An Unexpected Witness: Finding God’s Voice in Your Own
by: Danna Yarmowich
July 2, 2025
“I came to you in weakness - timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches,
I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit”
I was probably the only student in my high school who opted out of giving a five-minute devotion in front of the school for extra points on my final report card. Public speaking? No, thank you. Oral presentation? Hard pass for me if given the choice! Any speech, regardless of the audience size, always elicited feelings of fear and intimidation. Anxieties about being judged negatively or making mistakes, and embarrassing myself, would frequently arise in those situations.
The enemy had placed a stronghold over me, feeding me lies that kept me from doing the things I wanted to do; namely, share my faith without fear. I was deceived into believing that to be an effective witness, I needed a masterful, eloquent, memorized speech comprised of every answer a nonbeliever could ask. I felt deficient in scriptural knowledge and worried I might turn people away from Jesus should I engage in those conversations. The enemy told me I was unworthy to be an effective witness. What a liar!
Two specific verses have enabled me to recognize the lies of the enemy and replace those lies with God’s truth. The first is “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). The second is “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Sharing the gospel is fail-proof! A survey from the Institute of American Church Growth stated that 75 to 90 percent of new believers gave their lives to Christ because of a one-on-one conversation with a friend or acquaintance. We don’t have to be seasoned public speakers, bible scholars, or natural evangelists to lead someone to Christ. We just have to have a heart willing to share our source of hope. “…And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15). After all, if someone rejects that source of hope, they are rejecting God, not you.
According to William Fay, in his book Share Jesus Without Fear, it takes a nonbeliever an average of 7.6 times to hear the gospel before they accept and believe it. So, when you share your faith with someone, don’t measure success or effectiveness by their immediate response. You may have planted the initial seed, or you may have been the 5th time they are hearing it. Regardless, God’s word never returns void, and our job is simply to be obedient. We obey and share; God saves. He is the ultimate deal closer! “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up” (John 6:44).
When God called Moses to deliver the Israelites from Egypt, Moses expressed his fears and insecurities about being God’s witness with the same excuses that we use today. He felt his status was inferior; he was an inadequate speaker, and he lacked knowledge. “But Moses again pleaded, Lord, please! Send anyone else” (Exodus 4:13). What Moses failed to comprehend, as we sometimes do as well, was the significance of what God had just said to him. “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). That promise still reigns true. God desires for us to partner with Him through His Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere - in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). When we walk in obedience, the Holy Spirit will give us the power we need to share our faith and we are to trust God for the results.
Even Paul, considered to be the most effective of all witnesses, expressed his feelings of inadequacy when speaking to the Corinthians about Jesus. He knew his own words would not impress them, but he was more concerned about the message than the presentation. He relied on the Holy Spirit to do the work through him. “When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you, I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the crucified one. I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:1-4).
Worship: The Commission
Prayer
Lord, I pray that you fill me with your Holy Spirit and empower me to effectively share my faith through a partnership with you. Thank you for giving me a kingdom purpose. I pray for opportunity and influence concerning people who do not yet know you. Forgive me for my sin of silence and remind me that you are not looking for perfection, but rather a willing heart. Keep me humble, gentle, and kind as I share your love with others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Study
Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, Acts 22:15, Romans 10:14, “Share Jesus Without Fear” by William Fay
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The enemy had placed a stronghold over me, feeding me lies that kept me from doing the things I wanted to do; namely, share my faith without fear. I was deceived into believing that to be an effective witness, I needed a masterful, eloquent, memorized speech comprised of every answer a nonbeliever could ask. I felt deficient in scriptural knowledge and worried I might turn people away from Jesus should I engage in those conversations. The enemy told me I was unworthy to be an effective witness. What a liar!