By Larry Rosenbaum
We are in a spiritual battle, and Satan will do anything he can to keep us from witnessing and to destroy our street witnessing teams. “We are not ignorant of Satan’s devices.” One thing Satan will do is get us discouraged or depressed. Perhaps we aren’t seeing as many results on the street as we would like. Perhaps someone who came to Christ and was growing in the Lord suddenly backslides. Satan may attack you or others in your group with personal problems, such as financial problems or sickness. Division is another tool of the enemy. A witnessing team, like a church, may split apart due to differences in methodology or doctrine.
Other Christians may say that your methods are wrong, that you are “turning people off” to God`s Word. Unbelievers, as we would expect, may not want us to witness publicly for the Lord. It causes them to be convicted of their sin, ruins their fun and makes them feel uncomfortable. They may yell at us, tear up our tracts, try to ignore us, or criticize us. Sometimes they will misuse Bible verses such as “don’t do your alms before men” or “judge not.” Some unbelievers may threaten us with violence, or even organize to get us off the streets.
In the fourteen years I have been involved in street witnessing with thousands of other Christians, I have never seen anyone injured in any serious way. San Francisco contains an unusually large number of people who oppose God`s Word. People have been slapped, spit upon and hit. Proverbs 15:1 says, “a soft answer turns away wrath.” Those few who were hit often were not using much wisdom in the things they said to angry people. We have seen some organized opposition to our witnessing from the large homosexual community. Opposition can also come from the police and legal system. Often, the police are responding to complaints from citizens.
How do we deal with these attacks? Let me give four steps to use:
1. Remember that tribulation is an integral part of the Christian life. Read 2 Cor. 11 about the things Paul went through‑‑ beatings, shipwreck, perils by his own countrymen, perils by the heathen, perils by false brethren.
2. Recognize the source of these attacks ‑ Satan.
3. Pray both individually and with other Christians. Come against Satan in Jesus’ name. Ask the Lord for wisdom (James 1) and deliverance. Fasting is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare, as is praise and worship. “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thess. 5:18). Remember that Satan can do nothing without God’s permission (Job 1). Even if you do not understand at the time, God has a purpose in each trial, to strengthen your faith (Romans 5:1‑5; James 1, 4:6‑10).
4. Make a commitment to the Lord to continue witnessing despite all attacks. As much as is possible, continue witnessing with your team (as many as show up) every week, no matter how you feel or what the weather is like (unless it is so bad that nobody will be on the streets). Satan’s purpose in attacking you is to persuade you to give up. Once he knows you aren’t going to stop, he will have to try something else. Focus on the Lord, His love and His strength, not on your circumstances, Satan, or your own personal weaknesses.
In dealing with attacks from within your witnessing team, the key is to respond in love and humility. If God has put you in leadership, He will establish and maintain your authority. Don’t be a lord over others. Be a servant. As problems arise in your group, take them to God in prayer. Pray for the other members of your witnessing team. Satan will be attacking them as well as you. Phone them, invite them to dinner, and encourage them in their spiritual growth. Avoid things that make for disunity, especially divisive arguments about doctrines that are not central to salvation. Don’t expect everyone to witness in the same way.
God may direct one person to preach boldly about God’s righteous standards and our sinful condition. He may lead another person to witness gently, establishing friendships with people and gradually sharing about Christ. You may need to instruct the bold preacher not to be unnecessarily offensive and harsh, or the gentle witnesser not to compromise the truth. But we need to be open to God’s Spirit leading people in ways we do not understand, and also be patient with our Christian brethren, realizing that change is usually a slow process. On rare occasions, you may need to remove someone from your witnessing team who consistently refuses to submit to leadership, is divisive, or seriously hinders your work in some other way. Most of the Christians who join your witnessing team are there because they love God and want to serve Him, and they will support you in your efforts to work out any problem that arises in the team.
While you are on the streets, you may meet Christians who criticize you, usually for your methods. Again, it is important to respond in love and humility. These Christians may never have seen a street preacher before. We need to instruct them in meekness concerning what the Bible says about witnessing. If they want to argue with you about some doctrine not essential to salvation, explain to them that you are on the streets to witness to the lost, not to argue doctrine. Don’t spend a lot of time with a Christian unless he needs and responds to your counsel and encouragement.
In San Francisco, we have experienced a lot of opposition, probably much more than you are likely to experience in your community. San Francisco has a reputation as a center of various types of immorality. Everyone does what is right in his own eyes, and there is no consensus as to what is right or wrong. Many people come to San Francisco to get away from God and Christian morality, to escape from the “Bible belt.” San Francisco also has a very large and politically influential homosexual community, many of whom are quite hostile to Christianity. They have formed “gay churches” that say homosexuality is not a sin.
When we first started witnessing in the homosexual neighborhoods, we faced a great deal of opposition. People threatened us, harassed us, even organized special committees to drive us off the street. The homosexual papers called us “anti‑ gay bigots” and many worse things. Several times, small groups of Christians were surrounded by angry mobs. In each situation, God protected us and showed us what to do.
