Jesus gives His followers insight into sharing the gospel. He tells them to evaluate the receptiveness of the hearers.

“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” (Matt 10:14)

The truth is, not everyone who hears the message of salvation will respond. That’s very difficult for hearts who’ve been changed by the Blood of the Lamb to understand.

We certainly don’t know another’s heart, but we can prayerfully ask the Lord to help us know when to speak, when to be quiet, and when to walk away. Perhaps, one day they will respond. Perhaps, they will receive truth spoken through someone else. Perhaps the time is just not yet.

We cannot know but we can understand our God is a pursuing God. He is at work in ways we cannot see. Our job is simply to stay connected to Him as willing vessels so that when He wants to speak and work through us, He can.

We must also understand, Matthew 10:16–we are being sent out as sheep among wolves and are to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Jesus goes on to say that men will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. (v 17).

Persecution is coming from the government, and even religious institutions, for those who seek to follow Christ in the narrow way.

These words seem especially relevant and possible in our world today. It’s hard to think about being persecuted for trying to share the good news of Jesus with others, but it’s happening around the world and increasingly in the United States.

But Jesus also takes the time to encourage us, telling us persecution will happen so we will be “a testimony” to them (10:19) and we shouldn’t worry about how or what we should speak, for it will be given to us in that hour by the Holy Spirit (10:20).

God will do what He always does. He will work in and through His people during hard days to advance His Kingdom.

Our job is to simply to stay connected to the source of our strength and allow Him to direct every word and every step.

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