6 Ways to Gain Credibility in our Gospel Witness

September 2, 2025 OLAOLUWA AYOMIDE

The gospel message itself always has been a big ask for much of the world to accept an unmarried virgin’s conception, Jesus’ myriad supra-science miracles, the atoning death, the bodily resurrection.

It is for this very reason the Apostle Paul calls it a “stumbling block” to some, and to others, “foolishness.”

Yet, what if there are other factors besides the claims of the gospel itself that are making it hard or impossible for the unbelieving world to accept?

What if, instead of disputing the credibility of the gospel, it is the credibility of the followers of the gospel that many are simply having a hard time looking past?

The credibility problem I’m referring to is not so much the obvious moral failures witnessed in recent times such as the allegations against apologist Ravi Zacharias in 2020, or Jerry Falwell Jr. and his wife, Becki, also in 2020, just to name a couple.

As damaging as these types of headlines can be, there’s a far more widespread, over-looked yet seemingly accepted moral failure that persists — a lack of credibility in word among evangelicals.

However, what if Christians are at least partly responsible for some of the scoffing? What if our credibility has been indeed scoff-worthy? That is something I had not considered until recent years.

Consider studies that have shown Christians to be twice as likely as those “religiously unaffiliated” to buy into and spread conspiracy theories on social media.

Additionally, a recent Lifeway Research study revealed 49% of U.S. Protestant pastors acknowledge they frequently hear church members repeating and spreading dubious conspiracy theories.

Being people of faith never should be synonymous with the suspension of reason. To the contrary, Scripture encourages reasoning; “Come now, and let us reason together,” says Isaiah 1:18. Paul reasoned with unbelievers, seeking to persuade them to the faith.

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Many seem to have equated Kierkegaard’s “leap of faith” with a blind leap of faith. Rather than having a reputation of gullibility, Christians should have a reputation of being a people of reason and people who value truth even when it is neither comfortable nor flattering.

As a Christian leader and a Pastor, one thing that has made discipling believers challenging is the emergence of online teaching from many sources that have gained access to the minds and hearts of the congregation.

Like most things, this isn’t all necessarily bad, but there are truly a lot of unhelpful sources out there also. This challenge will only grow with the continuing emergence of artificial intelligence.

To help evangelicals excel in credibility, i propose rules of engagement. These are all areas in which too many already have lost credibility in the eyes of much of the lost world.

We must stop blaming “woke” culture, the media, Hollywood or the secular-minded education system.

Let’s consider how we are presenting ourselves. Are we valuing credibility or subtly telling the world that being a Christian is synonymous with being gullible and not valuing truth?

Always speak truth

God’s word tells us that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Jesus himself stated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Of course, one of the Ten Commandments is devoted to the prohibition of lying (Exodus 20:16; Matthew 19:18).

The fact God the Father is truth and cannot lie means those born into God’s family ought to resemble the Father in this characteristic. We have been delivered from Satan’s dominion who is called the father of lies (John 8:44).

We never should have a reputation for twisting or bending the truth to suit our needs, be it in the church or outside. It should not be too hard to convince believers of the need to be people who speak truth. It is essential for the credibility of our message.

‘We never should have a reputation for twisting or bending the truth to suit our needs. However, this leads to another, more subtle way of losing credibility.’

Shun Exaggeration

As Erik Raymond of the Gospel Coalition states: “Exaggeration is everywhere from the 4-year-old who says he is ‘starving to death’ 15 minutes after lunch to the fisherman who replays the size of his great catch. We love to round up. We love the superlatives.”

It can become destructive to our witness, however, when we become known to “over-do” the truth consistently. When can someone take what is said at face value, and when can they not?

Pastors, especially, must be mindful to not over-embellish stories and illustrations in sermons and lessons to achieve greater impact.

Even if such a motive is noble, the danger of losing credibility is simply not worth it, especially in an era where everyone has the internet in their pocket, able to fact-check in real-time. Shun exaggeration and focus on factual, verifiable truth.

Guard against spreading false information

The difference between spreading false information and lying is primarily intent. It is apparent that on social media, in particular, many are simply oblivious to the fact the information they are consuming and sharing may not be completely factual.

In the age of genuine, intentional fake news (not to be confused with news one simply does not like) misinformation, disinformation and artificial intelligence, we must be especially prudent. Sometimes, it may just take 30 seconds to check the facts of something before re-posting and potentially damaging credibility. That is time very well spent.

Avoid entanglement in conspiracy theories

The 2020s truly have seen periods of high anxiety fuelled by a global pandemic as well as social and political unrest. This has contributed to a significant rise in the populace, Christians not excluded, searching for, embracing and sharing all manner of fringe conspiratorial ideas.

What’s troubling, as Carey Nieuwhof, founder of Connexus Church in Ontario, highlights, is that Christians are actually twice as likely to fully buy into conspiracy theories than unbelievers. That is a reputation not to be desired!

Psychologists explain that in a time when there’s global news 24-hours daily, anything that makes headlines can spawn conspiracy theories, especially when there’s some room for confusion about what really happened, which, unfortunately, often is the case.

In the not-too-distant past, conspiracy theories were mainly confined to the realm of extremist, fringe groups but now have filtered down into the mainstream aided by technology that makes the sharing of ideas so much easier; anyone can publish their insights for all to see.

Are there genuine conspiracies that take place? Undoubtedly. From time to time a genuine conspiracy has come to light; however, there are two factors that make for a successful conspiracy.

First, the more people in “the know,” the less likely it will be kept secret. Second, time will likely reveal the truth eventually.

“The majority of popular conspiracy theories are just not credible.”

Most theories currently in circulation could safely be discarded based on these two factors. In the meantime, dabbling in this arena can be truly detrimental to the gospel testimony itself because most popular conspiracy theories are just not credible. It’s simply not worth it and can take us off the mission of making disciples of all nations.

Choose a positive rather than negative bias

Christians, above all others, should have a reputation for being a positive people. Why wouldn’t we be?

Some have become so negative-focused that it actually damages the credibility of the gospel that is purported to bring an “abundant life.”

Be careful not to fall into a toxic marriage of a negative bias with exaggeration in which is created a distorted alternative reality many want nothing to do with. This erodes the joy, vitality and witness of the Christian life.

Do bad things happen? Of course! Jesus said they would (John 16:33). But if one places importance on being a Christian witness, one should not earn a reputation more in line with Eeyore, the loveable but pessimistic donkey from Winnie the Pooh, than with Christ who said, despite impending troubles, “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Do not wait for times to be great again in your estimation to become positive in your outlook. If the world must be all for you to take on a positive outlook, it never will happen.

There always will be another conflict looming on the horizon. There always will be another life-altering election coming. There always will be a looming health crisis, if not globally, then personally.

A perpetual state of negative bias eventually can lead the believer into a perpetual state of depression if left unchecked. This is not good for them and certainly not good for the credibility of the witness of the gospel of Christ.

Value the truth

Being people of truth and people who value truth is essential. Integrity builds trust, and trust is central to the gospel of Christ. If people around us have the impression that we are rather careless with the truth, they will be less inclined to hear anything else.

If we cannot be trusted in the little things, why should we be trusted with issues like eternity and salvation? The church’s reputation is at stake here. The reputation of Christ himself is at stake.

It is imperative that believers be discerning of truth, even when that truth is not comfortable, not what may be personally desired, or even not what may be accepted by the majority. The church must regain her credibility in word and in deed for the sake of the gospel. After all, eternity is at stake.