Teach As They Are Able To Bear
Mark 4:33: "Jesus taught as they were able to bear."
To me, this is one of those passages with widespread significance in many areas of teaching, whether in our classes at the building, at home with our families, or our own private studies. It gives us counsel in how to adapt our message to the student's knowledge and receptiveness. There is tremendous significance for us in the area of evangelism also.
Two original words that are in the short phrase, "able to bear" literally mean the "possibility to understand." There is a passage found in 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 that lays the foundation of the counsel found in verse 14: "The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God because they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." One of the words used in the Mark passage is also used here, the word for "possibility." This means there are definitely people outside of Christ who cannot hear and receive the truth. Our ability to have our spiritual senses tuned to these folks will greatly enhance our effectiveness in evangelism.
When we run across someone that we have offered the Gospel to sense by their "no" answer that they really mean "no," then it is critical for us to leave them alone with the Bible study offer. Sometimes someone says "no" to us, and if we're close enough to them and won't run them off by asking them a few more questions, than it may be well advised to continue. However, to those that you understand to really mean "no, get away from me", you must do as they say—leave them alone! I have seen and heard of so many that have continued to press the person and all they do is make them upset or even angry enough to not want to be around us any more.
There are at least two major errors in this approach:
1. They said "no" because they are not interested at this point in time. Since they are not interested, they do not have the ability to "bear" what you are pushing on them. Did the wisdom of the Holy Spirit now become null and void? Do you think that by pressing them it will turn them from a "no" to a "yes?" Operating like this says you are the power and you possess the ability to turn someone spiritually to faith if you "hammer" them enough! It is my understanding that Romans 10:16 says faith comes from hearing the word of God, not from a badgering friend. The Holy Spirit said that the natural person, the non-seeker, cannot receive the things of God due to his mindset. This passage does not receive asterisks because they are your friend, your family member, your coworker, etc. Even if you lovingly keep on pressing them, what you want for them makes no difference in their lives until they want it. Be kind, be gentle, use salt-seasoned speech and listen to them; pushing your desire on them only does harm to any future opportunity that your godly life lived in front of them can accomplish. Remember that Jesus said that when He is lifted up, He will "draw" all men unto Him. He won't taser them, hogtie them, drag them or denounce their free will and force them to Himself. We will be well served to follow the Savior's example in dealing with the rich young ruler and He let him go.
2. So often when we are told "no," we begin to defend ourselves. This is the point where we drift off track, making it about our evangelistic attempt "gone wrong" and not about the soul of the person we approached. I heard someone tell me their response to a person that rejected their offer and it went something like this:
"Well, I just wanted you to have what I have but if you can't see that then you're making your own bed to lie in." Not too much thought has to be utilized to see how awful this response was. Let me share mine with you. First, it was totally a defense of self. Once "self" didn't solicit the response wanted, he went into a totally defensive posture, trying to justify to the lost soul why he did it. Second, the love for the lost soul disappeared. The statement "I wanted you to have what I have" would have made me come to the conclusion that I don't want what you have because whatever you have has made you mean. The mean part is in the accusation "if you can't see this." Well, it's the approach of the Christian that caused the lost soul to "become even more unable to bear" the Gospel offer. Then thirdly, to finish off, the statement, "Then you're making your own bed to lie in" is a condemnation of the soul of your contact! I would equate this with the horrible statements made to folks outside of Christ that goes something like, "You're going to hell if you're not a member of the church of Christ." Position yourself as being outside of Christ for a moment and even if you're seeking, would that statement move you to respond favorably? To me, not a chance! Not nearly as kindly actions towards the person would accomplish because kindness has a profound way of drawing people to you, making them more likely to "bear the message you wish to share."
I would offer to you, the reader, to use the counsel from Mark 4:33 in our conversations with lost souls. Our goal is to find out if they are searching or not and, if they are, to provide them with a teacher if you are not gifted in that area. However, if they are not searching we need to be very kind in our conversations with them especially in certain areas like politics, religious falsehoods or areas that are counterproductive to their soul's safety. No need to correct everything you hear from them that is religiously incorrect or push your political view on them. I know some will have their skin crawl with the next statement but I hope you realize Democrats can go to Heaven. Oh, Republicans also. Yes, and Tea Party and Independents can also go to Heaven. If your intellectual hackles were offended a bit it is an indicator to you that you really need to be very careful in your conversations with the lost. God does not judge according to political party affiliation but by the cleansing of the blood of Jesus applied to the sinner.
If we shut down a possible study down the road with a lost soul it is just not fair to them. Do not let your political stance become more valuable to you than the eternal destiny of the soul of another person. This applies to all situations as well. I have seen a conversation whether Ford or Chevrolet is a better choice of vehicle turn angry and mean between a Christian and a lost soul! Really?! A car choice played out in such a way that the lost soul walked away angry at the Christian. How about schools, clothes, investments or anything else that could lead to disagreements? We are in a much divided world and we need to share our ability to not take sides in earthly things with the goal to be able to share Heavenly things with a lost and dying world.
Some very powerful words for thought which I had learned a long, long time ago!
The Lord bless you richly in your evangelistic efforts!