Be Respectful of Beliefs
You have learned to share your faith with love and boldness, but one vital lesson remains: true ministry is always done with respect.
Being respectful means honoring the other person's journey, their story, and the beliefs they hold, even if you disagree completely. Your job is not to force a change in belief, but to gently present the hope you have in Jesus.
Humility is Ministry
When you respect someone's beliefs, you are walking in Christian humility. Remember that you did not come to Christ through your own cleverness or effort; it was the grace of God that opened your eyes.
You Are a Fellow Traveler: See yourself as someone who found a beautiful treasure (Jesus) and is inviting a friend to see it, not as a superior who has all the answers.
Avoid Arguing to Win: The goal of a spiritual conversation is never to "win" a debate. When you win an argument, you often lose the person. Your goal is to build a bridge of relationship that the Holy Spirit can use. If a conversation becomes heated or hostile, step back. It's okay to say, "I really value our friendship, and I'd prefer not to argue. I'd love to keep talking about this another time."
Understand Before You Speak
Respect means taking the time to understand why a person believes what they do. This comes back to the crucial skill of listening (Post 9).
Ask Good Questions: Instead of criticizing, ask, "What led you to believe that?" or "What does that faith provide for you that you value?" When people feel truly heard, they are much more open to hearing your story.
Focus on the Core: Instead of focusing on small differences, gently pivot the conversation back to the two most important points: Jesus and the love of God. Respectfully acknowledge where their beliefs are different, but anchor your conversation in the simplicity of the Gospel.
When you show deep respect for a person, even when they reject your message, you leave them with something undeniable: the living, gentle love of Christ. And that is a powerful witness.
