It’s the holiday season and many people flock to Wal-Mart to get their gifts and groceries. Imagine if every Christian were to make the most of every opportunity this holiday season and boldly testify about our Lord! Faithful ambassadors speaking Truth in and out of season! (2 Tim 4:2) That kind of obedience to the Great Commission would turn our cities upside down. (Acts 5:28) Here are a few tips you can try next time you visit your local Wal-Mart for the glory of God:
1- This first tip is the most important because without it you won’t be motivated to witness to the lost. As you leave the comfort of your home and journey to the store, arm yourself with the mindset that people are perishing. Remind yourself of the fact that the whole world lies under the control of the evil one. (1 John 5:19) Remember that unbelievers are blinded by the god of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4) Realize that lost people are taken captive by the devil to do his will and that unless the Lord grants them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the Truth, they will perish. (2 Timothy 2:26) If this does not shake you up, there is something terribly wrong in your own heart. Paul had unceasing anguish and great sorrow in his heart at the thought of people going to Hell. (Romans 9:2-3) The horrifying reality that people live as enemies of God drove the Apostle Paul to tears. (Philippians 3:18) If we are not sober-minded, then we will are simply drunk in distractions and we will not open our mouths for the Lord.
2- Park towards the back of the parking lot so that you can pass out tracts on your way into the store. When I go to Wal-Mart, I will sometimes place tracts on driver’s side doors of cars. Sometimes on my way into the store, I will see people loading groceries into their car so I’ll offer to take their cart back for them and leave them with a gospel tract. I did this for a man once and we talked for a long time right there in the parking lot.
3 – Smile and be friendly! After all we are celebrating a day of giving thanks and the glorious birth of our Lord! The joy of the Lord is our strength, right? When you smile and greet people around the store, it can open a door into a conversation and it will help you get out of your comfort zone. Let’s be honest, sometimes smiling at someone you don’t know is challenging simply because we live in a culture where it’s practically a crime to say hi!
4 – Find people to chat with and be intentional about it. When you see someone standing around, just say to them, “Happy Thanksgiving!” or in a few weeks, “Merry Christmas! Hey, did you get one of these yet? It’s a gospel tract. What do you think happens after death?” Most people will answer with what they believe and will be willing to have a conversation. I did this in the magazine secion to a girl last week and we had a 15 minute conversation. She was convinced she was a good person so I took her through the Law to show her the true nature of her sin and then shared the Good News. I didn’t get stoned or beheaded. It was great.
5- Often times when we venture out to witness, we think of worst-case scenarios: What will they do to me? What if I get yelled at? What if I get punched? Change your thinking – Instead of thinking of your worst-case scenario (rejection), think of their worst-case scenario (Hell for eternity). Swallow your fear and go for it! Let compassion for the lost drive you.
6- Place tracts in soda and beer boxes. Nice little gifts for them! Tis the season for giving, right?
Remember that you are Christ’s ambassador as though God were making His appeal through you. Plead with people on Christ’s behalf to be reconciled to God. God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21)
I love the testimony of Paul when we he was in Athens. It says that he reasoned in the marketplace (Wal-Mart) with those who happened to be there. (Acts 17:17) Paul knew that God placed them there for a reason, so he was faithful to share the Gospel with them.
Go for it, friend. The Lord is with you.
May the store intercom blare out, “Revival on aisle 7!”
Acts 5:42, Philemon 6
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