Toward the end of His ministry on earth, Jesus told His disciples – “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” Earlier in His ministry we are told that Jesus “spoke the word to the multitude as they were able to hear it.” When we share God’s Word we need to remember that a person can only bear so much at one time.
The other day, a woman called interested in replicating our DVD’s. I asked her several questions and found out that she was Mormon. I prayed for wisdom. Should I expose their false gospel immediately? The Lord led me to be patient. We spoke for over an hour. Gently, sprinkled through our conversation, I exposed some Mormon error; used the Law to show her that we all need the Savior; explained why Jesus had to be God; and shared the true gospel.
She seemed open and stirred. Had I gone on the offensive immediately, the door would have closed. But by God’s grace she received the truth she could bare at that time. Remember, “a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.” So when you’re sharing, trust the Holy Spirit to speak only what they can bear.