Fear of Witnessing
"And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:18).
Every Christian knows he or she should witness for Christ, but most are very reluctant to speak in His name. The most obvious reason is fear. More common than fear of physical persecution or personal harm, however, is fear of ridicule or loss of prestige or position.
One of the saddest rebukes that could come to a Christian is the indictment lodged against those believers who, because of their high position, refused to take an open stand for Christ: “Among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).
May God give us the courage of Paul. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ...” (Romans 1:16).
- excerpts from Days of Praise devotional, Institute for Creation Research