During our first SOS‑San Francisco outreach in 1980, about fifty Christians were surrounded by several hundred angry homosexuals on Castro Street, the center of militant homosexuality in San Francisco. We were worshiping the Lord and God showed us to keep worshiping Him, as a witness to the people who were mocking us. After about an hour, we were able to leave peacefully. Nobody was hurt.
The next year, a massive effort was made by the homosexual leaders to stop the work of our ministry. Several thousand people came against about five hundred Christians at one of our rallies. But God had prepared us for the opposition. He instructed us to do nothing but worship Him, and not to respond to their attacks. For two hours, we worshiped God, singing a few choruses over and over. Those who were opposing blew whistles in our ears, tore up tracts and Bibles, even tried to destroy the PA system.
The police were there with riot gear and were ready to intervene. Finally, we began to sing “Oh, the blood of Jesus.” As we sang that song, the whistle noise died down. People started to walk away. The officer in charge of the riot squad said, “Keep singing that song. It’s changing things.” Nobody was hurt that day. Some of those who had opposed us told us later that they were ashamed of their activities.
The organization that led the opposition was torn apart by division the next year, and has stopped fighting our work. Since that time, we have experienced no organized opposition on the streets of San Francisco, even in the homosexual neighborhoods.
As Christians, we should be willing to die, if necessary, for Jesus Christ. One day we may see martyrdom in this country. Right now, most persecution is mild. What we went through was a bit scary, but nobody was hurt. Unfortunately, even the possibility of violence is enough to scare off most Christians in this country. Satan will use our fears to keep us from witnessing. There is an old saying that “a coward dies a thousand deaths, a hero only one.”
A while back, a man threatened to burn down our ministry house. At first, I was fearful, but as I prayed God gave me perfect peace in the matter. Since then, he made threats to other Christians, but never carried them out. However, he succeeded in scaring off some of our workers, and they never came out witnessing again. We need to remember that our life is not our own; we belong to Christ. I would rather die preaching God`s Word than live in constant fear. God wants to take away our fears and give us boldness to continue witnessing for Him. “Perfect love casts out fear”‑‑love for God and love for the lost.
Usually, we will find the greatest opposition when we first start witnessing in a certain neighborhood. Satan will fight to keep the people in that area under his control. People may get upset, or think what you are doing is illegal since they’ve never seen anyone witness there before. The police may give you trouble, especially if they get complaints. Like the children of Israel entering the promised land, we need to fight (with spiritual weapons) to gain ground for Jesus Christ. When we faced great opposition in the homosexual neighborhoods, God showed us that our weapons are praise, worship, prayer, love, and humility. There is no way Satan can fight against these weapons.
The Bible says in Romans 13 that the police are ordained of God to protect those who do good and to punish evildoers. If someone persists in harassing Christians, you may need to call the police or even get a restraining order against the person. Usually, a warning from a policeman is sufficient to end harassment.
We need to know our rights under the law. Take Him To The Streets has an excellent chapter on street preaching legalities. Paul made use of his legal rights several times, such as when he appealed as a Roman citizen to Caesar. Even if the law did not support our right to preach the gospel, “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). We should not be arrogant in demanding our rights, but act in humility and with respect towards those in authority. “The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God” (James 1:20).
If you run into opposition from a policeman, write down his name and badge number. The next day call the police captain, the city attorney or the chief of police. Explain to him what you are doing, and how you believe you are acting within your First Amendment rights. If you can’t handle the situation over the phone, arrange an appointment. If possible, bring a Christian lawyer with you, or have him write a letter for you. Usually, this will take care of the problem.
In rare instances you may need to go to court. Get a lawyer‑‑preferably Christian‑‑and talk with him before doing anything. Don’t be quick to get involved in legal controversy, as it will distract you from the work of preaching God`s Word. Use it only as a last resort. But God may want you to go to court in order to open up your city to the preaching of the gospel for all Christians. If you do, the legal precedents are clear about our rights to preach, assemble, and distribute literature in public places and you will eventually win.
Let me give a word of caution: If you are persecuted, make sure it is for Christ, not for your wrongdoing. If you call people names, or yell in their ear, you can expect them to be angry. Make sure peoples` criticism of you is not justified.
Dealing with Rejection
One thing that is absolutely certain whenever you preach is that you will face rejection. Many people will not welcome your witness. When they hear about Jesus, the Holy Spirit starts convicting them of sins. If they are not willing to repent at that time, this will make them feel uncomfortable and often they will take it out on you. “Get away, you Jesus freak. Stop trying to put a guilt trip on me.” They are trying to get around the discomfort they are feeling and at the same time, Satan is using them to discourage you from witnessing.
