DEBUNKED: 17 Most Common Excuses for Keeping Quiet About Jesus

95% of Christians never tell another person about Jesus.

Isn’t that horrifying? They know the way to Heaven, the Answer to all life’s problems, their Best Friend; and yet they’re too chicken to tell another soul about it.

These are the 17 most common excuses people use to justify their silence, and I’m going to debunk every single one of them today… with Scripture.

1. I’M TOO SHY

I’m the shyest person there is. I actually have to be bribed to talk to my own grandparents.

So how am I able to walk up to total strangers, witness to Muslims, speak to entire parties, and get up and preach before thousands of people and millions on live television?

That’s not my own ability. It’s only by the boldness of the Holy Ghost.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me… to the end of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)

Shortly after the disciples received the Holy Spirit, Peter—who denied three times to girls that he even knew Jesus—was able to get up and preach to thousands of people. He was only able to do that by the boldness the Holy Spirit gives when He lives inside of you.

You may be shy about going up to people and talking to them. Believe me, I know all about it. But when you’ve got the boldness of the Holy Ghost inside of you, you’ll be amazed at the things you’re empowered to do.

The righteous are as bold as a lion.
(Proverbs 28:1)

(Being righteous simply means “in right standing with God”—if you’re saved, that’s you! If you’re not saved, check this out.)

2. I’M TOO NERVOUS

Shyness and nervousness… some of the biggest things I have to overcome in life.

I’ll literally pace back and forth and moan nervously. Sometimes I’ll tremble. And my stomach will most definitely twist itself into knots a sailor would envy. My nerves are the worst!

But there’s nothing about my nervousness that Jesus can’t help me overcome to reach someone and tell them about Him.

I’M BEGGING TO BE PINNED. JUST HOVER OVER ME!

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3)

If you trust in God, He’ll back you up and keep you in peace.

3. I DON’T WANT TO BE PERSECUTED

Persecution is promised to us.

And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.
(Matthew 10:22)

I receive persecution on a weekly basis. Some of it makes me die laughing (I could tell you some stories… ?). Some of it is really discouraging. Some of it hurts.

But let me tell you something; rejoice when persecution comes.

Jesus promises,

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
(Matthew 5:11-12)

Oh my gosh, that encourages me so much. ☺

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
(Mark 10:29-30)

Yes, persecution is going to come. There are literally people who do nothing but sit around and want to pick arguments with you or release their uneducated insults (someone once called my work “unproffessional”… and they misspelled it ?) on you.

But rejoice when that happens, because they persecuted the prophets, and they persecuted Jesus.

Jesus calls you blessed for enduring that for His sake; not only will you receive hundred-fold blessings here on earth… but man, is your reward in Heaven ever going to put the haters to shame!

I’M BEGGING TO BE PINNED. JUST HOVER OVER ME!

Persecution is a great sign that lets you know you’re actually doing such damage to the kingdom of darkness that the devil is desperately trying to stop what you’re doing.

You can’t make an impact flying under the radar.

The critics are going to say what they’re going to say. But greater is He who is in us than he (the devil) who is in them:

See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing.
(Isaiah 41:11)

(Daaang.)

Living in a country with freedom of religion and speech, they can’t shut us up unless we let them. People give their lives for the Gospel’s sake in foreign nations—I think we can take a couple cuss words and first world problems.

Persecution is no reason for silence. It’s an honor and a privilege to bear the world’s hatred for the Name of Jesus!

4. I’M AFRAID

People can be afraid of many things on this list. Judgement, persecution, loss of friendships.

But whew, there are so many epic Scriptures on overcoming fear. Here’s just a few.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
“See, all your angry enemies lie there,
confused and humiliated.
Anyone who opposes you will die
and come to nothing.
You will look in vain
for those who tried to conquer you.
Those who attack you
will come to nothing.
For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the Lord your God.
And I say to you,
Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
(Isaiah 41:10-13)

That’s probably, like, the most encouraging and empowering passage of verses ever. God just holds our hand and says “Hey! I’m on your side and here to help. Don’t be afraid! Watch Me crush those obstacles to dust.”

To grant us that we… might serve Him without fear.
(Luke 1:74)

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
(Matthew 10:28)

So what if they kill us? What’s so bad about going to Heaven?

Hint: Not a thing.

But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”
(Matthew 8:26)

The less faith in Jesus we have, the more afraid we are.

Fear is simply false evidence appearing real. With Jesus, that false evidence disappears.

