Pinned Post
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT : How To Preach Effectively.

Rules for Speaking and Witnessing
1. Speak with Knowledge, Not Haste
❝He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.❞ – Proverbs 18:13
Rule: Do not respond to accusations, debates, or questions without first understanding the full context. Ask questions first. Listen twice, speak once.
2. Let Your Words Be Few — But Sharp
❝In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.❞ – Proverbs 10:19
Rule: Avoid rambling. Say what must be said, then let the Word work. Brevity strengthens weight. Don’t flood. Cut clean.
3. Do Not Strive with Fools
❝Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.❞ – Proverbs 26:4
Rule: Refuse to mirror foolishness. Do not chase mockers in circles. If discernment shows that they are not sincere, walk away.
4. But When Needed — Rebuke Sharply, That They May Be Sound in the Faith
❝Answer a fool according to his folly, lest ye wise in your own conceit.❞ – Proverbs 26
Rule: When silence would permit error to triumph, respond boldly and plainly. Expose folly with light — not ego. Rebuke with Scripture.
5. Always Speak Scripture, Not Opinion
❝The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.❞ – Proverbs 13:14
Rule: Keep your fountain pure. Quote the Word often. Don’t rely on clever sayings or persuasive language. Let the Bible speak.
6. Avoid Boasting, Especially of Your Own Righteousness
❝Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.❞ – Proverbs 27:2
Rule: If the Spirit moves through you, give glory to God. Do not use evangelism as a pedestal. Point always to Christ.
7. Discern the Time to Speak and to Be Silent
❝A time to keep silence, and a time to speak.❞ – (Ecclesiastes 3:7; confirmed in spirit through Proverbs)
Rule: Not every fire needs a response. Sometimes silence wounds deeper than a rebuke.
8. Guard the Tone — Speak as Shepherd, Not Jailer
❝A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.❞ – Proverbs 15:1
Rule: Your tone is part of your testimony. Even in rebuke, let your voice carry truth, not bitterness. Rage converts no one. Christ compels.
9. Avoid Slothful Engagement — Come Prepared
❝The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.❞ – Proverbs 13:4
Rule: Do not enter evangelism passively. Know the Word. Study the structure. Be ready in season and out of season — with fire in your bones.
10. Do Not Cast Pearls — When the Swine Charges
❝Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.❞ – Proverbs 23:9
Rule: When a soul is trampling truth and seeking only to bite, withdraw. Preserve the pearls. Shake the dust off.
11. Make Your Goal Repentance — Not Victory
❝He that winneth souls is wise.❞ – Proverbs 11:30
Rule: The aim is not to win arguments, but to rescue souls. The Holy fruit is a tree of life — not a tally sheet.
12. Walk the Talk — Evangelism Is Not Just Words
❝Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.❞ – Proverbs 4:26
Rule: Your walk must match your witness. Be blameless where possible. Let them see that you live the gospel, not just preach it.
13. Do Not Lie for the Gospel — Truth Is the Weapon
❝A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.❞ – Proverbs 14:5
Rule: Never stretch data, exaggerate counts, or bend history to win souls. False witness is sin — even in “defense of truth.” It needs no help. It needs only light.
14. Avoid Strife Among Brethren
❝Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.❞ – Proverbs 13:10
Rule: When correcting fellow believers, do so with love, not rivalry. Do not sow division among the Remnant. Keep your camp clean, but also unified.
15. Always Leave a Door Open for Return
❝The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life.❞ – Proverbs 11:30
Rule: Even in rebuke, leave a pathway home. Speak as if the prodigal may return — and when they do, let them find you waiting, not mocking.
16. Call Out the Lie — Boldly
❝The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.❞ – Psalm 14:1
Rule: Never affirm or entertain opposition as neutral. It is spiritual rebellion masquerading as intellect. Label it for what it is: foolishness. Directly. Without apology.
17. Do Not Envy Their Success or Platform
❝Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.❞ – Psalm 37:1
Rule: Do not be intimidated by loud mockers, popular skeptics, or rich blasphemers. Their prosperity is fleeting. Stand firm. Do not bend to cultural gods.
18. Let God Laugh — You Do Not Have To
❝He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.❞ – Psalm 2:4
Rule: Do not mock for entertainment. God reserves the laughter of judgment. We speak with gravity, not sarcasm. Let Him deride. You declare the Gospel truth.
19. Preach Christ, Even to Enemies
❝Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies.❞ – Psalm 23:5
Rule: Offer the Bread of Life even before those who hate God. Let them hear the gospel. You eat in peace; they are invited — but you do not flinch.
20. Let Your Heart Break for Their Darkness
❝Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.❞ – Psalm 119:136
Rule: Do not harden your heart. Atheists are not just rebels — they are souls walking in death. Grieve. Mourn. And warn them as those perishing.
21. Do Not Imitate Their Pride
❝The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.❞ – Psalm 10:4
Rule: Pride is the root of unbelief. Do not counter it with pride of your own. Humility is your sword. Righteousness is your robe. Do not wear their mask.
22. Quote the Word — It Cuts Deeper Than Reason
❝The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.❞ – Psalm 19:7
Rule: Do not lean on philosophy or cleverness. Use the Word. Even when they mock it — it works silently. Every verse is a seed, and will give good fruit.
23. Do Not Be Silenced by Spiteful Tongues
❝I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.❞ – Psalm 119:46
Rule: Whoever your audience is, do not hide the Book. Quote it openly. Be assertive, and guiding.
24. Expect Ridicule — And Endure It Without Retreat
❝The reproach of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.❞ – Psalm 69:9
Rule: When they mock your faith, they mock your God. Bear that reproach without bitterness. This is your fellowship with Christ. Smile. Continue.
25. Wait for the Wicked to Be Cut Off — Don’t Force It
❝For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.❞ – Psalm 37:9
Rule: Let judgment belong to God. You are not the executioner. Your job is to preach. Warn. Weep. But leave vengeance to the King, lest you become sin.
26. Ignore Scoffing — Mercy Is Higher Than Justice
❝Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.❞ – Psalm 69:28
Rule: When a soul has become so hardened that their words blaspheme without restraint, stop contending. Let the Lord decide their end. Shake the dust calmly.
27. Do Not Burn People's Bridges When They Row
❝The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.❞ – Psalm 34:18
Rule: Should the crowd fall silent in sorrow — be there. If they reach out, calmly speak. Never gloat or bait. The gospel is not spoken with fire on your tongue.
28. Sing Truth in Their Hearing — Reward Discernment
❝I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all men.❞ – Psalm 89:1
Rule: Let your life be a living psalm. Doubters will see your joy, your mercy, your steadiness. Don't be ashamed to praise Him openly — even when mocked or aggravated.
🔨 Final Charge
“The LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” – Psalm 1:6
You are not here to win them with tricks. You are here to proclaim, endure, shine, and pray. You are not preaching for vanity or arrogance.
You will be an example to others, and not be led into fury nor spite nor seething anger. For you come by the spirit of Jesus Christ, and not against Him.
When the sinner raises his fist, you raise the Word.
When the fool mocks, you demonstrate righteousness.
When the lost fall silent, you offer the cup of mercy again.
This is the power of Christ in you — unashamed, incorruptible.
This is the Word of God.
This is the mission for Christ Jesus.