Most of us are insecure. We actively seek the approval of others. We actively avoid rejection. We have heard that these people are not rejecting us, they are rejecting the Lord. This is true. Nonetheless, we don’t like it when people reject us or our Lord. Many Christians start to witness actively for the Lord, but the repeated rejection they experience gradually takes its toll on them. Before long, they find they just don’t want to go witnessing any more. They know they should witness. They feel guilty about not witnessing. But they won`t do it.
The continued rejection and the subtle attacks of Satan have accomplished their purpose. We feel like we`re spoiling people`s fun, we`re pushing our trip on them, we`re witnessing the wrong way, these people don`t want to hear anyway, or they`ve already heard enough and we should just pray for them. Satan will give us a thousand reasons to stop witnessing.
We have all heard that God has a plan for our lives. Satan also has a plan for our lives. His plan has two parts: 1) to keep us from getting saved and 2) having failed at that, to keep us from leading others to Christ. He has two ways of accomplishing his second purpose: 1) to cause us to lead defeated lives so we will feel unworthy of witnessing and 2) to give us various excuses for not witnessing. It is evident that Satan has been very successful at accomplishing this second purpose.
God`s desire for us, the church, is that we be an overcoming army. We need to be aware of the enemy`s tactics and not be overcome by them. We need to remember that we are in a war, that our goal is to rescue those who have been held captive by the enemy and bring them into God`s kingdom. We must be strong in the Lord. Sure, it hurts to be rejected and insulted. But we can rejoice that we are partakers of Christ`s sufferings. He was insulted. He was misunderstood. Even Peter tried to dissuade Him from going to the cross. Our Christian brethren may try to persuade us not to obey Christ`s commission to take His Word into all the world. But God will be with us, and strengthen us, as we take a stand for Him despite all opposition
Dealing with Discouragement
Everyone who is involved in Christian ministry will experience times of discouragement. After Elijah`s great victory over the prophets of Baal, he ran into the wilderness after being threatened by Jezebel. He felt that he was the only one left who was faithful to God, but God assured him that he had 7000 left who had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18).
The ministry of Paul the apostle had its moments of victory, but largely it was one of tremendous suffering and opposition. He was beaten at least eight times, stoned, shipwrecked, and spent many years in prison. Other Christians questioned his apostleship and several of his closest friends deserted him. When Paul and Silas were jailed at Philippi, at midnight they were singing praises to God. Paul wrote most of his epistles from jail, yet they are filled with joy and encouragement. At the end of his life, Paul wrote from prison, “At my first defense, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (2 Tim. 4:16‑17).
The Bible promises us that if we are to serve God we will suffer persecution, afflictions and tribulations. We will be rejected by the world and often also by other Christians. There will be times when we won`t understand why God does something or doesn`t answer some prayer. Peter writes us, “Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ`s sufferings” (1 Peter 4:12‑13).
Many American Christians have been taught, and come to expect, that the Christian life will be easy, that problems should be small and easily overcome through faith in Christ. When persecution comes from preaching, they think they must be outside God`s will so they stop witnessing. “Yes and all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
True disciples of Christ have always known that the Christian life is not easy. In fact, it is very hard. It will include much persecution, afflictions and suffering. There will be times of disappointments and discouragement. Yet we must persevere in the work God has called us to do.
Here are some things that will help you deal with discouragement:
1. Know what God has called you to do. Seek God in prayer and His Word. Fast and pray for direction. Once you know what God wants you to do, continue to fulfill that vision regardless of circumstances
2. Learn to praise God in all circumstances. “A merry heart does good like a medicine” (Prov. 17:22). Remember how Paul and Silas were in prison singing praise to God when the earthquake came.
3. Avoid “formula Christianity.” Every Christian who sings praises at midnight in a prison won`t be delivered by an earthquake. When we expect God to act according to our formulas, we set ourselves up for disappointment. We need to consider God`s promises in context and in light of His entire Word.
4. Expect hardships, disappointments and persecutions. God promises that we will experience them. As Peter said, don`t be surprised when they occur.
5. Avoid self‑pity. Get involved in serving and praying for others. At their worst, our problems are small compared to those of the unsaved. We have much to thank God for. His greatest gift to us, of course, is our salvation.
6. Resist the devil. Discouragement is one of Satan`s favorite tools. He tells us, as I`m sure he told the apostle Paul, that our work is in vain. Remember that Satan is a liar.
7. Remember our hope in Christ. Throughout history, godly people have realized that their hope is in the return of Christ and our living forever with Him. People may laugh about “pie in the sky when you die” but we know that our “blessed hope” is a sure one. Without it, there is no reason to endure the persecutions and sufferings we experience serving Christ.
Today, American Christians find that they can have a pretty comfortable life, without persecution and not too many afflictions, by not witnessing for Christ or by watering down the gospel so it doesn`t offend anyone. Many have fallen for this temptation. Don`t let it happen to you.
“Endure hardship, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man who wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The farmer who labors should be the first to partake of the fruits.” (2 Tim. 2:3‑7)
