--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You certainly don’t “need” to evangelize…" description: "\"“You certainly don’t “need” to evangelize. You can rest assured that God is perfectly capable of bringing people to himself in His own good time and in..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/stephen-arterburn-27128_bible_you-certainly-don-t-need-to-evangelize-y_984918.jpg" --- # You certainly don’t “need” to evangelize. You can rest… ![“You certainly don’t “need” to evangelize. You can rest assured that God is perfectly capable of bringing people to himself in His own good time and in His own good way. That said, though, it’s very likely you will be galvanized by your own joy in the Lord to share that joy with others. It’s only…” quote by stephen arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/stephen-arterburn-27128_bible_you-certainly-don-t-need-to-evangelize-y_984918.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/stephen-arterburn-27128_bible_you-certainly-don-t-need-to-evangelize-y_984918.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39e/stephen-arterburn-27128_bible_you-certainly-don-t-need-to-evangelize-y_984918.jpg) > ““You certainly don’t “need” to evangelize. You can rest assured that God is perfectly capable of bringing people to himself in His own good time and in His own good way. That said, though, it’s very likely you will be galvanized by your own joy in the Lord to share that joy with others. It’s only natural to want to share something wonderful you’ve found with everyone around you – and especially with those in your life for whom you have affection or care about. And if that life-enhancing, life-saving something you’ve found is absolutely free to anyone who will but ask for it, well.. Well then it’s a wonder, isn’t it, that every bible sold doesn’t come with a bullhorn. The question of exactly when and how it’s best for you to personally share your faith with others is one that the Holy Spirit stands ever ready to help you answer. Primarily, it’s a matter of simply paying attention to the signals you get from non-christians about the degree to which they’re ready to have a conversation in which it would be natural to talk about the value and nature of personal beliefs. Forcing that conversation is unlikely to prove productive to you or to the other person. You don’t want to alienate someone by too zealously pushing Christ on them before they’re optn to that sort of interaction with you. The best rule of thumb when wondering how and when you should go about evangelizing is to just be yourself and relax about it. When it’s time to talk to someone about Jesus, Jesus by His spirit will let you know. Trust in this. God’s ultimate purpose is to bring every person on earth to the realization that his son died so they might have eternal life. And as a Christian you do have a role in that inspiring mission. Trust God to let you know when it’s time for you to step into it – how and with whom.”” [stephen arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage advises sharing faith naturally, listening to others’ readiness, and trusting divine timing rather than forceful persuasion. **In simple terms:** Share beliefs gently, guided by respect and spiritual insight. Key Takeaway Share faith when the moment feels right and respectful. Themes faith evangelism respect patience spirituality Mood thoughtful encouraging spiritual Type advice guidance When to use this quote - church fellowship - personal conversations - mission trips - online ministry Key Concepts divine timing personal testimony empathetic outreach Questions to Reflect On - How do you discern when to share your beliefs? - What signs indicate someone is open to spiritual dialogue? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on timing can lead to missed opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Eternal life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-life/) [Evangelize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelize-291274/) [Evangelizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelizing-279738/) [Evangelizing Just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelizing-just-1979081/) [Holy spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/holy-spirit/) [Need Evangelize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/need-evangelize-1979079/) [Paying Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paying-attention/) [Personal beliefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/personal-beliefs/) [Son Died](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son-died/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wondering Evangelizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wondering-evangelizing-1979080/) ## Related quotes > [The task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church. It is a task and mission which the vast and profound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-paul-vi/the-task-of-evangelizing-all-people-constitutes-the-essential-mission/) [Pope Paul VI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-paul-vi/) > [We have the means of evangelizing our country, but they are slumbering in the pews of our churches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stott/we-have-the-means-of-evangelizing-our-country-but-they-are-slumbering/) [John Stott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stott/) > [Jesus, the Word incarnate, is always the center of our announcement, the point of reference for our evangelizing mission and for its methodology, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/jesus-the-word-incarnate-is-always-the-center-of-our-announcement-the/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Vital parishes built on the Bible and the sacraments, committed to evangelizing their neighborhoods, will continue to flourish. The poor will be served, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-weigel/vital-parishes-built-on-the-bible-and-the-sacraments-committed-to/) [George Weigel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-weigel/) > [“One cannot keep on evangelizing the world without interfering with the world's culture. It devolves upon God's people, therefore, to contend for such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-r-van-til/one-cannot-keep-on-evangelizing-the-world-without-interfering-with/) [Henry R. Van Til](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-r-van-til/) > [“Perhaps the new way of evangelizing is not so much through confrontation and argument, but through conversation, dialogue, and affirmation”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-murphy/perhaps-the-new-way-of-evangelizing-is-not-so-much-through/) [Charles M. Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-murphy/) > [If evangelism isn't an expression of love of neighbor, it isn't Christian evangelizing. And love of neighbor includes not only what I say to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/if-evangelism-isn-t-an-expression-of-love-of-neighbor-it-isn-t/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [The first step towards the evangelizing of the world is the christianizing of the church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vance-havner/the-first-step-towards-the-evangelizing-of-the-world-is-the/) [Vance Havner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vance-havner/) > [Evangelization does not consist in proselytizing, for proselytizing is a caricature of evangelization, but rather evangelizing entails attracting by our witness those who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/evangelization-does-not-consist-in-proselytizing-for-proselytizing-is/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [If we do our jobs well and throw in a little evangelizing, we can make sound as important a part of filmmaking as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-rydstrom/if-we-do-our-jobs-well-and-throw-in-a-little-evangelizing-we-can-make/) [Gary Rydstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-rydstrom/) > [Evangelizing includes the endeavor to elicit a response to the truth taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/evangelizing-includes-the-endeavor-to-elicit-a-response-to-the-truth/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Oh my friends, we are loaded with countless church activities, while the real work of the church, that of evangelizing and winning the lost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-j-smith/oh-my-friends-we-are-loaded-with-countless-church-activities-while/) [Oswald J. