Whether Christians should use scare tactics to share the gospel brings into account the methods we use in evangelism. For some, gentle persuasion is the preferred method, while others turn to the fire and brimstone approach. While I don’t have any surveyed results for my hypothesis, I am fairly confident of one thing. Scare tactics typically don’t work. Scare tactics use fear as the motivator in an attempt to wake people up and get them to respond to the gospel. That’s why the fire-and-brimstone messages are the chief of all scare tactics. However, can we scare someone into the kingdom, and does God want us to? There may be differing opinions on using scare tactics to share the gospel, but do they truly work in the long run?
I can remember growing up, and the pastor would preach a sermon about hell. I don’t know if he was trying to scare people, but it got my attention. Because of the fear the sermon created in me, I responded to the altar call. The problem was I was already saved because I had given my life to Christ. Hearing the sermon, I just wanted to make sure I was safe. You might argue that is evidence the scare tactic worked, and maybe it did for the moment. But remember, I was already saved at the time. What about for the unbeliever?
Let me give you some reasons why I believe the scare tactic is not the most effective way to share the gospel:
When you look at the interactions Jesus had with people, when did you ever see him try to scare anyone? What he did was tell them the truth. Christians should not use scare tactics to share the gospel because we don’t have to. We simply need to share the message and not leave anything out. Should we talk about God’s judgment? Yes, we should. However, we cannot talk about God’s judgment alone. When we do, we create an incomplete message of the gospel and an incomplete picture of who God is. The gospel begins and ends with God’s love for the world. This should always be the driver whenever we share the message because it is so central to the gospel.
Scare tactics usually focus on some impending judgment. However, Christianity is not just about escaping judgment, even though that is a benefit of following Christ. Christianity is about building a relationship with your heavenly Father. This is possible because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross and the rebirth that happens by the Holy Spirit.
If you come to Christ initially because you want to escape judgment, that is not enough to keep you serving and walking with Jesus. At some point, your walk must develop into a relationship, and you cannot build a growing relationship that is based on fear. Fear contradicts the basic message of Christianity and opposes the heart of the gospel.
Think about the way God describes those who belong to him. It all points to a relationship based on God’s love and not fear. Here is just one example:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12
God calls us his children. In other places of scripture, he calls us "chosen," "his people," and "his masterpiece." All of this speaks to our relationship with God, and none of this is based on fear. That’s why I say Christians should not use scare tactics to share the gospel because a relationship based on fear is not a healthy one at all.
The truth about scare tactics and the gospel is they often don’t move people toward lasting repentance. Usually, when the emotion of the scare tactic resolves, the repentance leaves with it. That’s why Romans 2:4 tells us that God’s kindness leads us to repentance. What so often moves the hearts of people when they hear the gospel is God’s love. As I said earlier, the beginning of the gospel message is "God so loved the world" (John 3:16). We are people who deserve judgment, yet God offers love, grace, and mercy through Jesus Christ. This is a message that draws people in, especially when they know they should receive judgment.
I cannot tell you how many times I have wept over God’s faithfulness to me, especially when I think of the many times I have failed him. His kindness and faithfulness, despite my failure, melt my heart and move me towards repentance. When you know God loves you despite your shortcomings, that love breaks you and draws you to him. I am not saying God will not judge sin because he will in due time. However, scare tactics that present God as an angry judge usually drive people further away from him. (Let me also state that this is not a license to sin because you cannot take advantage of God’s kindness and grace. People who abuse God's love don’t understand grace and often will find God’s judgment instead.)
When you look at the people of Israel, they were familiar with God’s judgment because they experienced it. In Judges, the nation of Israel would sin. After a while, God would judge them, usually by allowing them to fall into the hands of their enemies, which caused them to suffer. After suffering long enough, they would repent, and God would raise up a judge to deliver them. You might think this is evidence that scare tactics work, but it isn't. As soon as the judge died, they went right back to their old ways. The fear of judgment quickly wears off, and when that happens, people return to their ways.
When you look at scripture, Jesus gives us the ultimate thing that will motivate us and keep us from sin—his love.
"If you love me, keep my commands." John 14:15
We don’t stay away from sin because we are afraid of God. We stay away from sin because we love him. This again points back to the relationship. If love is going to keep your relationship with him, then love must be what we lead with when sharing the gospel. We come to him because he first loved us (1 John 4:19), and we grow in our relationship with him because of that love.
As much as I don’t believe Christians should use scare tactics to share the gospel, there may be moments when “scare tactics” may be useful. When I say that, I don’t really mean scare tactics at all, but simply telling people the truth. This is especially true of those who know what God desires but choose to live in disobedience. By reminding them of the reality of their sin and where it leads, maybe this will wake them up and spark a desire to change.
As you share the gospel with others, let’s lead with the heart of the gospel message. In case you need reminding, here it is: You are a sinner, but God loves you. He offered Jesus as the substitute to pay for your sins. He poured out his judgment on Christ so he would not have to pour it out on you. If you put your faith in what Christ did for you, you will find forgiveness and can begin a relationship with him. This is not a message bathed in fear but a reflection of God’s love and kindness, which is what drives us towards repentance.
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