Fear is also a spirit from the devil to keep us from telling the world about Jesus. It needs to be told to get the heck out.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
(2 Timothy 1:7)

5. I’M DISQUALIFIED

“But… I’m, like, 12.”

“I haven’t been to Bible school.”

“I’m not licensed or ordained or anything.”

Nonsense! Flush that poopoo down the toilet. God has licensed you!

You think God’s ability to use you is limited by the things you think are disqualifications? We serve a way mightier God than that, my friend.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
(Mark 16:15)

The “them” is you! Not “the qualified” or “the adults”. You.

Jesus wouldn’t have given us the Great Commission if we weren’t able to fulfill it. If you will let Him, God will use you. He’s so much more powerful than what you think may disqualify you.

If you have a desire to be used of God, be open to the Holy Spirit and watch the lives that will be touched through yours. The world has yet to see what a young or old man, woman, teen, or child fully sold-out for God can do.

The whole world’s waiting on you; the only one holding you back is yourself!

I wrote an entire post about it here. Think God Can’t Use You? Think Again.

6. NO ONE WILL LISTEN

Not being heard is no reason for silence.

We’re told to go and to tell people about Jesus. Whether or not they accept Him is their choice. It’s not our job to get them saved; we’re just messengers.

Besides all the incredible tactics you can use to draw sinners in, if people are really not listening, that’s not your fault; and not a valid excuse.

After they hear the Gospel, they will have no excuse, either.

They will either stand before God and answer them that they flat-out rejected their Son or rejoice that they accepted the opportunity to get saved and that their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Whether or not they accept the Gospel, tell them anyway. That’s all Jesus said to do. He didn’t say “get the entire world saved” (though obviously, that’s what we want to happen). He just said to preach the Gospel and give people the opportunity.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
(Mark 16:15)

7. NO ONE IS INTERESTED

People are depressed. People are hurting. They are broken. People without Jesus are on a slow descent to hell. They turn to relationships, drugs, alcohol, pornography, turn gay, attempt to change their genders and all kinds of sin to try to fill something only Jesus can fill.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
(John 10:10)

Think they’re interested in the Answer to all life’s problems?

Heck yeah.

(And if they believe lies and reject Him anyway, that’s their problem and they’ll have to answer to God for that. If God leads you to, keep witnessing to them, but other than that, let the Holy Spirit deal with them and move on.)

8. NO ONE WILL GET SAVED

I’ve only had one day in my entire life where I went to the park and neighborhoods to witness and everyone I talked to rejected Jesus. On top of that, I’ve never had an online campaign fail to bring anyone to Jesus.

“I’m in a desperate situation! … but let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great. Do not let me fall into human hands.”
(2 Samuel 24:14)

People are desperate for Jesus, even if they don’t know that it’s Him they’re desperate for. They’re obviously desperate for something, right? All that sin isn’t filling the hole.

Yes, people will get saved. I promise you.

If you go twelve months preaching the Gospel to people and not a single person accepts Jesus, tell me and I’ll resign the ministry.

(It ain’t gonna happen.)

((Granted, you have to be doing it in a way that will produce results. Having theological arguments with Muslims probably won’t get you anywhere. Just walk up to people and read them this script. I guarantee you it works.))

9. RELIGION IS PRIVATE

No, religion is not private. Muslims aren’t quiet about their beliefs; why should we be?

If you knew the cure to the entire world’s illnesses, what kind of moron would keep that to himself and watch people suffer and die?

Jesus and Jesus alone is the answer. He’s the only way people can live truly abundant lives, and the only way for us to go to Heaven.

And might I add that Christianity is not a religion, it’s a relationship.

I’M BEGGING TO BE PINNED. JUST HOVER OVER ME!

And just because I love this quote so much too…

I’M BEGGING TO BE PINNED. JUST HOVER OVER ME!

It’s against a Christian’s beliefs to keep quiet about their beliefs.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
(Mark 16:15)

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
(Matthew 28:18-20)

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.
(John 20:21)

10. I’LL BE JUDGED

Look. The longer you live life, the more you’ll realize that God and His approval are all that really matter.

This is God’s promise to you:

Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 10:32-33)

Plus… they already think you’re crazy. “You believe in only one way to get to Heaven?! You closed-minded, judgmental jerk!”

Might as well be known for being crazy for everything.

“You believe in only way to get to Heaven? And you tell everyone you know about Jesus? Even total strangers? … I wish I was like you.”

