Are They Seeking The Gospel Or Just Seeking You?

Length: 7 minutes

Many people will want one-on-one prayer or counsel from you. It’s important to know whether they’re actually seeking the gospel or they’re just seeking you! The Lord taught me a little trick on how to tell. It’s from Jesus’ interrogation, just before His crucifixion. 

John 18:19-21 (NKJV) The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine. 20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

The high priest was asking about Jesus’ teaching! He was asking about Jesus’ sermons! Surely, this is a witnessing opportunity! But Jesus knew the high priest was not after the gospel. How did Jesus know that the high priest’s motive was skewed? Because, if the high priest truly wanted to learn, he would have been in the synagogue at any given week, listening to the preaching that was already available. There was already so much teaching going forth every week and the high priest never took advantage of it. So, when the high priest wants a one-on-one interview with Jesus, Jesus knew his intentions were not to learn. If the high priest were seeking the truth, he would’ve been in the synagogue each week listening to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus didn’t answer him.

The Lord told me a long time ago that if someone wants a one-on-one session (for prayer or counsel) yet doesn’t take advantage of the things we’re already teaching, then something is wrong with their motive.

There are many people that will give the impression that they’re interested in seeking the Lord, but they don’t take advantage of the preaching of the truth when they have opportunity. Perhaps their church attendance is sporadic. Perhaps they don’t take advantage of listening to teachings online. Perhaps they pass up opportunities to hear the gospel, but they still want a one-on-one counseling session with you! That shows you they’re not truly after the gospel! They may want a quick-fix prayer from you. They may want to be your friend. They may just want an opportunity to complain to you. But if they’re not taking advantage of the opportunities they already have, a one-on-one counseling session is not what they need. They need to “finish the gospel that’s already on their plate, and then you’ll give them more.” But if they’re not already taking advantage of the opportunities they have, providing them with another opportunity to hear the truth is not going to help. You would be wasting your ministry.

Many times, in our zeal, we are eager to speak to or pray for anyone. We will invest hours of time trying to “disciple” someone who is already passing up opportunities to hear the truth – like church, the Bible, or recorded messages. While your excitement to spread the gospel is excellent, your ministry is being wasted if you’re investing it in someone who is already passing up basic opportunities to hear.

One-on-one counseling sessions are only good for people that have already proven they’re willing to hear! When you see someone that is receiving the gospel exceptionally, those are the people to mentor. Those are the people you take under your wing. Those are the people you invest more time into! Not people who are passing up the gospel opportunities they already have!

Granted, some people have not had sufficient opportunity yet! They may have never been to a good church before. They may have never heard about Jesus before! I’m not talking about those people. They need you to speak to them one-on-one for a while. 

I’m talking about someone who is aware of the opportunities to learn, but treat those opportunities lightly. One-on-one prayer and counseling sessions are not profitable for those people. Let them finish the gospel that’s on their plate first.

Let me give you some examples.

We have people that will show up to church and want prayer for various problems. Of course, we encourage people to come for prayer, but some people rarely come to church to hear the preaching (which is the true fix). They only show up when they want prayer. You see, they may give the impression that they’re seeking the Lord, but they actually want you to fix their problem. They think your prayer is going to change their life, instead of the knowledge of Jesus.

Over the years, we’ve had many people request counseling for specific problems. They have problems with their kids, problems with finances or bad habits. We’re not quick to give one-on-one counseling if someone hasn’t taken advantage of the gospel we’ve already taught! So, we will direct them to listen to certain messages online first. When people don’t take that advice, it shows us that they’re not after the gospel as their solution. They’re putting their trust in us, as if we are the fix, but their answer is not with us. It’s with the truth of Jesus! 

Some people may think that’s insensitive, but that’s exactly what Jesus did. What did He do when the high priest wanted a one-on-one interview with Him, without listening to the weekly preaching in the synagogue? First of all, Jesus didn’t answer His questions one-on-one. That’s a great example for us. Jesus knew the gospel was the solution and if someone is already refusing that, they must be after something else.

But what did Jesus do? He directed the high priest to listen to all the past recordings of His sermons! You may say, “Jesus didn’t have recordings of His sermons,” but He did. All the people that already heard Jesus’ teaching had those teachings recorded in their heart. Jesus advised the high priest to go back and listen to those who heard the message. 

John 18:21 (NKJV) Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me [Jesus’ recorded sermons] what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

Jesus knew, if someone passes up the gospel but wants a one-on-one session with you, their motive must be wrong. In the case of the high priest, his motivation was to trap Jesus in His words. Some people’s motivation is companionship. Some people’s motivation is their trust in you. Regardless, if they pass up the gospel but want one-on-one help from you, their motivation is clearly not for the truth.

You don’t need to be rude to people, but you do need to do what Jesus did and direct them back to the “gospel opportunities” they’ve already passed up. If someone comes sporadically to church or is passing up opportunities, just tell them:

“I know you’re going through problems, but the only solution to your problems (or mine) is learning what Jesus did about it. No prayer from me is going to give you long-lasting results. And the only counsel I would give is the truth of Jesus. Keep coming to church with me. Read your Bible. Start in Ephesians (or your recommendation). And here is some material to listen to. If you think on these things long-term, you WILL (guaranteed) see change in your life. Let me know when you’ve finished this and I will show you what to listen to next.”

John 8:32 (NKJV) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 17:17 (NKJV) Sanctify them [separate them from problems] by Your truth. Your word is truth.

After that, the ball is in their court. You haven’t left them without a solution. You’ve given them the ONLY solution there is. Now, you’re waiting on them to take the first step (and pray for them – not in desperation but in thankfulness to the Lord, who is able to work in their heart).

Of course, if someone has never been to church or is not accustomed to hearing the gospel, they need you to witness to them one-on-one. They haven’t had sufficient opportunity yet. But once someone has heard the truth and is passing it up, keep directing them back to truth they’ve already refused. 

To entertain all their requests would not be loving them, because you’d be giving them the impression that you are their answer. That’s equal to lying. All the while, you’re not their answer. The truth of Jesus is. Stick to that. Show them that in your example. The most loving thing you can do is point people to what truly helps them – learning Jesus.

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