We love epic battle stories where good overcomes evil. When I was growing up, one of my favorites was on Saturday morning cartoons, the Roadrunner vs Wile E Coyote. There are some parallels in this cartoon to today’s passage with the coyote’s name and his many schemes in which he tries to entrap and kill the road runner. A more classic and beloved story in our day is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In that fantasy series, JRR Tolkien definitely draws on scriptural principles in the battle of good vs evil in Middle Earth.
As we celebrate Memorial Day and remember those who gave their lives for our country and as we approach the 80th anniversary of D-day in WWII, we can also see parallels in that epic battle to the true epic battle of good and evil of redemptive history. I showed this timeline last time and pointed out that just as there came a point in time, VE day, that the Allied powers were going to win WWII, there was still months of intense battle before final victory came on VJ day.
In Jhn 18:36 Jesus told us, “. . . My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” We saw last time that the kingdom that we are fighting for and this battle we wage is not against flesh and blood; but is spiritual, against the devil and against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:12)
In the original creation God made, everything was good. But then the devil tempted Adam and Eve to sin which brought pain and death into the world, and ever since there has been this battle between good and evil. But even at that time of the Fall, there was a promise that a Savior would come and bruise or crush the head of Satan. (Gen 3:15) In time, Christ came in the flesh and died on the cross, destroying the works devil (1Jn 3:8) and scripture tells us the God of Peace will come soon and crush Satan under our feet. (Rom 16:20)
This is the “already, but not yet,” aspect of Christ’s kingdom, that is often talked about in theology, and the time in which we live; where we have been delivered from the domain of darkness and have been transferred to the kingdom of his beloved Son. (Col 1:13) In these last days, we wrestle or battle against the flesh, the devil, and his demonically influenced world system; where the victory has been secured by Christ at his first coming, but not completely realized until he comes again. In my last sermon on today’s passage, we discussed that there is an individual aspect to this battle, but also a corporate aspect in which the church fights against this system and we need to help one another in this battle.
We also discussed last time, that in Paul’s teaching he uses the verb enduo or put on in reference to two battles. There is a battle against the evil within us, against the flesh. We addressed that in the sermon series on Colossians 3 last fall. We are to seek and set our minds on the things above and to slay or put to death the old self/nature and suit up with or put on the new self; replacing our old sinful desires and habits with new, godly desires and habits. Last month, in Eph 6:10-20, we began to look at the battle with evil outside of us. The schemes of lies that Satan tells us and his temptations for us to go back and put on our old comfortable clothes, sinful desires and habits; and his influence on the world system and philosophies, that as the ruler of this world, he has set up to draw people astray through false teaching and to oppose believers in any way he can.
We saw that Paul wants us to Be strong in the Lord in the strength of his might (v10) and to stand firm against the devil and his schemes (v11,13,14). Paul told us to do this by suiting up with or putting on the whole armor of God (v11,13). And last time we looked at the first 3 pieces of armor introduced with the phrase “having put on,” pieces that we need to put on to always be ready in the battle. Those were the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the shoes of the readiness given by the gospel of peace. We saw that there were a couple of sides to each of these pieces of the armor. We need to know and love God’s word as the foundation and the thing that holds us together. And that we are also to be true to the truth so that we are effective in battle against Satan’s lies and false world system. We are protected against eternal death by Christ’s righteousness, and we also need to live a righteous life to be effective against Satan. And we looked at the advancement of the kingdom of light over the kingdom of darkness by the preaching of the gospel, and that we also need to preach the gospel of peace to ourselves and to one another so that we can stand firm when life’s battles rage around us.
Today, we are going to continue looking at the armor of God that we are to suit up with or put on by looking at the next 3 pieces of armor introduced with the verb, take. We need to especially put these on when we are actively engaged in spiritual battle; and we will look at prayer and supplication which give us the power and strength to stand firm against Satan’s schemes and attacks. So, let’s look at our text again today, starting at 6:10 to get context, but we will be specifically addressing vs 16-20.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
In v 16, Paul starts off with in all circumstances or, above all (KJV), we are to take up these next pieces of armor. We must also be always ready to actively engage in spiritual battle with Satan and his world system. In so doing, Paul tells us to take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. And it’s not just faith in anything, it’s faith in God’s revealed truth and his promises. Pro 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
The Greek word used here for shield is not referring to the shield that a soldier would wear on his arm to deflect blows from his assailant, but instead to a large, door-like shield that would be put out in front of, to the sides, or even over the top of the troops to block the archers’ arrows from inflicting injury. A common tactic in battle during Paul’s time of writing, involved dipping arrows in pitch and setting them on fire to cause more severe havoc against the opponent. Satan loves to lob fiery darts at us as well, tempting the burning passions of the old self and our flesh. One of his favorites, with which he often assails the church, is the fiery tongue.
