In this blogpost, I share a real-life moment from Surfers Paradise that left me wrestling with mixed emotions — and what it taught me about speaking truth with both courage and compassion. Discover why the gospel itself offends our natural pride, how to examine our own motives, and three simple, practical strategies to present Christ in a way that draws people in rather than pushing them away.
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:15 (ESV)
I was wandering through the throng of schoolies celebrations in Surfers Paradise when I saw him — a lone man perched on an upturned milk crate, cardboard sign held high: “Repent now or get burned in hell!” A messy swirl of feelings hit me at once. There was the awkward flush of second-hand embarrassment for the guy, a quiet respect for the raw courage behind his zeal, and a genuine ache of worry that his words might slam shut more doors than they opened. The message carried a kernel of biblical urgency, yet it landed like a blunt instrument — no context, no visible compassion, just a stark warning shouted into the holiday chaos. It felt less like an invitation and more like a barricade.
That moment stayed with me. Not because I wanted to criticise the man, but because it forced me to look in the mirror. When we Christians open our mouths (or lift our signs) to speak about God, how do we actually come across? Are we adding unnecessary offence to a message that is already confronting enough?
The gospel is offensive to our natural pride. It flatly declares that we cannot fix ourselves, that our finest moral efforts are still filthy rags, and that every one of us needs rescuing by a Saviour we did not earn. It humbles us to the dust. Yet while that offence belongs to the message itself, we must never confuse it with the clumsy offence we sometimes layer on top through our tone, attitude, or lack of care.
So I began with the sign. Stripped of relationship or explanation, it came across as raw condemnation rather than a loving warning. It stirred what felt like misplaced harshness. And it quietly asked a sharper question of me: When I share God’s Word with someone, what am I actually trying to achieve? Am I hoping for a transformed heart, or am I just relieving my own conscience? That question pushed me to examine my own heart — something far easier than guessing the motives of a stranger on a crate. When I quote a Bible verse or speak about Jesus, am I offering it as a precious gift, convinced that God’s Word carries the power to soften even the hardest heart? Or am I secretly feeding a desire to feel spiritually superior, to “win” the conversation, or to prove I’m the more committed Christian? Scripture won’t let us dodge this self-check. Proverbs 16:2 says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.” Jeremiah 17:9 is brutally honest: “The heart is deceitful above all things.” And 1 Thessalonians 2:4 reminds us that our ultimate audience is God, who tests our hearts. Even Paul rejoiced when Christ was preached, regardless of motive — but he also urged us to speak from pure hearts (Philippians 1:15-18)
Where to start
A simple, daily discipline helps guard against this: pray before, during, and after every gospel conversation. Ask for wisdom, for real love toward the person in front of you, and for them to see Christ, not just your opinions. That prayer leads to a wonderfully freeing truth: Ultimately, it is the Spirit who opens hearts and convicts (John 16:8). Our role is not to manufacture results through volume or clever arguments. We are simply called to be faithful and loving. The outcomes are God’s. To make this practical, here are three effective evangelism strategies that any Christian can begin practising straight away — especially those of us who want to move beyond the crate-and-sign approach:
- Listen first, speak second
Spend the first half of any conversation asking gentle, curious questions about the person’s life, struggles, and hopes. People open up when they feel truly heard. Only after listening do you earn the right to say, “That reminds me of something I’ve discovered in the Bible that’s helped me…” This turns a monologue into a genuine dialogue and removes the “Bible bashing” vibe instantly. - Share your own story as a bridge
Instead of launching into abstract theology, tell the honest, short version of how you realised you needed Jesus. “Here’s where I was stuck… here’s what changed when I met Christ…” Vulnerability disarms pride on both sides. It shows you’re not claiming moral high ground — you’re just another person who needed grace. - Invite one step, not a leap
Don’t try to wrap everything up in one conversation. Offer a small, low-pressure next step: “Would you be up for grabbing a coffee and reading one short Bible passage together?” or “I’d love to hear what you think about this story from the Gospels.” Small steps build trust and let the Spirit do His unhurried work.
In the end, the goal is always the same: to point people to Jesus — the kindest, wisest, and most loving person who ever lived. He never shied away from truth, yet He drew sinners with compassion, shared meals with the messy, and gave His life for those who would reject Him. When our sharing flows from hearts captured by that same love, the only offence left will be the beautiful, life-giving offence of the cross itself. May we walk away from Surfers Paradise — and every ordinary street we walk — determined to guard our motives, trust the Spirit, and present the gospel with both courage and care.
Further Reading & Resources To go deeper in sharing the gospel with both conviction and compassion, I recommend these helpful books:
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God by J.I. Packer
A classic that balances God’s sovereignty with our responsibility to share the gospel faithfully and prayerfully.
How to Talk about Jesus (Without Being THAT Guy) by Sam Chan
Practical, down-to-earth wisdom for sharing faith in today’s culture without coming across as pushy or superior.
Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl
Helpful strategies for navigating difficult questions with gentleness and respect while staying faithful to the truth.
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