Dealing with Those Who Have Difficulties
We have studied how to deal with those who are indifferent toward accepting Christ. We shall now study how to deal with the class of people who are not indifferent, but are kept from accepting Christ by difficulties.
We shall take up the study of how to meet these individual problems and what Scriptures to use for each one. In meeting problems, we must depend upon the Word for the solution.
“I would accept Christ, but I know that I cannot live a Christian life.”
In this lesson, we shall deal with this difficulty; studying how to meet different problems that we face in endeavoring to lead to Christ those who have this reason for not accepting Him as Savior and Lord.
First of all, show the one who has this difficulty that in his condition of spiritual death, he cannot judge his ability to live as a child of God.
Explain to him that it is perfectly natural for him to feel that he cannot live a Christian life because as one who is alienated from God, he would have no love for Him or desire to do His will.
Make it plain to him that when he accepts Christ, he will become a new creation in Christ.
Read to him, if possible, 2 Corinthians 5:17. This will show him that when he accepts Jesus as his Savior and Lord, spiritual death will be eradicated from his spirit and with that eradication, old things will pass away—old desires of selfishness, bitterness, and hatred, and old habits that have held him in bondage.
Use such Scriptures as John 5:24 and 1 John 5:12 to show him that in the place of spiritual death that has reigned in his spirit, he will receive the nature of God. With this nature will come into his life new desires, a definite knowledge of God, a love for God and man, and freedom from sin.
There are many other Scriptures that you may give to the one who is troubled this way. A very important one is Hebrews 7:25. Show him that the Word declares that Christ is able to save him to the uttermost because He ever lives to make intercession for him.
Explain to him that when he becomes a child of God, Christ takes him over and becomes responsible for him. He has been entrusted with our salvation and He is enabled to do it.
To one who has this difficulty, you must make clear the present ministry of Christ.
Among those troubled with this sense of weakness, we will meet those who are afraid of the power of sin.
Give to them Romans 6:14, explaining why children of God are not in bondage to sin. Use also 1 John 4:4, letting him know that the One in him will be greater than the one in the world who has the power of sin.
You will meet those who are afraid of failure.
Give to them Jude 1:24, which shows that Christ is able to keep them from falling. Use also 1 Corinthians 10:13 to show them that no great temptation can cause them to fall.
We will also meet in this group those who are bound by a sense of weakness.
Show him that the Word declares that his weakness is God’s opportunity to manifest His strength. God knows every weakness of the human life and yet He declares that His grace is sufficient, that His strength will be made manifest in human weakness, regardless of what it may be.
The Scripture that meets this problem is 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. You may also be able to use Philippians 4:13 to show that in Christ, he will be able to do all things. Make real to him the fact that when a man becomes a new creation in Christ, Christ’s strength takes the place of weakness.
There are those who say, “The Christian life is too hard.”
Explain that it would seem hard to the one who has not become a child of God. Make clear to him that Christianity is not a religion, a set of creeds or doctrines that we try to follow, but it is merely a man’s life and walk with God as his Father.
Show him that it is a normal, natural life with God as Father, the normal realm for every man.
Explain to him that when a man has received the life of God and come to a definite knowledge of Him as Father, it is a joy to do His will and doing His will is the essence of the Christian’s life.
Scriptures that you may use are: 1 John 5:3; Matthew 11:30; Proverbs 3:17; and Psalm 26:2.
Use Proverbs 13:15 to show him that it is really the life alienated from God that is unnatural and a hard life for man.
In dealing with these individual problems, you must be able to meet them with the Word of God. Therefore, carefully study these Scriptures. If you are not able to memorize each one, memorize its reference so that you will be able to use it quickly and efficiently when the need arises.
In your personal work as you meet difficulties, use the name of Jesus. We are not warring against flesh and blood. (See Ephesians 6:12.)
Always hold the following facts in mind:
• “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
• The reasons that a man has for rejecting Christ are born of the spiritual darkness that blinds his mind. (See 2 Corinthians 4:4.)
• You have authority in the name of Jesus that is greater than the one who blinds the minds of the unbelieving. (See Mark 16:17.)
Therefore, confidently and with assurance, meet the difficulties with His Word, silently taking deliverance in the name of Jesus from the blindness of Satan over their minds.
Our ability to efficiently and effectively meet the individual problems of those we meet with the Word of God is a big factor in personal work. The lordship of Satan has been legally broken over a man’s life. The moment that any man will believe upon Christ, the authority of Satan over his life comes to an end.
Satan has no legal right to have any dominion over man if that man will accept the lordship of Christ.
Therefore, Satan’s only means of holding one within his authority is blinding a man to the Word. He blinds a man by presenting him with these difficulties. Therefore, as ambassadors on behalf of Christ, we must prepare to meet these problems with God’s Word.
In our next lesson, we will take up other difficulties that we shall encounter. Study each problem carefully and prepare to satisfactorily answer it in your own mind.
QUESTIONS
- What should be shown to a man who believes that he cannot lead a Christian life?
- How would you deal with one who is afraid of failure after he becomes a Christian?
- What Scriptures would you use for one who is afraid of the power of sin?
- Show how you would help the one who said, “The Christian life is too hard.”
- Why must we be prepared to meet difficulties with the Word of God?