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-j-smith/) > [An evangelizing community gets involved in word and deed in people’s daily lives; it bridges distances, it is willing to abase itself if necessary,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/an-evangelizing-community-gets-involved-in-word-and-deed-in-people-s/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“The preacher should work to convert his congregation; the wife should work to save her unbelieving husband. Christians are sent to convert, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer-2/the-preacher-should-work-to-convert-his-congregation-the-wife-should/) [J.I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer-2/) > [A big issue for Muslims is when Christian evangelizing - telling people about the faith - becomes proselytizing, actively trying to convert. Some Muslims…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-abernethy/a-big-issue-for-muslims-is-when-christian-evangelizing-telling-people/) [Bob Abernethy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-abernethy/) ## More by stephen arterburn > [“Macho men, without their grief, must find a way to gain power and control over their environment. They have a unique way of rationalizing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/macho-men-without-their-grief-must-find-a-way-to-gain-power-and/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“Outcasts can interpret reality for themselves. Even when their perception of reality contradicts that of hundreds or thousands of followers, they can clearly see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/outcasts-can-interpret-reality-for-themselves-even-when-their/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“In a toxic-faith system, loyalty is equated with blind faith and complete agreement with the leader.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/in-a-toxic-faith-system-loyalty-is-equated-with-blind-faith-and/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“God has given us the freedom to make choices. Some choices will be better than others. The worst ones will cause us discomfort and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/god-has-given-us-the-freedom-to-make-choices-some-choices-will-be/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“People in pain have enough problems without some well-meaning folks trying to short-circuit the grief process by declaring that everything is a good event…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/people-in-pain-have-enough-problems-without-some-well-meaning-folks/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“13Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/13three-things-will-last-forever-faith-hope-and-love-and-the-greatest/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“In a toxic system, the toxic minister sets himself or herself up as having a special destiny or mission that can be performed by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/in-a-toxic-system-the-toxic-minister-sets-himself-or-herself-up-as/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“17So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/17so-you-see-faith-by-itself-isn-t-enough-unless-it-produces-good/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“If you do develop a major problem, it is the result of your deep spiritual weakness. 3. Since this weakness makes the church look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/if-you-do-develop-a-major-problem-it-is-the-result-of-your-deep/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“When ministers wield absolute authority, everyone loses, even God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/when-ministers-wield-absolute-authority-everyone-loses-even-god/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“   23Pride ends in humiliation,         while humility brings honor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/23pride-ends-in-humiliation-while-humility-brings-honor/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“Misguided loyalty allows the delusions of the leader to grow and destroys the faith of the loyal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/misguided-loyalty-allows-the-delusions-of-the-leader-to-grow-and/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“If you are not going to pretend you are problem-free, at least show everyone you are deeply ashamed. 5. If you are not going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/if-you-are-not-going-to-pretend-you-are-problem-free-at-least-show/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“Upon my eighteenth birthday I was given three choices: 1. Join the church, and live at home. 2. Move out and live on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/upon-my-eighteenth-birthday-i-was-given-three-choices-1-join-the/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) > [“We are as sick as our secrets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-arterburn/we-are-as-sick-as-our-secrets/) [Stephen Arterburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) [Explore all 21 stephen arterburn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-arterburn/) ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/) [Michael Arnold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arnold/) > [When you put your hand on the Bible, you are saying something much stronger than just telling your peers that you're going to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-greenwood/when-you-put-your-hand-on-the-bible-you-are-saying-something-much/) [Lee Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-greenwood/) > [“Scripture also teaches that human beings are morally responsible creatures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-peterson/scripture-also-teaches-that-human-beings-are-morally-responsible/) [Robert A. Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-peterson/) > [“The wife of a junior officer cooped up in a horrible canvas partition in steerage for five months wrote: "I had enjoyed much peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-taylor/the-wife-of-a-junior-officer-cooped-up-in-a-horrible-canvas-partition/) [Stephen Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-taylor/) > [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/) [Walsham How](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walsham-how/) > [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/) [Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/) > [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/where-i-come-from-you-re-not-raised-to-think-on-your-own-it-s-not/) [Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? 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They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) [Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You certainly don’t “need” to evangelize. You can rest assured that God is perfectly capable of bringing people to himself in His own good time and in His own good way. That said, though, it’s very likely you will be galvanized by your own joy in the Lord to share that joy with others. It’s only natural to want to share something wonderful you’ve found with everyone around you – and especially with those in your life for whom you have affection or care about. And if that life-enhancing, life-saving something you’ve found is absolutely free to anyone who will but ask for it, well.. Well then it’s a wonder, isn’t it, that every bible sold doesn’t come with a bullhorn. The question of exactly when and how it’s best for you to personally share your faith with others is one that the Holy Spirit stands ever ready to help you answer. Primarily, it’s a matter of simply paying attention to the signals you get from non-christians about the degree to which they’re ready to have a conversation in which it would be natural to talk about the value and nature of personal beliefs. Forcing that conversation is unlikely to prove productive to you or to the other person. You don’t want to alienate someone by too zealously pushing Christ on them before they’re optn to that sort of interaction with you. The best rule of thumb when wondering how and when you should go about evangelizing is to just be yourself and relax about it. When it’s time to talk to someone about Jesus, Jesus by His spirit will let you know. Trust in this. 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