Jas 3:5 “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.”
Far too often in the church, we gossip about others or tear down our brothers. By faith, we can extinguish this fiery dart by “let[ting] no corrupting talk come out of [our] mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Eph 4:29)
In our hypersexualized culture, Satan is constantly shooting the fiery dart of sexual immorality at us. Remember Solomon’s warning and instruction to his son,
Pro 6:27 Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned? 28 Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? 29 So is he who goes in to his neighbor's wife; none who touches her will go unpunished.
And Jesus taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mat 5:27-28)
Extinguish these darts, be like Job and commit to be faithful to your spouse or future spouse. Job 31:1 “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
And remember Solomon’s words,
Pro 5:15 Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. 16 Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? 17 Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. 18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,”
Take radical action against this pernicious temptation, remembering Jesus’ words, “For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.” (Mat 5:30)
Another scheme, or fiery dart, Satan uses is one he has been using from the beginning, even in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:2,4; c/w Job 1:9-11, 2:4-5). He slanders God and tempts us to not trust God’s goodness. He does not want us to be content and satisfied with what God has given us or the circumstances we are in, he tempts us to discontentment and dissatisfaction. When we are struggling in our circumstances such as financial or relational hardships, Satan loves to say, “I thought God loved you. Why isn’t he giving you more and making things better for you.” By faith, we can be content in all circumstances. And it’s faith in Christ, not ourselves or anything else, that protects.
Php 4:11 . . . for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. . . . 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews chapter 11, often called the hall of faith, is filled with examples of OT saints who used the shield of faith to stand against Satan’s schemes. Listen to the summary about the judges, kings, and prophets of Israel:
Heb 11:33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Peter tells us in 1Pe 4:12 “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” And he goes on to say in 1Pe 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
And John says in 1Jn 5:4 “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
So, using the shield of faith, we can stand firm against and extinguish the flaming darts of the devil.
Next, Paul tells us to take the helmet of salvation. Like the breastplate of righteousness, Paul again borrows imagery from Isa 59:17. In v 13 and 16 we are told to take up the whole armor of God and the shield of faith. Here, in v 17, the verb is translated with just take in English, because in the Greek it is a different word meaning to receive, such as “take this thing I am giving you.” The helmet, perikephalaia, protects the head and our brain and is very important. A strategic blow to the head can be fatal. Although Satan cannot deal a fatal blow to a believer in Christ, he loves to fill our minds with thoughts that God no longer loves us, or how could God forgive us for what we did whenever we sin. Remember we must destroy these arguments and take these thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ (2Co 10:5). Because salvation is of the Lord (Psa 3:8), it cannot be taken from us (Jhn 10:28-29), nothing can separate from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:38-39). Though are sins are like scarlet, they have been made white as snow (Isa 1:18) and our sins have been removed from us as far as the east is from the west (Psa 103:12).
In 1Th 5:18 Paul calls the helmet, the hope of salvation. This is not a wishful hope, but a certain and comforting hope that keeps us from “being troubled and tormented by Satan.” (Matthew Henry) Paul had written earlier in this letter (Eph 2:12) that we were formerly without hope and without God in the world. But now, “having the eyes of [our] hearts enlightened, [we] may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” (Eph 1:18).
In scripture, there are various aspects of salvation. We were chosen for salvation in eternity past (Election/predestination Eph 1:4-5, Rom 8:29), we are saved by faith in Christ (justification Eph 2:8-9, Rom 5:1), we are being saved (sanctification Eph 2:10, Php 2:12-13), and we will be saved (glorification Eph 1:11,14; Rom 8:21,30). This hope of salvation where there will be no more sin, nor more death, no more crying (Rev 21:4) and where we will be glorified and see Christ as He is (1Jn 3:2); is a great comfort and protection to us when Satan tries to deceive us and his world system seems unfair and unjust.
Listen to this promise from Hebrews:
Heb 6:17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.
And this promise from 1Peter:
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this hope of salvation, by faith, we can be Strong and Stand firm in the Lord.
So, we are to take the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and finally Paul tells us to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Although the other parts of the armor are primarily for our defense, this piece of the armor is definitely offensive and the main weapon that is divinely powered to destroy Satan’s strongholds and the arguments and philosophies of his world system (2Co10:4-5). God’s word is “is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12). Listen to what John Gill says about the sword,
“the word of God is compared to a ‘sword’, for its two edges, the law and Gospel; the one convicts of sin, and cuts to the heart for it, and the other cuts down all the goodliness of man; and the Scriptures in general are a sharp sword, in convincing of sin, reproving for it, and threatening with wrath and ruin, in refuting error and heresy, and repelling Satan's temptations, and will be used in the destruction of antichrist: and this word may be called ‘the sword of the Spirit’, because it is not carnal, but of a spiritual nature; and is used by the spiritual man; and because the Holy Spirit . . . is the author of it; and which he furnishes the saints with, and teaches them how to make use of, and makes it powerful and effectual.”
