How to Overcome Fear in Evangelism

If most of us were honest, we’d admit we enjoy evangelism the most when:

The person we plan to talk to is not at home.

God allows us to do the praying and someone else to do the talking.

The individual we are approaching has laryngitis and therefore it would be impolite to ask him about his relationship with Christ.

The waitress explains to our friend that she has a phone call just as we were preparing to approach spiritual things with her.

We absolutely unintentionally oversleep the morning of our breakfast appointment with a non-Christian.

The reason can be reduced to one word—fear. Absolutely paralyzing at times, fear does more to hinder our witness than any other single item. How does one overcome such a devastating problem? Can it actually be overcome? Does a person ever get to the point when fear in evangelism is a thing of the past? All of these questions are answered for us in the Bible. Before looking for the answers, however, two things must be kept in mind.

First, fear in evangelism is normal. It assures you that you are a normal human being. After all, Paul the apostle was afraid to evangelize. How does he admit to entering Corinth? He determined to be true to the message of Christ and the cross, but he admits to being with them “in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). In a city filled with such godlessness, impurity, and vice, such fear is certainly understandable.

Paul is not alone. Peter and John had equal reason to be afraid. In Acts 4, we have the first recorded persecution experienced by the early church. Commanded not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus (v. 18), what do Peter and John do—hover in a corner, pray for the rapture, or plead with God to “send Joe”? Not for a minute! Instead, we are taught that they laid their fears before God. “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29).

If people with that kind of commitment to the Savior are afraid, why would we not be? After all, fear in evangelism has nothing to do with the presence or lack of spirituality. It has everything to do with being human. We dare not assume that because we are afraid, there is something wrong with our walk with the Lord. How we deal with our fear may be affected by our walk with the Lord, but the presence of fear itself is never attributed in Scripture to a lack of
spiritual depth.

With that in mind, a second thing to remember is that the issue is overcoming fear, not removing fear. This side of heaven one will always have times of fear. Paul the apostle requested prayer that “utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:19). When Paul wrote these words he was writing them as a prisoner in Rome. When he was in prison he had time to think back on his evangelistic experiences. Paul had spent three years in Ephesus and God used him mightily. Not only had he established a strong
Christian church in Ephesus, he also sent out messengers through whom the whole province of Asia was evangelized. Churches were established in each of its major population centers.

Do you mean Paul the apostle is actually requesting prayer for boldness in evangelism after his extensive experience? Most certainly. He knew full well that once fear raises its ugly head and is dealt with, it is not gone forever—never having to be dealt with again. Instead of thinking in terms of never being afraid, Paul had to think in terms of overcoming fear each time it became a major obstacle to sharing the Gospel.

Moments of fear will always be there. Anyone who says they are never afraid to share Christ is most likely not being honest with you. Fear in evangelism is normal and natural. This side of heaven it will occur and reoccur. To say, “I don’t witness because I’m afraid” is an explanation. It dare not become an excuse. The issue is what we do with our fear.

Talk to God About Your Fear

How many times have you heard believers confess to one another, “My biggest problem in evangelism is fear. I am so afraid of being rejected”? The problem is that they often tell scores of believers their fear but too rarely confess it to Christ. The difference should be obvious. As helpful as telling others may be, there is no one on earth who can lend the aid He can. He ought to be the first we express the difficulty to, not the last.

As we do so, what we are specifically asking God for is courage or boldness. The courage that makes us go ahead despite our fears. The courage that makes us speak up, not clam up. The courage that produces the “I want to” evangelize not just the “I should.”

After all, as we observed, that is what the apostles did in Acts 4. That is what Paul does in Ephesians 6. In fact, what is striking about the Ephesians 6 passage is that when Paul discusses his fear in evangelism, he does it not to complain or make excuses but simply to ask them to pray for him. We must first and foremost talk to God about our fears, not just to people.

As we do so, we must pray in faith. Nowhere in Scripture does God promise to answer prayer. He only promises to answer the prayer of faith. As we ask God in faith to give boldness we can do so with excitement and expectation because the Person we are talking to is the One “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). If you ask God for boldness, He will provide.

Focus on What God Thinks of People, Not What People Think of You

Fear in evangelism often results in being too self-focused. Notice that I used the word self-focused, not selfish. Most people I’ve observed who want to talk to acquaintances about Christ are not selfish people. The very fact that they are concerned about somebody else’s eternal welfare and not just their own says so. Selfish people are content to go to heaven alone. Selfless people are not.

Self-focus is different. It results from worrying too much about what others might think of you if you share the Gospel with them. Questions such as, “Will they still be my friend?” “Will they think less of me?” “Will I lose respect?” hinder evangelism. Nobody in their right mind would enjoy any of these negative responses. Who wants to lose a friend, be thought less of, or lose respect? At the same time, “I” is at the center of all of these worries. Focusing on yourself becomes distracting at its least, defeating at its worst.

There are two words consistently used in Scripture that help refocus our attention. The first word is love. Biblically defined, it means to put the other person first, even if it means the sacrifice of ourselves. John 3:16 explains, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The proof of God’s love is that He put us first even though it meant the sacrifice of His own Son. The second is the word compassion. It means to be filled with pity. Matthew 9:36 tells us, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” Jesus Christ pitied non-Christians.

Both of these words switch the focus to how Christ feels about the lost, not how they feel about us. Furthermore, if Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice His life for us, we ought to be willing to sacrifice friendship, pride, or respect. In fact, it is only a matter of time before Chirstlike love and compassion overcome fear. Possible rejection takes a back seat to the real issue of salvation. Knowing that we have a message that will save them from eternal separation from God and give them life that has meaning, purpose, and fulfillment becomes the focus.

