Relate ~ Deflate ~ Infiltrate ~

Acts 22:1-15 (New International Version)
1"Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense." 2When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: 3"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 6"About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' 8" 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. " 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 9My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10"'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. "'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' 11My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me. 12"A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14"Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

Relate ~ Deflate ~ Infiltrate:
When Paul addressed the people he always tried to establish common ground with the people before he launched a full scale defense of Christianity. When you witness for Christ, first identify yourself with your audience. They are much more likely to listen if they feel a common bond with you. After Paul gained this common ground, he gave his personal testimony. Sound reasoning is good, but it is also important to simply share what Christ has done in your life. We can never underestimate the power of experience. I believe that is why GOD allows us to experience heartache, hurt and maybe shame for some of the thing we have been involved in. God can take all of these dark experiences and turn them into a light for him. When GOD delivers you from darkness into HIS marvelous light, you want everyone around you to have the light. Yes, it is as easy as turning on the light switch. Turn on your faith. But no matter how we present the message, not everyone will accept it, as Paul knew. We must faithfully and responsibly present the Good News and leave the result to GOD.

I call this process; Relate – Deflate – Infiltrate! Relate to the person you are witnessing to(common ground), allow yourself to deflate (It’s not all about you) so that GOD can infiltrate and do the work necessary to bring salvation and healing to the soul.

Be a witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. You may be the only JESUS some will see.

Blessings on your day :)