Cod Liver Oil Coercion

When the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proeeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. - John 15:26


A woman bought a b0ttle of cod liver oil to give her dog so he could have a healthier and shinier coat. Every morning, she pried the dog's jaws open and forced the liquid down his throat. He strunggled, but she persisted. He doesn't know what's good for him! she thought. Faithfully, each day she repeated the process.

One day, however, the bottle tipped over and she released her grip on the dog for just a moment to wipe up the mess. The dog sniffed at the fishy liquid and began lapping up what she had spilled. He actually loved the stuff. He had simply objected to being coerced!

Sometimes we use a similar method in telling others about Christ. Called buttonholing, it's an intense, in-your-face kind of confrontation. While earnestly desiring to share the gospel, we may end up repelling people instead. In our sincere but overly enthusiatic attempt, we create resistance.

We are called to share the good news, but we are not responsible for someone's acceptance or rejection of Christ. It's not our job to try to convict someone of sin. That's the Holy Spirit's responsibility (John 16:8).

As you tell others of Christ's sacrifice, be sensitive. Know when to slow down and let God and His Word do the convicting and drawing to Himself. - Cindy Hess Kasper


The Spirit's role is to convict
THe world of all their sin
So they will seek forgiveness and
Be cleansed and changed within. - Sper

The Spirit convicts so that Christ might cleanse.

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