EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Sean Cavender | 1987-2023
Jesus stated that the devil is the father and source of lies and the truth could not be found in anything the devil says (John 8:44). Satan speaks of his own authority and refuses to submit to the rule of God. The devil has always been a liar, slanderer, and accuser against the people of God, from the very beginning when he lied to Eve, to the time that he slandered Job’s good name and accused God of protecting Job, to his constant work against Christians today (1 Peter 5:8).
When it comes to the kingdom of God, Satan wants to see it destroyed. He will try his best to get Christians to quit working for the cause of Christ. If he can stunt the growth and effectiveness of the church then he will be pleased with his progress. The devil has many lies about a vast number of subjects, but perhaps with his progress. The devil has many lies about a vast number of subjects, but perhaps one of the most dangerous set of lies that he has is in regard to evangelism. Sadly, many Christians have a lackluster approach to evangelism. Or, in an opposite extreme, Christians evangelize using unscriptural means and methods. Either way, it is due to the influence of Satan.
“Times have changed.”
Perhaps this is Satan’s most used and most believed lie. Many people think back to the “gold ‘ole days” to when “times were better and times were different.” This general philosophy of thinking that times have changed is not limited to the religious realm, which is what makes it such a believable lie.
This lie has caused many people to give up on efforts of the Lord’s church to teach, evangelize, and plant the seed in the hearts of men. Brethren will start saying, “times are different now … we must have too much to compete with.” We think of the influence of TV, sports, work, school, and family events. “People are just busier than they have ever been. Times have changed,” we are told.
When has there ever been a time that leisure, entertainment, recreation, family, work, and education have never been around? These influences have always been around!
One problem that has not changed is the problem of sin. Consider the immorality of the Gentiles while reading Romans 1:26-32. Homosexuality, fornication, covetousness, envy, murder, strife, whispering, backbiting, hating God, and disobedience to parents all are mentioned. It almost sounds as if we turned on the evening news in 21st century America. Are times really all that different? Sin is still prevalent in the lives of men and it will continue to bring folks to eternal damnation.
Realizing the great problem of sin ought to motivate us to preach with more zeal and affection. The sad reality is it’s not the times that have changed, but it’s that Christians have changed. Too many Christians have been swept away by the influence of Satan. Too many Christians are enthralled with the world of television, sports, school, and family. They have lost their commitment unto the Lord of hosts. Zeal that once ignited churches to influence a community has been extinguished.
Instead of accepting Satan’s lie that “times have changed” let’s begin taking the message of change and repentance to the lost world around us (Matthew 3:8; 4:17)!
“Gospel meetings will NOT work.”
There seems to be a growing attitude that gospel meetings are antiquated and ineffective today. This life of the devil’s usually finds great company with the lie that “times have changed.” Often in times of despair, brethren will think back to the days when people would attend gospel meetings, and several baptisms might occur as a result of those meetings. This goes back to some of the same problems as we have already identified. Who has changed: the world or Christian’s attitudes?
There once was a time when Christians would attend a gospel meeting for two weeks or more to listen to an hour long (if not longer) sermon. Would Christians do that today? Perhaps we have lost confidence in the preaching of the gospel!
A big indication that this is a lie from the devil is that it uses his favorite three letter word, the word “not.” Just as the devil told Eve a lie and added the word “not” to tempt her to sin, the devil wants us to accept this falsehood. If you take out the word “not” then the truth is revealed: gospel meetings will work!
Gospel meetings remain an opportune time to teach someone the gospel. It is through the instruction from God’s word that faith is formed in the hearts and minds of alien sinners (Romans 10:17). Gospel meetings can still be effective today, but we need Christians to make a commitment to this opportunity to teach lost souls. Do not believe Satan’s lie. The problem is not in the meetings, but the problem may lie in us and our attitude.
“They’ll never obey the gospel.”
When we meet people that are not Christians we quickly realize just how pitiful their lives are without the blessing of salvation. Many are ruined by sin, and it is obvious to us. Sometimes people’s lives are in such a wretched stated that we begin to think they would never take the time to listen to us teach them, much less actually repent and obey the gospel.
The Scriptures are full of wonderful examples of those who were in some dire situation who did, in fact, repent of sin. The woman at the well had been married a number of times, yet she believed Christ (John 4:16-18, 28-30). Cornelius was a captain in the armies of Rome and he was a Gentile, yet he obeyed the gospel of Christ (Acts 10:47-48). One of the greatest antagonists against the Lord’s church was the apostle Paul. He was a blasphemer before his obedience to Christ. Yet, even he changed his life!
Imagine the great effect of just these examples. The woman at the well went and immediately told others of her conversation with the Christ. Cornelius’ household also was converted to the Lord. And the great effect that the apostle Paul had in his preaching and travels so impacted the early church.
Perhaps if we speak to that person we are just so certain “will never obey the gospel,” we would end up being surprised. If that person did obey the gospel of Christ, then just image the effect that they might have upon others (friends and family). How zealous might they be to teach others? Would you become more zealous and encouraged to engage in conversations about the forgiveness of sins through Jesus? We should never be ashamed of the gospel that has the power to save men’s souls (Romans 1:16).
“You must be their friend first.”
This is a lie that seems to be catching on like wildfire among several folks. It is argued to have any success in teaching your neighbors the gospel then you must first become their friend. This is greatly influenced by the mindset of the social gospel. It is thought that a friendship must first be formed before someone will listen to us teach them the gospel.
This is not to suggest being unfriendly or a poor neighbor. However, we must ask what your actions reveal about you. Are you really concerned about a person’s soul or are you concerned about having a friend to go out with? Are you marketing the gospel? Do you really love your neighbor as yourself? Paul did not believe this lie of Satan’s. He went into the city of Athens, noting their blatant involvement with idolatry, and began preaching a message of repentance (Acts 17:16-30).
Paul did not attend every assembly for an idol. Neither do we need to attend any denominational meetings to try and get others to come to our assemblies. Paul did not befriend the religious leaders in Athens to be accepted in the community. The apostle preached the gospel and when he did some believed (Acts 17:34).
Imagine the effectiveness of simply preaching the gospel of grace. It will interest those with good and honest hearts. We should give up on any man-made ploy and tactic to try to disguise the preaching of the gospel. If we try to disguise the gospel under the cloak of friendship then what else will we be willing to disguise about the gospel?
Conclusion
We need to dedicate ourselves to the preaching of the gospel. Let us not be gullible to believe the lies and deceptions of the devil, but let us be ready to combat him. We may become effective teachers in the service of the kingdom once we are no longer handicapped by these lies. Just think about how effective the church might be in your community if we all commit ourselves to the work of the Lord!
[via Meditate On These Things, December 2013]
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GROW magazine | July 2026 PDF
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