As a Christian, I am not ashamed of the gospel, but sometimes I catch myself hesitating or becoming shy when I want to bring it up or defend it in conversation. I am not sure if it is just me or if culture has made it such a polarizing topic. How do I move past the shyness and become more confident in sharing my faith?
— Thanks,
Shy but Why
Blake Johnson
Blake’s Take
Dear Shy but Why,
Great question. Thank you for writing and opening the dialogue on such a tough topic. I think we all struggle with sharing our beliefs at times. The truth is we live in a melting pot of culture, and it can be difficult to always know who our audience is. Although that should not matter, society has somehow convinced us that sharing one’s beliefs is taboo, and it seems even more so lately, especially for Christians.
To answer the first part of your question, I do believe that a diverse culture in this country makes Christianity more controversial. With that said, Christianity has been a polarizing topic since its inception. In the beginning, if everyone had accepted Christ, there would have been no sacrifice, and without His sacrifice there would be no pardon for sin. If you think about it that way, defiance made Christianity and salvation possible. Even with evidence of Christ and His sacrifice at the time, some remained defiant, and that defiance continues today. It may feel more prevalent now because Christianity in the United States is declining. It is estimated to have dropped from 90 to 62 percent since the 1990s. As the number of other religious affiliations grows, including those who identify as agnostic, opposition grows as well.
In addition, in the presence of such bold opposition, many Christians are becoming timid.
If we, as Christians, want to reverse that decline and grow within the country, we must be willing to speak up. Christians are the disciples of Jesus, and He tells His disciples in Matthew, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19–20). We may face opposition, but it is important to use the opportunities we are given. When the apostles faced resistance, Jesus told them, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet” (Matt. 10:14). We cannot control the response, but we can have the satisfaction of knowing we did our part. The fact is we never know how we may impact others or the difference a few kind, compelling words can make. It is certain that if we do not plant seeds, we will never yield fruit. Our predecessors shared the gospel. If it stops with us, the future of the church is uncertain at best.
To move past shyness and become bold, I recommend reflecting on those you wish to emulate. I often think of Peter in these situations. Peter denied his friend Jesus three times as they led Jesus to the high priest. Immediately after Peter’s third denial, the rooster crowed and Jesus turned and looked at him. Peter then went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:54–62). I can only imagine the shame and heartbreak he felt for denying his friend. Instead of giving up, he became emboldened and more motivated than ever to speak about Jesus. Peter and the apostles went on to share the gospel despite persecution, beatings, imprisonment, and the threat of death. Like Peter, you can use moments of hesitation as motivation moving forward. The Bible tells us to “be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15). Take some time to prepare an answer. If you struggle, you can begin with John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” When the opportunity arises, you will be ready with a starting point.
Religious conversation can be delicate, but when approached with humility and sincerity, it has the potential to bear fruit. Fortunately, we live in a country where religion and speech are still free. Use that privilege to share your hope. I hope and pray this helps you develop the confidence you need.
God bless,
