“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV

Many people oppose the gospel of Jesus Christ on the grounds that Christians supposedly can’t prove God’s existence. They call us fools and tell us that we believe in fairytales while boasting about how much they think they have discovered about life and the universe through science. But what they fail to understand is that the proof doesn’t necessarily have to come packaged in scientific argumentation; rather, it is disclosed in the power of God to transform hearts. And a transformed heart is no fairytale at all!

It troubles me when I see Christians engage in heated debates with unbelievers as both sides try to prove that they are smarter than the other.  Yet it disturbs me even more when I see Christians insult those who oppose the Faith. For by doing this they push unbelievers further away from the truth and shame our Lord. It’s not our responsibility to convert hearts. That work belongs to the Holy Spirit.  Nevertheless, it is our role to walk with Jesus, and thus allow His power to do its good work in and through us, so that we can set an example of what it means to be transformed in Christ. But all too often we let pride stand in the way of this process and hinder the work of God.

Is it really that unbearable to be referred to as foolish for believing in Jesus Christ?  Do we really need to retaliate when we are insulted by unbelievers for believing in God?  Absolutely not!  Yet I have seen this kind of thing happen time and time again.  In fact, some people even go so far as to justify behaving in this way by saying that they are defending the truth.  But are they not merely avenging the ego instead?

Listen, Jesus was mocked and ridiculed many times throughout His life on earth; yet He never spoke a careless word or lashed out at anyone out of retaliation.  Granted, there were times when He expressed anger towards others, but His anger was just in that it was founded on the truth and came from a heart that was filled with love for their souls.  Not a prideful spirit.

Indeed, Jesus always manifested true humility of spirit in His interactions with others. He didn’t fight with or insult those who didn’t agree with Him; rather, He sought to meet their needs on every level–without compromising the integrity of the truth for which He stood. Why is it so hard for us to do the same? Why should we feel that we have to prove something for which there is already plenty of proof in the new life that Jesus Christ has given to us?  Then again, have we really received the new life?  Judging by the words and actions of some professed Christians who try to argue their way into the hearts of unbelievers, it is evident that their hearts are not fully converted.  In other words, while they try to push Jesus onto others through cunning argumentation and ad hominem attacks, they prove that they haven’t allowed Jesus to make His way into their own hearts.

Do you really want to encourage unbelievers to believe in Jesus Christ? If so, you won’t do it by entering into heated debates with them, or by insulting them, but by showing them what Jesus looks like. We will accomplish far more in compelling unbelievers to take the gospel more seriously by disclosing the character of Christ in our words and actions than we would if we were to argue and debate with them. With that said, don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good; and you will produce much fruit to the glory and honor of God.