, ’well Paul SAW Jesus.’ What about Job?
I heard from Job, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:" (Job 19:25-26)
David said, "All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name." (Psalm 86:9)
We can’t just think, but we need to KNOW that our Redeemer liveth! A great deal of it is Faith, but it’s in no way a "blind faith." Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Blind faith would infer ’no evidence,’ so blind faith is just an oxymoron. The Christian Faith is FULL of confirmations of God’s Existence and Supreme and Divine Power.
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." - Romans 1:20
If we present a message of just doctrine in a boring fashion, what are people going to think? Doctrine is good, but where will it lead if we aren’t honest in our emotions about it? Christianity is NOT a boring lifestyle (not a religion, but a relationship), but it’s full of amazing things that will set you in awe with God and how Awesome He is! Take the time to read the Bible, take time to pray to Him frequently, and see how Wonderful Jesus is! Hallelujah! God is Good, and that’s not just part-time!
The boldness of our witnessing will come from the Holy Ghost. Jesus told His disciples when he was leaving for Heaven (after His resurrection and visit on earth) to "tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49b). The whole ministry of the Apostles was empowered by the Holy Ghost, and a ton of account of that is found in the book of Acts, where the mighty rushing wind came into the Upper Room and the Apostles and the rest there received the ’Baptism with the Holy Ghost’ as Jesus had promised in His time on earth. They even were empowered to speak others’ languages and led many to Christ that day. Peter’s first sermon in a land where nobody really was Saved led THREE THOUSAND to Jesus! That’s Power and Boldness for you!
Before you witness, the best thing you can do is turn it over to Jesus. Ask Him to help you with the right words and that He would make you bold in what You say. He will, just trust in Him! People were amazed after the Sermon on the Mount, given by Jesus, because He had not just a message, but Authority! We aren’t supposed to be offensive (as in offending others by our own actions as opposed to the Bible’s Message), but we are to present the offense of the Cross.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." - Romans 1:16
God’s Kingdom is a Kingdom of Power and Love and Hope, and if we are Christians, we need to represent Him while we are here on earth. We can spew out every doctrine in a monotone voice, but that wouldn’t be the most effective way of witnessing. Put some Life from the Lord behind your message. Tell others your testimony, maybe even, how God has been working in your life lately! God doesn’t want us sitting in a seat of fright, but standing out in a crowd showing forth His Glory.
So in this battleground, remember to keep your Quality excellent and ’Grade A’, but to back it up with fire from God (and don’t bring your blow torch because you won’t need it!), and that’s only THROUGH His Power and asking Him for it. The message of Salvation is NOT complex. We goofed, Jesus was sent, He died for the payment of our sins and was the perfect Sacrifice for us, He rose again that upon believing on Him, asking Him to be our Savior, we will have eternal life with Him in Heaven and a better life (life more abundantly) here on earth.
If you haven’t asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior yet, I can honestly say that you have been missing out. If you ever have felt that your life is without purpose, He has a purpose for every one of us. He knows what we will enjoy most and do best. If you ever have been extremely stressed out or depressed, Jesus provides the Joy you need. Cast all your cares upon Jesus, He will give you Awesome Peace, even Peace beyond our understanding! You will never be the same again if you choose Christ, and it won’t be a change for the worse or for dullness. Jesus Christ gives the most fulfilling and exciting ride of your life.
If you wish to accept Jesus as your Savior, and you are sorry for your sins and want Him to help your life out enormously, pray a prayer out loud to Him right now, "Jesus, be my Savior. Forgive my sins, cleanse my heart, put me on Your Perfect Path for my life. Bless me and give me the Joy, Peace, Fulfillment, and Eternal Life you promise to Your Children. Thank You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen."
God doesn’t require 30 people to be around you or even 20 or 10 to ask Jesus to be your Savior. Just you and Him - it’s a personal relationship. Prayer is a wonderful Gift from God!
God bless you, and keep reading the Bible, praying, and praising the Lord!
"Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand;" - Psalm 149:6
