How Christians become Atheists

I've met many who previously were Christians who have declared themselves atheists and I always wondered how it all happened.

What really made them go from saying "Jesus is Lord" to "There is no God"?

After getting saved, the believer starts learning the Word of God and the Bible shows us there are practices which the believer needs to imbibe and act out.

1Corinthians 14:1 gives us two practices

"Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy."

He gives us two practices:

1. Pursue love(we'll discuss later)

2. Desire spiritual gifts.

Many Christians don't know they are supposed to desire spiritual gifts. They think it's for Pastors. This practice is for every Christian.

1Corinthians 12:7 explains why it is so important to imbibe this practice.

"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of  all:"

He calls spiritual gifts "manifestations of the Spirit"

The Holy Spirit is inside the believer and can't be seen by the physical eyes, the basic way to show what you carry inside you is through the "manifestations of the Spirit"

That's why he says "unlock by desiring spiritual gifts, the manifestations of the Spirit". By doing this everyone including the believer will see and know that God is with the believer(1Corinthians 14:25).

That will also prove to the believer and those around that God really exists.

The believer who becomes an atheists didn't stay in faith to the point of having the manifestations of the Spirit, because no one ever taught him/her the practice of desiring spiritual gifts.

Spiritual gifts were so important to Apostle Paul, to the extent he went all out to impart believers with spiritual gifts and he explains that having spiritual gifts makes a believer established in the faith.

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—

Romans 1:11 NKJV

Any believer who has no spiritual gift is not established and can easily go back into the world.

Pursue love and desire spiritual gifts.

God bless you!

Evangelism 1: Tips for succeeding

Evangelism is the assignment of every christian, for Jesus said "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). It's important to understand that there is joy among the Angels ONLY when we win souls; there is no joy when we preach, there is only Joy in Heaven when a sinner repents(Luke 15:10). The Evangelist(soul winner or preacher) must employ good methods which will win souls; because, not every method of preaching will win souls.

In the Bible, we find the Apostle Paul almost converting King Agrippa(Acts 26:27) that could happen to a christian if he does not employ good methods of evangelism.
To win souls, one must put these in place:

1. The Message:

The Bible says to preach the Gospel(Gospel means Good news), the preacher(Evangelist) must know what to preach. He must understand the message about Jesus and his finished work on the cross. He must understand the purpose of the message; which is,

"To get a man(the one He is preaching to) to act on Romans 10:9".

 If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from death, you will be saved (GNT)

The message must be geared towards the purpose of the Gospel; without getting the person we are preaching to, to act on Romans 10:9, we've not fulfilled the purpose of the evangelism and have brought no joy to Heaven.

2. Be Convinced About The Message:

Do you believe what you are preaching? Are you totally convinced about the message you bear? You can't expect to convince anyone if you are not convinced about the message. In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Apostle Paul talks of how He preached with much assurance(conviction). No one will be convinced if we preach without looking convinced.

3. Focus On The Message:

Unskilled Evangelists always ends up arguing with the person they are preaching to because they don't focus on the message. It's good to avoid doctrinal messages, avoid denominational differences and avoid making the message too complex. The Bible recommends "simplicity that is in Christ", it's good to make the message simple and straight-forward or else an argument may ensue. Arguments may put your listener on one side while you end up on the other side of the divide.

4. Let The Holy Spirit Do His Job:

The Holy Spirit is so important in our evangelism; to the extent, that Jesus warned His disciples not to go out until they got baptized in the Holy Spirit.

And while He was with them, He commanded them, "Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what was promised by the Father, which you heard about from me. For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Acts 1:4-5(LEB)

No matter how eloquent a preacher is, it's the job of the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin. No human words(without the holy spirit) can make anyone become born again. It's the Holy Spirit who saves. While the preacher talks to the person's ears; the Holy Spirit talks to the person's heart. The preacher needs to appreciate the place of the Holy Spirit in his Evangelism. In summary, going on Evangelism without the Holy spirit, is a waste of time and effort. In Acts 10:44 we find the Holy spirit simplifying Peter's message by falling on Peter's audience while Peter was preaching.

While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who were listening to his message.(GNT)

Praise God! What a way to end an outreach!

God Bless You as you share with others.