The Spirit Persuades and Convicts

Bill Bright

“We know these things because God has revealed them to us by His Spirit ...” (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Many years ago, I was a counselor at one of Billy Graham's Los Angeles crusades held in the Hollywood Bowl. At the end of the meeting, another counselor brought a man to me who was an engineer. The engineer stated that if I could answer his questions, he would become a Christian. I asked him if he wanted to know Christ. He said he did. I suggested that he pray and receive Christ and then we would discuss his questions. He agreed. After we prayed, I asked to hear his questions. He looked at me with a smile and said, "I don't have any questions. They are all answered."

I have never led anyone to Christ, and I never will. It is the Holy Spirit who is responsible for producing fruit. We simply take the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results to God.

There is a great misconception about evangelism: People believe it has something to do with winning an argument. We often worry about how we can persuade a nonbeliever to be saved from his sin. But no one is ever debated into the kingdom of God. It is our role to gently deliver the message. It is the Holy Spirit who does the persuading. He works in the hearts and minds of the people to convict them of the truth.

We simply need to take God at His Word that the Spirit will accomplish His work in the hearts and minds of those to whom we witness.

Your View of God Really Matters ...

When talking with people about Jesus, ask God for discernment about what the person's real need is. Don't argue with them. Just give them the opportunity to say "Yes" to Jesus.


Because God is all-powerful,
He can help me with anything.


Learn more about God’s character at Discover God, by Bright Media Foundation, an affiliate of Cru.

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Bright Media Foundation is an affiliate of Cru.

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