Handling Questions and Objections (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
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One of the greatest fears Christians have about sharing their faith is that they are afraid they won’t have all the answers. You might have a presentation of the gospel memorized perfectly. But what do you do when someone asks you a question? The Bible says “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15). That sounds scary. But most people have the same kinds of questions, and as long as we answer gently and humbly God will use our witness for His glory.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” (2Co 10:3-6 ESV)
What kind of war are we engaged in? We immediately think about the war with our own flesh. But this passage isn’t talking about that. It’s talking about our war with those not in the Church. Our desire is that they would come to Christ. How do we fight this battle?
We don’t engage in this war as worldly wars are fought (v. 3). There are dark periods of Christian history in which we sought to convert people through physical battle. We should be clear with people if they bring this up: we are sorry. That was wrong. But that’s not a reason to reject Christianity. People are sinful. God is the only One who is perfect. Don’t blame God for the actions of men.
Instead of winning people to Christ with swords and guns, what are we to use? First we must recognize that we cannot win people to Christ at all. God does it (v. 4). When we realize that evangelism is God’s work through us, it takes the pressure off of us.
The same kinds of questions can be asked with two very different sets of motives:
1. A person may have questions while sincerely seeking faith. If this is the case, we have nothing to worry about. God will draw them in His time.
2. A person may present objections while trying to argue against Christianity. In this case, the Word of God is powerful and is able to destroy any argument against Christ (v. 5). Even when a person is hostile towards Christianity, we have an obligation to answer gently.
I’d like to take a few minutes to answer some common questions people have about Christianity.
If God is both all good and all powerful, why is there evil in the world? God gave us freedom to choose good or evil. This doesn’t eliminate the problem of evil completely, because God is still sovereign, but it does at least show how it isn’t as big of a problem as people say it is.
Isn’t the Bible full of contradictions? Ask them to name one. Most people with this objection haven’t read the Bible for themselves. They are repeating what they’ve heard.
What about those who never hear about Jesus? There are nearly 2 billion people who have no access to the gospel. C. S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, “If you are worried about the people outside, the most unreasonable thing you can do is to remain outside yourself.” The Bible promises that God will accept the contrite in heart. I believe in miracles. Philip was miraculously transported to another place to preach the gospel (Acts 8:39-40). This may still happen today. It may very well be that whole nations are so stuck in their pagan practices that they would be unwilling to repent even if they heard the gospel. But at the right time, when even one soul is ready to hear it, the gospel will be preached there. This doesn’t get us off the hook. How can they hear without a preacher?
How can Jesus be the only way to Heaven? We don’t make the rules, God does. Everyone is invited to believe in Jesus.
Can God make a rock so big that he can’t lift it? To make a point, you might respond, “Yes.” God can make a rock so big that He can’t lift it, but then He would lift it. They might say, “That’s impossible!” I would respond, “Nothing is impossible for God.” But in actuality, the question is absurd. It’s like saying “Can God cease to be God?” It’s like saying you once saw a square circle. It’s logically impossible.
No matter what objection a person brings, always answer with humility and gentleness. If you don’t know an answer, admit that and tell them you’ll find out an answer for them. God will use you if you merely make yourself available to Him to be used.
Pastor Chris Huff has been with us since July 2009. He and his wife, Abby, have four children. Chris is originally from St. Louis, MO and even though he was raised as a city boy, he has a small town heart. Chris is all over the internet, so you can find him on Facebook, Twitter,… (read more)