Jesus showed us the ultimate example in how to wield this sword. When he was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, each time he responded with, “It is written.” (Mat 4:1-11, Luk 4:1-13 ). More than 60 times, Jesus and the other authors of the NT use the phrase, “it is written.” For us, individually and as the church, we must know Scripture to be Strong and to Stand firm, to fight against and advance against the gates of hell. One of Satan’s schemes is to distract us with so many things that we spend no or very little time in God’s word. One reason the church is so anemic these days is because the people in the church don’t know God’s word. I am so grateful we have a pastor who is committed to faithfully teaching God’s word, verse by verse each week. But brother and sister, in addition, we must be regularly spending time in God’s word; studying and memorizing it and using or applying it, to fight the devil’s schemes.
Rev 1:3 says, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
In Revelation, 3 times (1:16, 2:16, 19:15), we see an image of a sword coming out of Christ’s mouth, referring to His word. God’s word will be used to judge the world. Let us know His word, which brings us salvation; and so that we can fight along with Him using His word, and not have to experience His sword as the word of judgement.
Although Paul describes, distinct pieces of the armor, they are all closely linked. And to be effective in the battle against the spiritual forces of darkness, we must suit up with or put on the whole armor of God. This piece of the armor, the sword of the Spirit, is closely linked with the belt of truth. God is not man, that he should lie (Num 23:19) and his word is truth (Jhn 17:17). I have been told that the FBI trains agents to recognize counterfeit money but studying real currency. In the same way we must know God’s word, so that we can recognize Satan’s lies, the false teachings that he inspires, the “arguments and lofty opinions raised up against the knowledge of God; and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (2Co 10:5)
Thus far, we have seen that Paul encourages us to be Strong in the Lord and to Stand firm against the schemes of the devil by Suiting up with the full armor of God. Now, in v 18, he turns to an essential tool in the battle against Satan and his demonic system – prayer and Supplication. In battle, proper communication between the commanding general with the front-line soldiers is crucial to engaging in a battle. It’s the same in spiritual battle. John Piper calls prayer our “war time walkie talkie.” He says, “Prayer is not a bell to call the servants to satisfy some desire we happen to feel, it is a battlefield transmitter for staying in touch with the general.” It is how we gain access to the divine power (2Co 10:4, 2Pe 1:3) behind our ability to be Strong and Stand firm. So, you might even think of prayer and Supplication to be like the serum Steve Rogers was given that transformed him into the super soldier Captain America.
In v18 Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer by using the Greek pas, translated all, four times. First Paul says to pray at all times. In Rom 12:12, Paul tells us to be constant in prayer. In 1Thessalonians, he encourages us to pray night and day (3:10) and without ceasing (5:17). In other words, we should have a regular, ongoing conversation with God about everything that goes on in our lives. There is certainly a place for having regular dedicated times of focused prayer and Paul encourages us to continue that throughout all our day, in all our circumstances.
Next, Paul tells us to pray with all prayer and Supplication. These are different Greek words with subtle differences. Prayer is talking to God and involves various aspects. An often used and helpful acronym is ACTS. This is the format we use in our order of worship each week. A - Adoration is giving praise to God for who He is and what He does. C - Confession involves acknowledging our sin to God, asking for help in overcoming our sin, and remembering the assurance we have that our sin has been pardoned. T – Thanksgiving is acknowledging the many acts of mercy and kindness that the Lord has shown to us and others. And S -Supplication, a particular kind of prayer or way of praying, is bringing our needs to God. We ask Him for our and others daily provision and protection from the evil one (Mat 6:11-13) and for Him to intercede on behalf of others as Paul goes on to ask for in in v19-20.
We are told to keep alert and pray with all perseverance. We must be ever vigilant against the schemes of the devil. When we slip and give in to our sinful desires, we must keep praying for the strength to stand firm. Jesus said in Luk 21:36 , “But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” And in Mat 26:41 (c/w Mar 14:38) Jesus told us to, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Paul wrote in Col 4:2, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
In Luk 18:1 [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. . . . (c/w Canaanite woman asking for daughter before Jesus Mat 15: 22-28 and friend asking for bread at midnight Luk 11:5-13)
Lastly, Paul tells us to make supplication for all the saints. In all of Paul’s letters, he includes prayers for the saints and in 2Co 11:28 he says, “And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” The word translated anxiety here can also be translated care for. He tells us further in Php 4:6, in the context of strife between two women in the church, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
As I was studying and preparing for this sermon, I was convicted of how selfish and self-focused my prayers are. So many times, I pray about things that are affecting me and my family and so little time do I pray for our church and the universal church and all the saints. Paul and the other apostles were constantly praying for others, especially for them to grow in Christ and for the spread of the gospel. These are things we can pray for others, we know are according to God’s will, and these are prayers God will answer.
