A speaker warns that gossiping, breaking promises, or lacking love and patience while claiming faith damages your credibility with people you're trying to reach. Your life either backs up what you say about God or it doesn't. Believers aren't perfect, but careless living becomes a stumbling block to others.
If you're speaking about Jesus on one side of your mouth and then gossiping about others on the other side of your mouth, it's going to be rather difficult for that loved one to receive the gospel from you. If you on one hand say that God is a God who keeps his word, but you don't keep your word, it's going to be difficult for them to trust the message that you're declaring. If you say God is loving, God is patient, God is kind, but you're not loving, patient, or kind, then they're going to look at you and wonder if you've actually met the God that you're describing. Now, I'm not saying that you have to live a life of perfection. Of course, We all make mistakes. Nor am I saying that you are responsible for your lost loved ones should they reject the gospel, because ultimately everyone has to make the decision for themselves about what they're going to do with Jesus. What I am saying is that if you're not careful about your testimony, that you can become a stumbling block for your loved ones. You can become a hindrance for the truth that you're trying to declare. The effectiveness of your evangelism is directly proportionate to the purity of your life.