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.
(Romans 1:16)

11. I DON’T WANT TO OFFEND ANYBODY

This whole “I don’t want to offend anybody” thing has gone absolutely insane.

And it’s not valid at all. Because just that very sentence offends me. Bam, the non-offensive agenda just failed.

I’M BEGGING TO BE PINNED. JUST HOVER OVER ME!

You aren’t going to change lives by trying to be a people-pleaser. Be a God-pleaser, and He will reward you.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
(Psalm 37:4)

Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
(Matthew 6:4)

12. I DON’T HAVE A REASON TO SHARE

People who have no reason to share about Jesus obviously don’t have a real relationship Him.

They’re mediocre Christians going to church on Sunday mornings because their parents make them go and live the rest of the week doing stuff that breaks God’s heart.

What’s the solution to seeing Jesus as He really is and getting so excited you have to tell someone or you’ll explode?

Spending time with God. Every day. Walking with God is by far life’s greatest adventure.

He’ll show you things you’ve never seen. He’ll tell you things you’ve never heard. He’ll take you places you’ve never been.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
(1 Corinthians 2:9)

You can only get to what God’s prepared for you when you “plug in” to His plans for your life, not yours.

13. I DON’T FEEL LED TO

You wanna feel led? Put a pencil in your pocket. There, now you feel lead.

Now, obviously, you want to obey the lead of the Holy Spirit and do what He tells you to do. But if you’re really in tune to His voice, He’s never going to tell you to live your Christian life and never tell anybody about Jesus.

He’s always going to be pushing you beyond what you think you can do, like a sports coach.

But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.
(John 14:26)

Awww, the Holy Spirit is so nice.

14. PEOPLE AREN’T REALLY IN DANGER OF GOING TO HELL

I don’t care what religious leader announces there is no hell. Jesus said there’s a hell.

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.
(Matthew 5:30)

Not all paths lead to the same place! If I take you down to the bus station and we each go on separate busses, we are going to end up at two completely different places.

Jesus didn’t say He was a way to Heaven. He said he was the Way.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(John 14:6)

If people reject Jesus Christ and die without Him in their heart, they’re sending themselves to hell.

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
(Proverbs 16:25)

Yes, people are in danger of going to hell. God doesn’t predestine people to get saved. If He did, He wouldn’t have given us the Great Commission. He has predestined paths for the saved and the wicked, but which path you take is your choice.

I once talked to a kid who said he wanted to go to hell. Oh, yeah? Stick your arm into an open flame and see how well you like that, buddy.

I’M BEGGING TO BE PINNED. JUST HOVER OVER ME!

We don’t want even our worst enemy to go to hell. We want to take everyone we can with us.

15. I DON’T KNOW HOW

Walk up to a random person and read ’em this script. Problem solved!

No, seriously. I have a post coming up in a couple weeks called 17 Epic Ways to Tell Someone About Jesus.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
(Hosea 4:6)

Lack of knowledge is no excuse. Ask around. Research. Read the Bible. Pray! The Holy Spirit gives me more ideas than I can even handle.

16. STRANGER DANGER

This only makes sense if you’re going around and witnessing to people outside your house. And it’s easily solved by partnering up. I knock on doors or go to the park and witness with a buddy and my mom watching us.

(Plus, witnessing with friends is twice the fun.)

One [can] chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight.
(Deuteronomy 32:30)

17. I WOULDN’T REACH ANYONE

You shall be witnesses to Me … to the end of the earth.
(Acts 1:8)

Oh, you’ll reach a ton of people.

If you have a desire to reach people for Jesus and give Him your all, He’ll take you places you’ve never dreamed.

But first, be faithful over the little things. Keep witnessing even when not many people are getting saved or no one seems to notice. God sees what you do in secret, and He doesn’t let that go in vain.

My very first evangelistic videos got maybe 100 or 200 views. My latest has over 675,000 views and is on its way to a million.

But the passion for seeing lost people get their lives changed has never wavered.

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
(Galatians 6:9)

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There is no reason for a Christian to ever shut up about the One made a way for us to live an abundant life and have eternal salvation.

We need to shout the Name of Jesus from the rooftops. If the people around us don’t know we’re radical, on-fire believers, there’s a problem.

Jesus deserves all the praise, all the glory, all the honor, and our very best.

Here’s to letting all the world know!

HAVE YOU EVER TOLD SOMEONE ABOUT JESUS?