Faith

Preaching to a Co-offender

One of the most seemingly difficult things to do is to preach to someone who knew you in your past, a co-offender, someone you’ve both been guilty of wrongdoings, saw you commit as many offences as possible and even heard your point of view on many subject matters. How do you then wake up one morning and say you are now born again?

One thing to note is that the fact that you ever did something wrong, is not a license to do it forever. The fact that you had a standpoint of view yesterday, doesn’t mean you should forever, especially if the backing was not from the word of God. Humans are always liable to growth, so you should allow yourself to grow.

As believers, we know that all of our sins have been forgiven by the Father, and his Spirit has been given to us, we also know we have been given the ministry of reconciliation which means we should actually preach to all men, irrespective of our past.

Many times, seeing co-offenders reminds us of who we were, but this should actually make us rejoice because it is now in the past. It’s like a man who was once a street beggar, got a million-dollar gift and does not want to go back to the street, because he is ashamed of himself. How? We know this person will definitely return, share cash, do give away and even help other beggars out of the street. That’s exactly how we should feel going back to preach to our former squad. Absolute excitement! With a touch of deep pocket Daddy and a sprinkle of cash madam feeling, just that your own is in the Spirit.

However, the devil would always want to make us feel guilty, likewise our friends because the devil doesn’t want you to enjoy the freedom the sacrifice of Christ purchased for you. And your friends cannot physically see what we have received, they can’t see the outward prove of the regenerated spirit you claim to have received.

So, here are steps to take in preaching to a co-offender.

1. Pray for the person.

The first step is to tarry in the place of prayer for the person or persons, before making a move to preach to them in person.

2. Expect to be mocked.

One thing you can expect is the person to laugh at you and make a joke of everything. And that is normal and expected, especially when the person is not aware of your new life and probably haven’t seen you work in the newness of life. The person’s last memory was the old you.

Expect to be mocked at, but don’t let that intimidate or repel you. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You are now a new man. You received forgiveness and you are now the righteousness of God in Christ. There is absolutely no shame in that.

A believer has nothing to be ashamed of. You are now a new man. You received forgiveness and you are now the righteousness of God in Christ. There is absolutely no shame in that. Click To Tweet

3. Don’t give up.

It’s unlikely that the co-offender would yield immediately. Don’t relent, of course, don’t be intrusive. The joy is that it’s a win-win case, as a seed has been sown and would definitely germinate with prayer and consistency.

4. Don’t uses the Guilt tactics.

There is a right and a wrong way to evangelizing. Ensure that you don’t throw the guilt of what they have done wrong in their faces. The gospel is a good news of liberation, not condemnation. Simply remind them of the love of God that brought you out of their midst.

There is a right and a wrong way to evangelizing. Ensure that you don’t throw the guilt of what they have done wrong in their faces. The gospel is a good news of liberation, not condemnation Click To Tweet

5. Be careful to also not use ego tactics

Be careful to also not use ego tactics. Positioning yourself as being better than them. Yes you are better in terms of your position in Christ, but you know it was not by your works. You want to make sure you are pointing them to Christ and not to yourself.

6. Watch yourself.

Lastly, ensure you are not spending too much time with them alone, so you don’t eventually begin to crave for your past, it’s safer to sometimes go with other believers, especially at the initial stage. The devil is already pissed that he has lost you forever, but he will try his best possible not to lose others, hence the need to be on guard.

I hope this helps someone. You should be more passionate to reach out to the people you used to be in darkness with because you have now seen the light.

You should be more passionate to reach out to the people you used to be in darkness with because you have now seen the light. Click To Tweet

Written by Joy Jiths

Read next; On Evangelism and Must I Preach the Gospel?

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