Evangelism: Does God want us to be Passive or Aggressive?

This question was posed to me by a friend and so of course, I had to hit the Bible because I didn’t want to go strictly off of opinion.

I found two core verses on this subject that, one could argue, finds both sides to be correct.


Just based on those two, and I know there are more, I think the resolution isn't about being passive or aggressive (because history has shown how Holy Wars in several religions have been waged due to degree of interpretation) but rather about being ready and equipped to explain the beauty and fullness of having a relationship with God.

Many of the verses in the bible about being "aggressive" relate not to our push for evangelism but rather to our own spiritual war against the devil. Examples: Ephesians 6:11 (Armor of God), Revelations 3:15-17 (be hot or cold, not lukewarm). These passages, as well as others, speak to the fact that we need to be on our grind as Christians and live aggressively for Him.  

Paul, one example of the most evangelical men of God in the Bible, actually used the concept of Matthew 10:14-15 about being passive evangelists. In Acts 13: 46-52, there is the story of how the Jews (unbelievers) did not want to listen to what Paul had to say so he said his piece, shook his feet of the dust of the town and rolled out. Basically, wherever God lead him, Paul would roll up, hit the areas that needed the message, and preach it. If they accepted, he would stay and establish the corporate business model of church; and if not, he'd shake his feet and roll out. He didn't say words of condemnation until after they refused his words and he knew they were they were a lost cause.

Now, as far as whether Jesus was passive or aggressive, I think John 3:17 answers that. God says that Jesus came not to condemn but to save.

Our “fire” and “religious fervor” should be internal and the example we set should be external.

What do you think?


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Joey Price is the bass player and lead contact representative for the band ACross Life. To learn more about his ministry check out http://www.acrosslife.com.