05.09. Use Wisdom
9. USE WISDOM
It is unwise for two people to talk to a seeker at the same time. They may both be sincere and good, they may both desire the same result, yet it must be very confusing to the seeker.
Try to concentrate on something you are reading and at the same time listen to the radio.
Try listening to two conversations being conducted, one on either side of you. If this is difficult, how much more difficult it must be for the penitent soul when someone is talking in each ear!
Illustration A humorous story is told of the seeker with whom three people were dealing at the same time. The one on the right was saying, "Brother, just hold on, just hold on." The one on the left was saying, "Brother, just turn loose, just turn loose." A third, kneeling just back of the seeker, kept patting him on the shoulder, saying, "Brother, just be faithful, just be faithful." The poor confused man did not know whether to be faithful in turning loose or holding on. A Better Way
Instead of trying to talk to a seeker while others are speaking to him, it is better to say kindly and courteously to the worker, "Would you please let me talk to him for a few minutes?
Perhaps I can help him."
If you do not seem to be making headway, move on and give someone else a chance. I have seen many a person find victory shortly after I turned him over to another, although I had done my utmost to help him.
Loud Praying
Praying audibly around the altar is all right and loud praying is not to be despised. Some workers seem to have more liberty and freedom in prayer if they can lift up their voices.
However, one should avoid praying in too loud a voice too near those who are seeking, especially if some worker is talking with them. This can be as confusing as two talking at once.
Study the Seekers
Study the seekers as you deal with them. Notice to what they seem to respond in word or song. People are different; therefore, they cannot all be handled alike.
Resentment
Study the seeker for his response or resentment to different workers. Some seem to resent loved ones. This is especially true of teen-agers. The wise worker will not take this as evidence that the loved one is not what he professes, but he will tactfully arrange for someone else to work with the seeker.
Pray Out
I heard a lady say to a seeker: "Pray out, pray out if you expect to be saved. God can’t hear you if you don’t." She was a good woman. She meant well, but her instructions were wrong. There are some, if you can just get them to pray aloud or to lift up their hands, who seem to be able to break loose some tension or reservations, which helps them to get through. If you are dealing with such a soul, encourage him to lift up his voice to God.
There are others who seem to shrink from such efforts. The more you urge them to pray audibly, the more you seem to hinder them. They just can’t. If you are dealing with one like this, urge him to pray in his own way. Assure him: "God can hear you whether I do or not. Just in your heart tell Him what you want Him to do for you. He can hear the faintest whisper of the soul."
Deaf-mutes
Years ago I was holding a campaign in the city of Chicago. One night five deaf and dumb men came to the altar. No audible prayer was heard, no voice was lifted, no word was uttered.
They knelt for a time with bowed heads, then an upward look, one hand on the heart, the other lifted, and shining face was the only outward evidence manifested -- but it spoke volumes. It spoke of sins forgiven, of inward peace and soul satisfaction.
Illustration When I was a young man and a student in Pasadena College, I went to the altar to be sanctified. A group gathered around and began to urge me to pray aloud. I was sincere. I wanted to but it seemed I could not; neither my tongue nor my lips would move. Presently a big student took me by the shoulders and gave me a shake that almost rattled my teeth and said, "If you were here for any good, you would pray out loud." That ended my seeking, at least for that time. He probably eant well, but he failed to help me. Study your seeker and deal with him accordingly.
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