Should fear play a role in our evangelism?

Is it unloving or sadistic to warn people of God’s wrath when we tell them about the gospel? From one of our Ask R.C. events, R.C. Sproul considers whether fear should play any role in our evangelism.

[aidaubmeg]

Answer yes. "Fear of the Lord is the begining of wisdom"

[donrosscojoe]

"Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."
JOB 28:28

[whatever]

I wish RC was still alive. That way John MacArthur wouldn’t be so alone fighting these battles.

[deborahmaryhobbs]

Turning it over in prayer helps realize that peace within is there due to believe in God.

[CaughtUp]

I was scared to spend an eternity in Hell, so I gave my life to Christ. Love, joy and peace followed my choice. Hallelujah

[jesuschristbiblebiblestudy]

Good discussion. Praise be the Lord. Amen

[Naton]

Yes! i was a false convert because i didn't fear God. Fear did help me wake up

[TBCProductions]

Why would a preacher consider any other way?

Two of the clearest verses in the Scriptures to warn people and use fear as a motivating factor to repent and prevent permanent life in hell.

John 8:24 "I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins."

Ezekiel 18:20 "The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not suffer for the iniquity of the father, nor the father suffer for the iniquity of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself."

[mbgrafix]

*Fear is your friend!*
Without fear, you would foolishly drive down the road at 100 MPH with your eyes closed...or walk along the edge of a 1, 000 foot cliff blindfolded...or even, walk into a raging fire.
You do not do these things because of your close friend, _Fear!_

[melissamorrell]

YES BUT ONLY OF THE LORDS WRATH
IF WE TURN TO WORLDLY PLEASURES ONCE WE ARE INTRODUCED TO GOD PERSONALLY...

[johnnyllooddte]

theres nothing wrong with fear.. we are all motivated by different emotions..some are motivated by joy some by fear

[vusimngomezulu]

Is all deference churches are true Christians according to the bible?

[tomw]

I am a believer. I never understood why God would make people that He intended to send to hell anyway. Before creation no one existed so why did God need to make people just to demonstrate His justice towards them. He could've just not made them.

[lolaguide]

Hope Johnny mac warned trump of the coming judgement...

[MrTotally]

Wow, fear in Evangelism?
Fear is of the essence. This world fears nothing. Why would it? It truly has no fear. It don’t fear Yah/God as it references him. It would treat his sheep well if it feared Him. Does it? Does it treat His sheep well? You know the answer. In all do respect, a worldly education is the directory of a fool. The truth is not for everyone, and everyone won’t know the truth.

[grimlund]

Any belief system that are built up on fear is a religion. Christianity is a religion as any other.

[opmjazzplaylists]

Well this bots are absolutely twrrible, well temptation is everywhere😅

[ELishaJesus]

This all depends upon what hell actually is. If it is an eternal torture chamber then you just made God an immoral monster.

[JohnQPublic]

Apparently this guy doesn't know anything about Reformed Theology. *THERE IS NO WARNING TO BE HEEDED!* On Reformed Theology all of the names of the elect Calvinist lambs were randomly pulled out of the Calvinist Gods fedora *prior to creation* and all of the names of people left were predestined to barbecue in Hell for the Calvinist Gods own good selfish glory and his own good sadistic pleasure.