Won Over Without Words

Our lives as believers are on display for others to see. 

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How many folks do we know who need to be won over?  Our actions are a great tool to win people over to come to the Lord.  Jesus never told us to work people over.  Years ago, Christians would beat people over the head with scripture bringing condemnation in their witnessing techniques.  The fruit of the Spirit was not being displayed in our actions.  Love is the very first fruit we recite and listing the fruit of the Spirit.  It encompasses all the rest.  

Did we ever consider that people could be won over by prayer?  “The prayers of a righteous man are power and effective.”  (James 5: 16)

  • Our prayers affect others.  

Peter begins speaking to the wives to be submissive to their hubby’s too.  Why?  “So that if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by their behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.”  (1 Peter 3: 1)  

Ladies, don’t make the same mistake I made, by trying to win my hubby over with hurtful words distorted from scripture.  Not wise!  Thankfully, the Lord stopped me and caused my behavior and actions to speak.  This works women of God!

There is an inner beauty, an “Unfading beauty and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”  (1 Peter 3: 4)  

  • No one likes a loudmouth, either.  

Husbands, you’re not off the hook.  “Treat your wives with respect as the weaker partner (physically) and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”  (1 Peter 3: 7) 

  •  The way we mistreat one another could hinder or advance our prayers.  

Called To Blessing

We are called to not only receive blessings but to release blessings.  Yes, even to those who don’t deserve to be blessed.  Peter says, “All of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil, or insult with insult, but with blessing, because TO THIS you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”  (1 Peter 3: 8-9)  

This doesn’t mean to be a doormat that people walk all over!  

  • Learn to walk away in times of a heated argument.  
  • Seek peace and pursue it.  

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers.”  (1 Peter 3: 12)  

We can win folks over to Jesus by “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have.”  (1 Peter 3: 15)  

  • Releasing hope speaks volumes. 
  • Use hope to point to Jesus. 

How do we do this?  “With gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (1 Peter 3: 16)  

(Shared from 1 Peter 3, Modified)

Obeying The Forefathers

There is a unique blessing when the generation of righteousness is passed on through the bloodline.  Usually, we speak of generational curses, but there are blessings being passed down too.  Let’s not forget!  

Jeremiah speaks of the family of the Rechabites who obeyed their forefather’s command of not disobeying the Lord.  They were a nomadic tribal group related to the Kenites, who were descendants of Moses’ father-in-law, Hobab.  

They had refused to drink any wine as was instructed by their forefather, Jonadab.  Take note, this was not about drinking wine, but about obedience.  

Jeremiah was told by the Lord, “Go to the Rechabite family and invite them to come to one of the side rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink.”  (Jeremiah 35: 2)  

  • Obey God even if the request seems odd.

Jeremiah obeys, places the wine in bowls with cups before them, but they refused because of the vow they had taken.  

I wondered what this was all about?  Jeremiah speaks to the men of Judah saying, “Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words; declares the Lord?” (Jeremiah 35: 13)  

  • God wanted the people of Judah to see what obedience looked like.  

God was pleased with the obedience and faithfulness of these Nomadic people to their forefathers.  

  • Our lives as believers are on display for others to see. 
  • We must model being a Jesus follower well.  
  • People learn by example more than what we say.  

The Scribe Writes And Obeys

Jeremiah calls for his scribe, Baruch, to write all the words the Lord was giving him.  He then was instructed to take the scroll to the people and read it out loud in the temple.  Baruch did just that.  

How did they respond?  “They looked at each other in fear and said to Baruch, we must report all the words to the king.”  (Jeremiah 36: 16)  

  • God will open the doors to the places He wants His words to go; possibly even to kings and dignitaries.  
  • Keep writing and releasing.  

The king was sitting down all cozy with his fire before him and whenever the words written on the scroll were read to him, “The king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the fire pit, until the scroll was burned in the fire.”  (Jeremiah 36: 23)  

All the officials urged the king not to burn God’s message, but he would not listen.  He ordered his men to go and find Jeremiah and Baruch, the scribe, so he could arrest them.  But the Lord had hidden them.  

  • Obedience to the Lord keeps us hidden in Him.

God then tells Jeremiah to compile another scroll, writing the same words given, but Jeremiah had added more words to it.  

  • If rejected at first, try again.

(Shared from Jeremiah 35-36, Modified)

His Love Endures

How long is the Lord’s love extended to us?  Forever!  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever!”  (Psalm 136: 1)  

  • We are one over by the One, for the one.  

Jesus prayed before He left the earth, “I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”  (John 17: 20-21)  

 

 

 

 


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About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com