I don’t want to convert you.

A gentle knock interrupted my quiet afternoon. It was so soft, I questioned whether or not I actually heard it. Sure enough, two nicely dressed ladies stood at my front door. I recognized The Watchtower magazines immediately. Jehovah’s Witnesses.

I slowly opened the door, already feeling the dread of an age-old dilemma turn my stomach to rocks. How do I be polite and honest? Do I invite them in for a hearty debate or just send them on their way?

They inquired about the previous homeowner by name. They had been visiting her regularly to teach her about the Bible and answer her questions about God. I made a mental note to pray for the previous owner. Would I be interested in one of their magazines?

I actually have a stack of their literature in my basement. Each time I get a visit like this, I decide to be prepared for an educated discussion the next time they come. Of course, my intentions are never fulfilled and the next visit always finds me just as unprepared as the previous.

I politely declined their offer explaining that I am in fact a Bible teacher and I just gave a class on the cover topic. I rambled something about them saving their resources for someone who has need of it. They pushed harder, obviously not believing either (1) that I was telling the truth or (2) that I am any good what I do. That’s when I heard myself say “I don’t want to convert you.”

Really? I don’t want to convert them?

My mouth continued to spew uninhibited strings of words. “I know about Jehovah’s Witnesses and we don’t believe the same things. You’re free to believe what you want and I don’t want to invite you in under false pretenses or lure you into a trap or … yadda, yadda, yadda …” I don’t even know what all I said.

“Well, we just believe what the Bible says.”

Really? Because I’m pretty sure — absolutely positive! — that the Bible says Jesus is the Son of God — not a son of God, but THE Son of God, thereby being deity. I’m also pretty sure that, according to the Bible, there is a Hell.

“So do I. We just interpret it differently.”

They asked if I would like another visit. I asserted “No, not really.”

An hour later I still debated the wisdom (or lack thereof) of my words. Should I have invited them in? Engaged in conversation? Did I just squash a divine interruption? Of course, this internal struggle is not limited to Jehovah’s Witnesses. I’ve gone through the same thing with Mormons, Muslims, New Agers and atheists. What are my responsibilities when it comes to evangelism? How much is too much? How much is not enough? Do the rules change when people show up at my door uninvited?

If I truly believe that all people are sinners, that the wages of sin are death and that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation, then why aren’t I more active in sharing that with people?

There are two major points I want to make here.

Christians are not responsible for converting unbelievers. That job belongs to God. More specifically, that job belongs to the Holy Spirit. Our job is to share the Gospel (evangelize). That doesn’t mean beating people over the head with Bibles. That doesn’t mean instigating fiery debates. That simply means sharing the hope that we have in Jesus Christ, sharing what we believe, sharing what we know through the Bible to be absolute truth about God and what He has done for us.

St. Francis of Assisi is attributed with this quote: “Preach the Gospel always and, if necessary, use words.”

Evangelism is critical to Christian faith. I’m not talking about the spread of Christianity; that is a natural result of evangelism. But evangelism itself is critical because it (1) forces believers to understand what they believe and why (You can’t share your convictions with others unless you actually hold those convictions.) and (2) it is obedience. Jesus said to tell others. If we don’t do what He said, than we’re not really following Him, are we? And if we’re not following Him and not doing what the Bible says, than church is little more than a social club. Right? This is a simple, logical progression.

I say all this to affirm that we must preach the Gospel. Preaching indeed involves words. BUT — and this is my second point — Effective evangelism starts with love. This is where far too many Christians fall short. We embrace our doctrines and theologies and become so passionate about winning the debates that we lose the relationships. Yes, we want to stand up for what is true, but if we run over people in the process, what difference have we made? Jesus said “They will know you by your love.” I gotta tell ya: love involves way more than words.

I don’t believe traps are loving. I don’t believe tricking or manipulating people is loving. Inviting strangers into my house under false pretenses is not loving. In fact, it feels like lying.

So here’s my game plan for situations like these. I will continue to be honest. It’s the same game plan I have for dealing with … well, life! I don’t have any hidden agendas. What you see is what you get. I am a Christian, and my faith is an integral, inescapable part of my daily life. I have very strong convictions about truth, specifically the truth of God. If you want to engage in conversation, GREAT. I would love that! I LOVE talking about God and spiritual things. I love understanding what people believe and why. But I’m not going to preach at you.

And if you want to preach at me, it’s probably best if you just keep walking.

How do you handle these situations?