I read a funny but true story about a car salesman whose uncontrolled emotions cost him a sale. It reminded me of the importance of keeping our emotions in check when we share the gospel or contend for the faith so we do not impede its powerful message.
The story went something like this:
A customer walked into a dealership to shop for a new car. A friendly salesman approached the man and spent considerable time helping him find the vehicle of his dreams. After offering the potential buyer a variety of incentives and discounts to close the deal, the customer declined his offer.
Surprisingly, the salesman cried. He tearfully told the potential buyer he was confused by his decision because he thought they had made a connection earlier. Not surprisingly, the customer felt incredibly uncomfortable and left the dealership quickly—all but sprinting to the exit and never returning.
I share this humorous but peculiar story because it illustrates an approach we must avoid when defending or contending for the Christian faith. It serves as a valuable lesson, reminding us of the importance of maintaining emotional integrity when sharing the gospel.
When we present biblical truth that gets rejected, our emotionally charged reactions can cause unbelievers to run for the hills and never look back. It can also leave a bitter taste in their mouth toward Jesus and the gospel, diluting or negating its message. Furthermore, our emotional reactions (like anger or shock) can lead to defensiveness, hostility, rudeness, arrogance, insults, or a condescending attitude toward the one we are sharing with, which does not represent Jesus or the message we are presenting.
For this reason and more, we must always maintain a calm, respectful nature when communicating truth with spiritually lost individuals. We cannot underestimate the power of our demeanor, which can, depending on how we conduct ourselves, either draw others in or repel them.