This is what Paul has in mind when he tells us to pray in the Spirit. We want to pray in line with His inspired word.
Jhn 15:7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. And in 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
If we abide in the Spirit inspired word, we will pray according to his will. And if or when we are unsure what or how to pray, remember and be comforted by:
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Finally, in v 19-20, Paul demonstrates the corporate nature of spiritual warfare by asking for prayer as he often did in his letters ( Rom 15:30, 2Co1:11, Php 1:19, Col 4:3, 1Th5:25, 2Th 3:1, Phm 1:22). And he shows us an example of what to pray for and how to pray for the saints. So often, my prayer requests are focused on my circumstances and how they could be improved. Here Paul is imprisoned, in chains. Does he ask for better conditions or even release? No, he asks twice for boldness in proclaiming the gospel which led to his imprisonment. Although Acts ( 9:27, 13:46, 14:3, 18:26, 19:8, 28:31) tells us Paul proclaimed the gospel boldly, resulting in his imprisonment; he knows he cannot keep doing that in his own strength. So, he asks his brothers to pray for him that he would continue to do so.
He wants the mystery of the gospel to be preached to all nations. We can pray the same and ask for boldness in faithfully carrying out the great commission (Mat 28:18-20). This is why each week we dedicate part of the time during the prayer of supplication to praying for missionaries we support that are taking the gospel to the nations, why we pray for unreached people groups, and; for our own local efforts through Jason’s ministry, HIS, and our interactions with those in our sphere of influence.
In v20, Paul describes himself as “an ambassador in chains.” This passage also reminds us to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Many believers around the world are imprisoned, tortured, and even killed for their faith in Christ. Again, this is why we support and pray for ministries like Voice of the Martyrs and Barnabas Aid, and why we pray for the persecuted church and believers around the world during our prayer of supplication during our worship service. I believe it is likely, that even in our country, persecution for our faith will be coming. Pray for our church and the Christian church in general to stand firm and remain faithful to our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray these verses for us and all the saints:
2Ti 2:3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
1Pe 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. . .19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
So, let’s pray and supplicate for one another that we would be strong in the Lord and the strength of his might. Let’s suit up with or put on the full armor of God that we would stand firm against the schemes of the devil; that even in the face of suffering, imprisonment, or even death; that we would remain faithful and that words may be given to us to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel to the world.
I want to close with a warning Jesus gives to the church in Ephesus in Rev 2:1-7 and I think we should heed as well. Jesus says, 2:2 “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. 2:3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. 2:4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
Let us individually and as a church stand firm against false teaching. Let’s be like the church in Ephesus. But, if we dot all of our doctrinal I’s and cross all pious T’s; if we fight every false teaching with all the right arguments , but we don’t love Jesus and His church, we are noisy gong or a clanging cymbal, we gain nothing (1Co 13: 1-3). We are in danger of falling into the snare of pride that Satan so often uses to catch people. Let us love the truth, but more importantly, let us love Him who is the truth and His bride, the church. Let us humbly have ears to hear what the Spirit teaches us in this passage and all of Scripture. Remember Jesus’ words to the church in Ephesus, Rev 2:7 . . . “To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”
Here are some questions to contemplate and some suggestions for application:
Do you believe, by faith, in God’s promises to stand against the many worldly temptations that you face daily? Are you memorizing Scripture so that you can extinguish Satan’s fiery darts and wield the sword of the Spirit against his attacks and the world’s lies? Are you always ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you? (1Pe 4:15)
Are you fully trusting in God’s sovereignty over your salvation? Are you falling to the temptation to think that there are things you have to do to earn more of God’s favor than what Christ has already accomplished? Are you looking confidently to the blessed hope of our salvation?
Are you a person of prayer? Are your prayers self-focused? Are you praying for the advance of the gospel and for all the saints?
Are you bold in sharing the gospel? Pro 28:1 . . . the righteous are bold as a lion. Ask for boldness as Paul did. Ask Jason or another gifted evangelist to help you learn to share the gospel. And remember the power and the results are in Holy Spirit’s regenerative work and His inspired word of truth.
Isa 55:10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.