The Art of Listening: Why Christians Must Listen Before Sharing The Gospel

Have you ever tried sharing your faith only to feel like you're talking to a brick wall? What if the key to effective evangelism isn't found in what you say, but in how well you listen?

In today's fast-paced world where everyone is fighting to be heard, the simple act of listening has become a rare gift. Yet, according to Scripture, it might be the most powerful evangelism tool we're not using.

The Witness Stand Problem

Proverbs 14:5 tells us, "A faithful witness will not lie, but a false witness will utter lies." The worst thing we can do is lie to a lost person about their need for a savior.

But what constitutes a lie in witnessing? Sometimes, it's not what we say that's false—it's what we assume about the person we're speaking to.

Have you been guilty of:

• Launching into Scripture before understanding what someone actually believes?

• Assuming you know someone's objections to Christianity without asking?

• Speaking more than listening during spiritual conversations?

If so, you're not alone. Many Christians struggle with the art of truly listening before sharing the gospel.

What Jesus Modeled

Jesus was called "a friend of publicans and sinners" for a reason. He didn't just preach at people—He engaged with them. He asked questions. He listened.

When we witness to lost people, we must remember they are enemies of the gospel, just as we once were. But they need to see the love of God in our hearts and in our witness.

Consider this powerful thought from the sermon:

Do you know that gentleness has the power to subdue the strongest opposition? We often think of gentleness as weakness, but it isn't. The gentle rays of the sun can melt a very strong, stubborn iceberg faster than the aggressive billows of the ocean's waves.

The Transformative Power of Being Heard

You can't genuinely love someone until you hear what they believe that isn't correct or true. And then when you hear what isn't correct and true and false and blasphemous, you're able to love them enough in spite of all of their false beliefs without "ripping their face off."

Imagine having spiritual conversations where:

• People feel genuinely heard and understood

• Your credibility increases because you took time to understand

• The hard truths you share are received because they're delivered with grace

• You build relationships instead of burning bridges

This kind of witnessing doesn't just happen. It requires intentionality and biblical wisdom.

Biblical Principles for Becoming a Better Listener in Evangelism

1. Clothe Yourself in Humility

1 Peter 5:5 reminds us, "All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: For God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble."

The first thing a lost person should see in you isn't just love, but that you have "the clothing of humility." God gives grace to the humble. If you want others to receive God's grace, they need to see that you're wearing the clothing of humility that shows you're full of grace.

You can't tell someone to be saved by grace while showing no grace yourself. It creates a disconnect.

2. Be Genuinely Friendly

Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Stick with lost people. Be a friend who will listen to them and care. While you won't have the same deep relationship as with fellow believers, that's no excuse not to stick close to them, lend your ear, and listen so they see that you love them, that you're humble, and that you'll stick by them.

3. Speak with Grace Seasoned with Salt

Colossians 4:5-6 instructs us to "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man."

This means being courteous and finding areas where you can be agreeable. God didn't tell us not to answer every person, but there is a way to do it—with speech that is gracious and "seasoned with salt" to make it palatable.

Just as it takes 30 minutes to 24 hours to properly salt meat, we might need to take that time just to listen. And as we listen, we ask the Lord to "pass the salt," because we want the message that comes out of our mouths to taste good and be palatable.

4. Remember the Law-Grace Balance

James 4:6 reminds us that "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." If you try to witness to somebody in a proud, "bowed up," stiff-necked way, God is resisting that witness.

When someone is filled with pride, share the law. But when their heart is touched with humility, that's when they're ready for grace. "It's always law to the proud, grace to the humble."

Listening: The Missing Ingredient in Our Witness

We don't have any lack of Bible truth in the United States. You can find it if you look. What we have a lack of is people willing to just listen to this lost and dying world.

Think of it this way:

If somebody comes into the hospital on a stretcher, a doctor doesn't just grab them and start throwing drugs down their throat and putting IVs in them. They wait until they get a chart, figure out what's going on by reading and listening, and then come up with a plan of action. You need information before you can start doing anything, and you don't get that information unless you listen and pay attention.

🎯 Want to grow in your ability to reach others for Christ?

This blog post covers just a fraction of the powerful biblical teaching on effective witnessing found in the complete sermon. For the full, verse-by-verse Bible teaching that will transform your approach to sharing your faith, click here to listen to the entire message!

Our expository preaching and verse-by-verse Bible teaching will equip you with the tools you need to become a more effective witness for Christ. Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of God's Word and sharpen your evangelism skills! 🙏