Evangelizing with our lives

[Paul]

I've been thinking about this issue for a few months now.

Because of the apologetics crowd, I used to try to evangelize to people using the traditional methods. That didn't work. So I think the strategy so many of us use needs to be updated.

When I mention Christianity to people, their ears slam shut. A few have even had what can only be described as demonic expressions on their faces when I mentioned my faith. The rest resort to emotional arguments when they can't fight my logic. In the end, I waste everyone's time. It's not good for me, either. Evangelization leads me toward the sin of pride. It may be good for others to do, but I can't get people saved without humility on my part.

What I have found, after praying a lot about this, is that I need to win the war against my own sinful self before I try to tell others what's good for them. I need to take the beam out of my own eye before taking the speck out of someone else's.

When I look back at my own conversion, I see that I wasn't won over by an evangelist, but by good example. I was forgiven when I knew I didn't deserve it. I saw parents who loved having children and considered them a blessing to be taken care of instead of a burden to be exterminated. I saw people standing up for what's right instead of submitting to the will of the people. I saw how much easier it was for people to go through life with the strategy guide (an analogy from video gaming) than without. I could reason out the superiority of faith over nothing, but it took these things to make me decide to convert.

This is why I've changed my strategy to preaching the Gospel at all times and only using words if necessary.

What do you all do to evangelize with your lives?

[odhiambo]

You have discovered for yourself how right Saint Francis of Assisi was when he advised that we
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
At the risk of sounding trite, actions  do "speak louder than words."

[Brigid]

Evangelizing with our lives is what brought me to Christianity. As a teen, a friend of mine was so calm and serene (hard as a teen) that I knew there must be something to it. And I was able to see that a number of very thoughtful people were Christians too. All these things couldn't be ignored.

[odhiambo]

"Good example is the most efficacious apostolate.
 You must be as lighted lanterns and shine like brilliant chandeliers among men.
 By your good example and your words, animate others to know and love God"

 St. Mary Joseph Rossello

[odhiambo]

 This morning I was reading the section on “How to pray” from the Catholic Doors Ministry” website.
The writer says before " 'spreading’ and ‘defending’ one's faith, it is necessary to practice it”.
This is exactly what we have been saying here.