Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.   1 Peter 3:15

When I was a new Christian I wanted to base my faith on facts, not on feelings. So I became equipped with knowledge of the scriptures, prophecy, and scientific evidence to support truth of the Bible’s content. I was so excited by the truths I learned that I wanted to tell the whole world, especially my family and friends. But over the last 20 years, God has taught me something equally significant to being able to build a case for Christ. That is, God calls us to be bearers of the truth, not enforcers of the faith.

I made this discovery when a friend kindly sent me a letter in which she wrote, “I would appreciate it if you would respect my beliefs.” Humbled and thankful that she loved me enough to try to preserve our friendship, I realized my responsibility is to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit–not a know it all.  Over time, I have become more sensitive to how others receive what I so desperately want to share. Now I try to sense when I’ve said enough and leave the rest up to the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6). Rather than risk offending by saying too much, when I share my faith with someone, I breathe a prayer instead.