To be consistently bold in evangelism, we must focus on what God thinks of them, not what they think of us.

Nobody Overcomes Fear Without Evangelizing

To overcome fear, two items are absolutely essential: obedience and experience. Obedience is first, because common sense tells us without obedience there never is experience. It is simple obedience to a given command that leads to life experience.

Believers are individuals who have trusted Jesus Christ as their only way to heaven. Disciples are those who follow after Him and keep learning from Him. The first thing Jesus taught His disciples was evangelism. “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19). This was accomplished by teaching them obedience. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus commanded them to throw out the nets once more. They did, and caught a miraculous number of fish. It was after this illustration that He told them to become fishers of men. Like Peter, we must be willing to say, “at Your word I will let down the net” (Luke 5:5).

Another example of obedience is recorded in Acts chapter 4. The Sanhedrin threatened Peter and John and commanded them not to speak nor teach in the name of Jesus. The response of Peter and John was immediate. There was no, “Would you allow us a day or two to pray about it?” or “Your Highness, we will give what you are saying careful consideration.” Instead it was, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge” (v. 19). While the Sanhedrin was questioning the audacity of those who would so boldly mention the news of Christ, the apostles were questioning the audacity of those who would judge their orders to be above the Almighty’s. It is quite plain they felt they were under marching orders to which disobedience was not an option.

Again, in Acts chapter 5, the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin because they did not obey the command to stop preaching the name of Jesus. The high priest’s complaint against the apostles is clear. “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” (5:28). That has to be the ultimate guilt trip. Their complaint was, “You blew it on two counts. You did something you were not supposed to do and you are going to get us in trouble by your doing it.” The leadership was afraid that the people stirred up by the apostles’ teaching might take them to task for having condemned Jesus. Once more, though, Peter’s response was immediate, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (v. 29).

God honors obedience. The humble, dependent heart that says, “I’m scared—terrified would be a better word—and don’t even feel like I know how to evangelize, but you’re the Master. I’m the disciple. I’ll do it.” God then honors obedience and answers the cry of a contrite heart.

With that obedience comes much needed experience—the experience that plays a big part in overcoming fear. Believers are so often intimidated in evangelism by what they think will happen or what might happen, instead of what does happen. Experience teaches us how to prepare for reality, knowing full well what reality is—some could care less about the Savior and His message and some could not care more. Those who could not care more become so exciting to reach that one simply tolerates the closed doors en route to the open ones.

Experience brings skills in evangelism such as how to turn a conversation to spiritual things, how to answer questions and objections, and how to clearly and concisely present the Gospel—all of which are often elements of our fear. We all need experience for which there is no substitute. There are lessons in evangelism that can only be learned through face-to-face, eyeball to eyeball contact with the lost.

When these two are combined—obedience and experience—they play an immense role in overcoming fear. God honors obedience, and experience teaches us how to respond to and overcome the obstacles that intimidate us. It is therefore no wonder that those who consistently evangelize, although experiencing struggles in the area of fear, have also experienced the most victory. God is working as they are working. Obedience and experience cause boldness to take the upper hand.

Growing Christians Have Reason to Be Bolder in Evangelism

As we study the Scriptures, one learns very quickly that we cannot separate spiritual growth from evangelism. The closer we get to the heart of Christ, the closer we get to the people for whom He died. His heart bleeds for the lost. Mark 10:45 tells us, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Luke 19:10 explains, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Those who live close to Christ capture His heart for the lost. They bleed for the same people He bleeds for. In some way or another, whether by helping with an evangelistic outreach through the church, witnessing to a lost person, or working for an evangelistic association, they want to be used by God to populate heaven.

Christian growth and consistent living is attained by studying the Word. As 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” That means every time we study the Bible, God wants to take out of our lives what should not be there and put in what should be there. This is exactly what God does when Christians study the Word. This enables them to live consistent Christian lives. Does that mean they never fail? Not for a moment. Despite mistakes and failures in Christian living, any who know them well will testify to the fact that they are growing believers—ones who are consistently learning more about the Savior and applying it to their lives.

How does that affect boldness in evangelism? For the very practical reason that growing believers do not have to consider witnessing to a lost person thinking, “I sure hope he doesn’t find out how I live and how I treat my family. I have to be sure he doesn’t find out how dishonest I am in business.” Instead, they can walk up to a lost person knowing that they are attempting to live a consistent Christian life.

Paul the apostle verifies how such consistency provides boldness. In 1 Thessalonians 2, as he talks about his witness among the Thessalonians, he says, “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe” (v. 10). Paul’s life was such a contrast to the lives of those around him, he could boldly talk of his relationship to the Savior.

Suppose that had not been Paul’s character and conduct. How could he have faced a Thessalonian society with courage telling them of a Savior who could pardon their sins and save them from eternal punishment? The understandable “pressure” one feels by living a deceitful, dishonest, two-tongued, and two-sided life melts away courage.

That does not mean God cannot use a hypocrite to lead people to Christ. More than once a church leader has led people to Christ while living a sinful life in secret. There are two ways God can work—through us or in spite of us. When He uses such people He is working in spite of them more than through them. As a speaker once said, “God sometimes uses a crooked arrow to hit His mark.” They probably would admit though that they do not experience the
consistent courage that one who is walking in step with the Savior experiences.

Boldness in evangelism is parallel to our growth as a Christian. As our walk with Christ increases, so does our boldness. When one is in love with the Savior, one’s foremost desire is to honor Him. What others think of us matters little. Our desire to honor God could not matter more.