There are common obstacles that hinder fruitfulness in evangelism. Over the next two days, we will explore five of them, which will encourage you to evangelize by letting go of heavy and unnecessary burdens.

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” — Mark 16:17-18

In many churches, faced with such a verse, there is much doubt. In fact, doubt has turned into unbelief. People no longer believe.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” — James 1:5-8

The Bible shows us that without faith it is impossible to bear fruit. That’s why it is absolutely essential to walk in faith before going out to evangelize. You must not evangelize hoping that God might do something, thinking that maybe something will happen. You must proclaim the Gospel believing that God is behind His Word to fulfill it. The Bible says:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8

For 2000 years, God has been saving souls every year in every part of the world. People say their region is too hard, but Jesus Christ has not changed in 2000 years, and His power is still the same to save, to deliver, and to heal!

The Holy Spirit is also the same, and His power to convict hearts has not changed! It is just the faith of believers that needs to be renewed and strengthened! So here are some major obstacles to proclaiming the Gospel:

They Lack Boldness and Are Afraid

God has not given us a spirit of fear! Below is a powerful testimony that I pray God would one day say of us:

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.” — Revelation 12:11

What a declaration! They were not afraid to die!

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” — Romans 8:15-17

Proclaiming the Gospel is a suffering for the flesh, but it is also how our inheritance is revealed: the sovereign power of God within us and our spirit crying out: “Abba, Father, I trust in you!”

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength…” — Ephesians 1:18-19

Before Goliath, David had every reason to be afraid. What he did was truly foolish in the eyes of man. He could have said anything to justify not going to kill Goliath. Was David the only one who could have killed Goliath?

NO! It could have been anyone—anyone who had faith in God! He could have recounted all the battles the people had already lost, said he was too young, too small, unprepared. BUT if he had done that, he would have remained on the sidelines with the thousands of unbelievers who were just reasoning things out!

Reasoning numbs us, reasoning sidelines us. Maybe you say to yourself: “Maybe God can use me!” or “I’ll try.” But instead say: “God WILL use me!” Let’s have HIGH thoughts. Let’s think higher! David chose to believe in God despite the crowd of unbelieving believers. We do our part, and God will do His part. David threw a stone, and God added His power to it.

People Don’t Believe Because They Think According to Their Own Thoughts.

God never asked us to proclaim the Gospel in our own strength. Jesus Himself said, “God has anointed me to preach…” It is God who anoints—it is His anointing.

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” — Acts 10:38

The same anointing that was upon Jesus is available to us when we walk in obedience.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.” — Isaiah 55:8-13

God is always behind His Word to fulfill it. As you go out to proclaim the Gospel, God promises in verse 12 a covering of joy and peace from above. Have you ever experienced the joy of proclaiming the Gospel? God said that proclaiming the Gospel would bring us joy. The earth waits in eager expectation for your revelation…

This text is an excerpt from the book “365 DAYS AT THE MASTER’S FEET” written by several French-speaking authors, with the main contributor being Jérémy Sourdril.

We invite you to read the next article: “WHO WILL WIN? YOUR FLESH OR YOUR SPIRIT?”

EVANGELISM. EVANGELISM. EVANGELISM. EVANGELISM. EVANGELISM IS.