Sharing Faith Through Actions, Not Words

Christians often desire to influence the world positively, sharing the transformative power of the Gospel with others. Yet, despite our efforts, cultural trends and moral indicators suggest that this influence is waning. From boycotts to protests, many traditional methods of engaging the culture have fallen short, leaving Christians frustrated and nonbelievers wary.

The Problem with Influence

The word "influence" sounds noble, but its implications can feel coercive to those outside the faith. Many nonbelievers perceive Christian efforts to influence culture as pushy, judgmental, or even hypocritical. Comments like “Stop shoving your message down my throat” or “Why are you trying to control me?” reveal a resistance not to the Gospel itself, but to how it is often presented.

This perception is only compounded by decades of entanglement between Christianity and politics. For many in the secular world, Christian influence is equated with attempts to impose a biblically based government, heightening fears of control rather than inspiring hope.

Jesus’ Approach to Influence

When we examine the life of Jesus, we see a starkly different approach. While modern Christianity often prioritizes influence, Jesus prioritized example.

Even when Jesus performed miracles moments that could have catapulted Him to fame. He often withdrew from the spotlight. After healing a leper, He instructed the man, “See that you don’t tell anyone” (Matthew 8:4). After opening the eyes of the blind, “Jesus sternly warned them, ‘See that no one knows about it’” (Matthew 9:30).

Jesus’ actions were deliberate. He didn’t chase influence, even when the crowds clamored for Him to become their king. Instead, He withdrew to solitary places to pray and refocus on His mission (John 6:15).

Why did Jesus avoid influence? Because His goal wasn’t to dominate or coerce; it was to embody a better way. His life demonstrated love, humility, and servanthood qualities that drew people to Him not through power, but through example.

The Failures of Modern Christian Influence

For decades, Christianity in America has tried to influence culture through tactics like boycotts, protests, and public criticism of secular institutions. The results? Minimal, at best. Despite these efforts, the statistics are disheartening:

• 41% of spouses admit to infidelity, despite 90% of Americans believing it’s wrong.

• 75% of employees admit to stealing from their employer.

• 21 billion visits were made to adult websites last year.

These statistics suggest that our efforts to influence culture haven’t produced meaningful change. Instead, many nonbelievers perceive Christians as judgmental or hypocritical, further alienating them from the Gospel.

A Better Way: Lead by Example

Instead of chasing influence, we should follow Jesus’ example and focus on living out our faith authentically. Here’s how:

• Show, Don’t Tell
  Actions speak louder than words. Jesus didn’t just preach about love. He demonstrated it by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and washing His disciples’ feet. By living out our faith through service, kindness, and humility, we can show the world the transformative power of the Gospel.

• Embrace Humility
  Jesus avoided grandstanding and resisted the urge to seek attention for His miracles. We, too, should approach our interactions with humility, prioritizing relationships over arguments and service over self-promotion.

• Love Without Agenda
  True influence comes from genuine love, not hidden motives. When we serve others without expecting anything in return, we reflect Christ’s unconditional love and open the door for meaningful conversations about faith.

• Prioritize Personal Integrity
  Nonbelievers are watching how we live. When our actions align with our beliefs, we build credibility. When they don’t, we risk becoming “modern-day Pharisees,” more concerned with appearances than authenticity.

Conclusion: Influence Through Example

Maybe the problem with modern Christianity isn’t that we lack influence it’s that we’ve been chasing it for the wrong reasons. True influence doesn’t come from power, coercion, or clever marketing campaigns. It comes from living lives that reflect the heart of Christ.

By focusing on being examples rather than influencers, we can show the world a better way. And in doing so, we honor Jesus, whose life of humility and love continues to change hearts and lives, one example at a time.

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