* Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you. Realize that God is the only One who can see inside people’s hearts to know what they truly need, so you should ask His Spirit to pray through you as you pray for other people. Be sensitive to how the Spirit leads you as you talk with people about the Gospel: If you have a sense of God’s peace, then proceed. But if you sense God’s restraint, stop and wait for His better timing or His change of direction. Remember that only the Holy Spirit can reveal Jesus to others, and if the Spirit isn’t leading you, your evangelism efforts won’t be effective. Trust the Spirit to guide you so you will be effective.

* Respect people’s boundaries and read their spiritual barometers. Be sure to respect people’s personal boundaries when evangelizing, so they don’t feel threatened or pressured. Rather than jumping in with too much too soon, earn their trust over time. Read people’s spiritual barometers – where they are with God. Pay attention to the cues people give you that indicate how ready they are to respond to the Gospel. If they don’t show any interest, don’t push. Be patient and sensitive as you watch for a better time. Feel free to ask them open-ended questions to encourage them to think more about spiritual matters, but be gentle when doing so, and don’t keep asking if they change the subject. Avoid arguments; simply state what you believe quietly and confidently, and show respect for what others believe, even when you disagree with their beliefs. Know that others will likely be willing to listen and seriously consider your beliefs if you’re not combative. When people share their needs with you, ask if they would like you to pray about those needs. Make it a high priority to establish loving relationships with people.

* Build godly character. Remember that your life communicates a message to everyone you encounter. Make it your goal to live a life that reveals your faith loud and clear. Repent from trying to run your own life and give God control over every aspect of it. Invite God to transform your character so that you become more and more like Jesus, so other people can recognize Him at work in you and be drawn to Him themselves. Whenever you suffer, trust Jesus in the process to inspire others to trust Him during their own times of suffering. Whenever you struggle with sin, pursue God’s healing so that you can then point others toward the hope that only God can give. Break your bad habits by replacing them with good habits. Whenever you fail, turn to God for His help so others can see that they can rely on His help in their own lives. Ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind so you can get rid of negative attitudes and thought patterns that don’t align with God’s Word. Pray for the Spirit to fill your mind with positive, truthful thoughts. Remember that, while God accepts you as you are, He loves you too much to leave you that way. Welcome His discipline when it comes, trusting that He is fulfilling good purposes in your life. Understand that character is much more important than charisma, because God values the type of person you are on the inside more than your outward appearance. Instead of worrying about impressing others with your natural abilities or credentials, focus on pleasing God by becoming the kind of person He wants you to become.