SUBJECT:  Convincing others of the truth.

QUESTION:  Can any human person convince another of spiritual truth?

ANSWER:

NO.  It takes God, the Father to do that.

John 6:44

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

The truth of God is not well accepted in human minds.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Note: The apostle would seem to affirm only, that individuals, addicted to the gross indulgences of sense, are incapable of discerning and appreciating spiritual things.

 If a person is spiritually incapable of discerning and appreciating spiritual things, then all your talk, argument and debate will not be successful

Deuteronomy 32:28

For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.

Job 21:14

Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.

Psalm 14:1

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psalm 14:4

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD.

Psalm 82:5

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.

Psalm 92:6

A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this (the mind of God).

Psalm 94:7-8

7 Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?

Psalm 95:10

Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Note: By fools, God means those that have not had their minds opened by Him.

Proverbs 1:22

How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 1:29-30

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Proverbs 4:19

The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Proverbs 10:21

The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 19:2-3

2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

Isaiah 5:13

Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.

Isaiah 26:10-11

10 Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD.

11 LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.

Daniel 12:10

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

Hosea 4:1

Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.

Micah 4:12

But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

Matthew 13:19

When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

Note:  Do you see the importance of this verse.  If you try convincing others or telling others of the truth, Satan will come and take away the meaning of what you said.  ONLY GOD CAN GIVE THE TRUTH TO A PERSON.

Now we can ANSWER someone if they see the truth (light) in us and ask about it BUT WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD MAKE THAT PERSON ASK YOU OF THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU??  THAT IS RIGHT....GOD.

1 Peter 3:15

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Now notice the next verse:

1 Peter 3:16

Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Note: See the point?  If you try to convince others they will speak evil of you but if God opens their minds and ask you then they will be ashamed for falsely accusing you of being an evildoer.

Matthew 15:14

Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

Matthew 22:29

Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Mark 4:11-12

11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Note: See, Jesus knew that not all of mankind was being called at that time.  That is why He spoke in parables so they would NOT understand.  It is still true today.

Mark 6:52

For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

Note: See, even when miracles were done, they could not understand.  You and I cannot do miracles so you can see that talking to others is not good UNLESS THEY ASK YOU FIRST.

Acts 17:23

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Note:  See how ignorant man can be?

1 Corinthians 1:18

1For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Note: See, to those that are not called now (they will be called after Christ returns) they do not get it.  It is a waste of time to talk to them.

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Note: See, man does not receiveth the things of the Spirit of God.  They are foolishness to him.  HE CANNOT KNOW THEM.  That is why we do NOT try to spread truth like that and try to convince them.  Mr. Armstrong with his booklets and television programs is NOT trying to gain new members or convince anyone of anything.  He just wants them to hear it.  God will bring it to their minds later.

2 Timothy 3:7

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Note: See, some people, no matter how much they study will never know the truth.  They must wait for God to open their minds.  Billions and Billions will not have their minds opened until AFTER the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ, at the 2nd Resurrection.

Titus 1:16

They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

This abundance of verses convinces the firstfruit from attempting to convince the unconverted.