Dr. Dan Reed was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1951. He was saved at the Woodland Avenue Baptist Church in 1973 while studying engineering at Auburn University. Sensing the call to preach in 1973 he enrolled at Tennessee Temple College under the ministry of Dr. Lee Roberson. Finishing his B.A. in December of 1975 he was called to Emden, Missouri , a town of 61, to pastor the Community Baptist Church. Pastor Reed has started two churches and two Christian schools during his 33-year ministry. He is currently the pastor of Harvest Baptist Church of Acworth, Georgia. (Learn more about Dr. Reed HERE)
Scripture Reading: Jude
Text: (Jude 1:22-23) “And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (KJV)
(4) Be protective of your own testimony.
Jude says “hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” It is possible that the words “save with fear” go with this phrase which would mean Jude is saying that when you are dealing with certain kinds of people, you have need to be in fear yourself. In order for you to protect your own testimony and conscience, you must “hate even the garment spotted by the flesh.” This speaks of ceremonial uncleanness. Many a man has fallen into doctrinal heresy while trying to rescue someone from doctrinal heresy. Many a man while trying to rescue a drowning man has drowned himself. Many a soulwinner has fallen into moral sin while trying to rescue the immoral.
How do you protect yourself?
You must “hate even the garment spotted by the flesh.” The OT Jews had to be very careful to avoid ceremonial defilement. If a clean person touched an unclean garment, he was defiled. The point Jude is making here is that not every soulwinner is equipped to deal with every situation. There are two warnings I would give as an application to these words of Jude:
(1) When dealing with the immoral always have someone with you! Always protect your testimony. Accusations do not have to be true to ruin your testimony! If you are dealing with those under Satanic influence you should make sure you have a very strong, praying Christian with you! Remember the seven sons of Sceva in Acts? The demons said, “Jesus I know and Paul I know but who are you.” In order to deal with the Satanically oppressed or possessed your name had better be known in hell!
(2) If you are dealing with false doctrine and those you are dealing with put questions in your mind, it is time to back off and get someone to help you who knows the Scripture and how to “give an answer to every man.”
Protect Your Testimony!
Always, in soulwinning, make sure you protect your testimony. Make it a habit to visit with someone else and never visit alone. Not only does this practice help to protect your testimony from those who might accuse (remember Satan is the accuser of the brethren), it also gives you boldness to witness! Many Christians who once were soulwinners are now shipwrecked because they did not “hate even the garment spotted by the flesh.” The soulwinner must not just be adept at presenting the gospel plan, he must also be separated and hate sin.
Above all the soulwinner must constantly ask God for wisdom and power! When is the last time God used you to win a precious soul to the Lord Jesus Christ?
Questions to Ponder
1. What did I mean when I said, “When dealing with the Satanically oppressed or possessed, your name had better be known in hell”?
2. How do you know when to leave a cultist alone and when the Spirit of God is still dealing with them?
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