Long post incoming!!

What is a good strategy to be a light unto non-believers?

Christians, Torah keepers, and believers alike are sometimes seen in a bad light because of our spreading the truth. We may be perceived as pushy, disrespectful, hostile, or not accepting. Of course, it is a very fruitful and loving act to have good intentions and try to open the eyes of others, so perhaps there's an approach that will better help them see us that way, as our actions can influence how they see our beliefs and, most importantly, the Father.

Regardless of belief system, most if not all people share a desire to be understood. In this time and age especially, personal beliefs make up a fragile and sensitive subject. It's a very personal thing that people hold dearly and passionately to themselves. When outsiders feel that that part of them has been violated or disrespected, it will push them away, which is the opposite of what we want. Alienating others means alienating ourselves. Before we share our perspective with non-believers, it's important that they feel their own beliefs are respected, and that we won't judge them for being what they are, or for the choices they make, even if they're wrong. After all, judging is the role of the Father only.

Pride can be a stumbling block when it comes to preaching. I like to keep in mind that there are generally so many people who walk around thinking that they're the ones who know the real "truth" and that everyone else is blind; if that's the case, then who am I to think I know what's best? I can't see humanity getting very far in learning the real truth if everyone lives that way. Beliefs would not easily shift. And since there's only one truth out there, that leaves so many other unchanging false beliefs out there. This isn't to say that we're wrong...and even if we know with all entirety that we're right, the chances are so slim that we're 100 percent right in everything, which is one reason why humility and open-mindedness are so important.

If you and a non-believer are comfortable with and accepting of each other, a good way to help them may be to request a civilized debate or a respectful controversial discussion where it's okay for either side to share his or her thoughts and to agree to disagree. If that person is not open to that or anything related to sharing perspectives, I think it would be wise to respect that and not to force anything upon them. We can do our part, but we simply can't change them.

There are all those vegans trying to convince people to eat like them, for example. The way that feels to us is probably similar to how non-believers feel when we try to get them to believe the way we do. Perhaps non-believers may feel even worse, because changing your diet is one thing, but changing your beliefs and lifestyle (including your diet, since we eat clean) is a whole other thing.

Anyway, these are all just my own personal thoughts. Have you ever tried to open someone's eyes? How did it go? What approach do you take when you want to shed light?

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this!

#spreadtheword #preachthegospel #loveyourneighbor #shineyourlight #kindness