Tactics and Tools

Quick Thought: Rules of Engagement

Author Tim Barnett Published on 06/12/2015

There are two basic rules of engagement that must be remembered when discussing your spiritual and moral convictions. Here are the rules:

Rule #1: If you get angry, you lose.

Rule #2: If they get angry, you lose.

Basically, if either of you get angry, you lose. I need to offer one clarification. These rules apply to the messenger, not the message. There is nothing you can do if the message offends the person and they get upset. This is the nature of the message that the Christian is called to communicate. But the Christian ambassador needs to do everything within his power to be gracious, winsome, and attractive in the way they communicate the message so that they are not offensive. The gospel is offensive enough; we don’t need to add offense to it.

Remember, if you get angry, you make the Christian message and Christ look unattractive. Conversely, if you are offensive and they get angry, you make the message and Christ look unattractive.