Spiritual Eavesdroppers [1 Thessalonians 1:2-10]
A 17th-century man found himself eavesdropping on several women who
were having a spiritual conversation. Later he wrote:
Their talk was about a new birth, the work of God on their hearts .
. . ; they talked how God had visited their souls with His love in
the Lord Jesus, . . . they [spoke] . . . as if they found a new
world.
Eventually the man came to know Jesus as Savior and his life was
transformed. Later he was imprisoned for his faith and wrote the
enduring classic Pilgrims Progress. This spiritual eavesdropper
was John Bunyan, the great Puritan writer.
Some of the most effective evangelism comes when curious seekers
overhear our spiritual conversations. In those quiet moments of
observation and listening, these people see in action what we
sometimes do not see in ourselvesthe life-changing reality of
Jesus.
From the beginning, spiritual eavesdropping has played a vital role
in the spread of the gospel. Initially, the apostles took the lead
in preaching the gospel of grace in a pagan world. But their
efforts were only the first step. As communities of faith were
established throughout the Roman Empire, Christians won entire
regions to Jesus. So much so that Paul would say to the church at
Thessalonica, The Lords message rang out from you not only in
Macedonia and Achaiayour faith in God has become known everywhere.
Therefore we do not need to say anything about it (1 Thessalonians
1:8 ).
Why were believers so effective in sharing their faith? Undoubtedly
part of their success was that they stayed close to people who had
ears to hear. Through daily conversations, spiritual seekers and
eavesdroppers had their curiosity piqued, and they were eventually
brought to faith in Jesus. You never know who may be
listening.
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