11
Dealing with Those Who Are Unwilling to Become Christian
Winning souls to Christ is the most important work that we have to do. It is the work that is dearest to the heart of the Master. It is really taking His place among men.
To become an efficient soul winner should be our goal. We must prepare ourselves to meet the personal problems and difficulties of those whom we shall endeavor to win to Christ.
Therefore, we are taking up further difficulties that we may meet in our personal work contacts. We want to be prepared to meet every difficulty with His Word, for it is the sword of the Spirit. (See Ephesians 6:17.)
Our wrestling is with “the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).
Behind each difficulty that keeps a man from accepting Christ are the forces of Satan. If we are not prepared to meet these difficulties with God’s Word, we cripple the working of the Holy Spirit through us. We hinder His using His sword, the Word of God, to cast down every thought and every reasoning that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ. (See 2 Corinthians 10:5.)
Meditate carefully on these Scriptures.
In our last lesson, we dealt, more or less, with difficulties that arose from a sense of an inability to live a Christian life.
In this lesson, we shall take up a different type of difficulties, those that arise more from an unwillingness to become a Christian.
FEAR OF PERSECUTION
There are those who do not want to accept Christ because they will be persecuted. When we meet this difficulty, we must not try to eradicate it by telling the inquirer that he will not be persecuted. Instead, we should endeavor to show him that every persecution will bring a reward.
Explain that in the midst of persecution, he will have an inner joy and peace that nothing can destroy. Use Romans 8:18 to show that every suffering for the name of Christ here will be outweighed in glory over there. Also show that in every persecution, His grace will be sufficient for us.
Scriptures that you may use in meeting this difficulty are the following: 2 Timothy 2:12; 3:12; Hebrews 12:2–3; Matthew 5:10–12; and Acts 14:22.
FEAR OF GIVING UP TOO MUCH
A very common difficulty that we shall meet is the feeling that becoming a Christian means giving up too much.
There are those who are unwilling to give up the pleasures of the world for Christ. This is the general attitude of the world toward Him. There are several ways in which we may meet this problem. One way is to show the one with whom you are dealing that to gain the whole world would profit him nothing if he should lose his soul. Use Mark 8:35–37.
Show him that he is an eternal spirit being.
You may also show him that it is perfectly natural for him to have that feeling. In his alienated condition from God, he is dependent upon the world for his happiness. Explain to him the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness comes from without; it is dependent upon favorable circumstances. When the circumstances of one’s life change and become unfavorable, happiness leaves. Joy comes from within; it comes from God. It is not dependent upon circumstances.
The world has no joy to give; its best offer is happiness, and when circumstances become contrary, it has no substitute.
Show him that when he becomes a Christian, “he is a new creature: old things are passed away” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Old habits and desires will pass away. Explain that all things become new; a new life is his with new joys, new realities.
Show him that nothing that a man gives up can be compared to what he gains in becoming a child of God.
Ask him of what in all the world over may be compared to a definite, positive knowledge of God and a walk in fellowship and communion with Him as Father.
Explain the Father fact of God, the Father’s place He will hold in our lives, and His Father love for us. He is interested in our joy and happiness. He would not ask us to give up anything that would be best for our well-being.
Stress here that Christianity is not a set of creeds or doctrines; it is not a religion. It is a Father and His family.
Point out prayer privileges, freedom from anxiety and worry, and the advantages that come from a life with a God of love.
You may use the following Scriptures to bring out those truths: John 1:12; 14:27; 16:27; and Romans 8:28, 31–32.
BUSINESS PROBLEMS
There are those who are unwilling to accept Christ because of business problems.
Some feel that in their business positions, they could not live a Christian life. Others feel that it would hinder their success in business if they were to become Christians.
The first thing to show one who feels that he could not continue in his present business if he were to accept Christ is the fact that it is better to give up an illegitimate business than to lose his soul. Mark 8:35–37 may also be used here.
Then stress the following fact: no legitimate business will ever be hindered by one’s accepting Christ and following Him. Show that becoming a Christian is becoming a partner with God.
Use John 14:23. The Father and the Master will live with us in our homes, our businesses, and in all we do.
The miracle-working God will meet every financial need, carry every burden. He has promised to meet every need. (See Philippians 4:19.)
Show the sacredness of His Word to Him, the fact that it cannot be broken, and the utter financial security of the one who will walk with Him. You may also use Matthew 6:33. Righteousness is the ability to walk with God without a sense of guilt or condemnation.
One of the results of seeking His righteousness is the ability to walk fearlessly, trusting Him.
FEAR OF LOSING FRIENDS
There are those who are unwilling to accept Christ because they will lose friends.
Show this group the rich fellowship and loving friendship that springs up between those who become brothers and sisters of Christ.
Show the close tie of love between members of God’s family and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ, the mutual burden-bearing and care for one another.
Explain that this love for each other, the Father, and Jesus is the very heart of Christianity.
You may use John 13:33–34; Romans 15:1; and 1 Corinthians 12:25–26.
QUESTIONS
- If we are not prepared to meet personal difficulties with the Word, what effect will it have upon our ministry?
- Tell how to answer the one who is afraid of persecution for Christ’s sake.
- How would you deal with the one who felt that becoming a Christian meant giving up too much?
- Explain how to show an unsaved man that becoming a Christian would not harm his business.
- What truths would you give to one who did not want to accept Christ because he would lose friends by doing so?