When I first got serious about evangelism in my 20’s I had the opportunity to share the gospel with two of my coworkers.

My experience with the first one could not have gone any better. He listened intently, demonstrated conviction, and placed his trust in Christ. I was overjoyed and believed my entire workplace would soon come to Christ.

The next day I shared the gospel with another coworker using the same method I had used with the first. He looked bored, then disgruntled, and finally told me what I said was ridiculous.

Based on the second person’s response, I became discouraged. I felt I was not good enough, articulate enough, or spiritual enough to share the gospel effectively. I was convinced that I had failed and took the responsibility for his refusal upon my shoulders. I avoided sharing the gospel because I did not want to “fail” again.

I wish I could travel back in time and tell myself then what I know now. That is when I share the gospel and someone says “No,” I have not failed, but have succeeded regardless of the person’s response.

Here are 4 Biblical reasons why:

1. Many said “no” to Jesus. Jesus made it clear that if people rejected Him, they would reject us as well.

Remember the word that I said to you: “servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” John 15:20

If people rejected, even persecuted, the perfect Son of God, the same will hold true for the servants of God.

2. People respond differently to the gospel. We see this at work when Paul preached the gospel at Ephesus:

Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” So Paul went out from their midst. But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them. Acts 17:32-34

Notice the three groups in this passage and how each responded to the gospel. The first group mocked. The second group wanted to hear more later. The third group trusted Christ. They heard the same message but had different responses.

This demonstrates what Jesus taught in His “parable of the soils.” As we share the gospel, some will fall on hard soil, some on shallow soil, but some on good soil. The key is to keep on sharing. Do not let someone’s response keep you from sharing with others.

3. Your job is to communicate. God’s job is to convert. The Bible never places the burden of results on me or you! The reason is that neither of us is the Holy Spirit! Jesus foretold:

And when He comes, He will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:8

Jesus did not say that you or I should, but that “He” will convict. Only the Holy Spirit can convince someone that they are guilty of sin and they need Jesus. That does not mean we don’t talk about the fact that all have sinned. It does mean that I leave the convincing to God.

4. A “no” now may become a “yes” later. Jesus pointed out to the disciples in John 4 that the spiritual harvest they were about to witness was the result of years of sowing seeds.

For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” John 4:37-38

When you share the gospel and someone says, “No,” you have not failed. You have planted a seed. God may use the words you have shared to bring the person to faith that night, the next week, or the next year. Only eternity will tell how and when God used your faithful witness that resulted in a “no” to bring about a “yes” later.

The key to this is to keep sharing and leave the results to Him. If someone says “no,” you can leave them in God’s hands because salvation belongs to Him. Don’t put pressure on yourself that is not from the Lord. It will only distract you from future opportunities.