Perhaps you will be able to identify with me in this perplexing situation. Let us say I am in a public area and see an individual in a wheelchair who seems to be struggling somewhat in making his way forward. Immediately I become perplexed. Do I offer assistance or not? For all I know the individual may be very independent-minded and consider any such offers as patronizing. If upon offering assistance the person initially refuses it, are they just being polite or do they genuinely wish that I not help? Therefore should I ask "Are you sure that you don't want a hand here?" or just hurry on my way flushed with self-blame for asking in the first place? This is just an example of where exquisite discernment is required in Christian witness. (Just think of the myriad such challenges facing a special ed teacher daily.) So an essential requirement of being an effective Christian witness depends not only upon strong conviction but upon considered circumspection as well. The key to the whole matter is to offer up to God our hearts for his examination. Are our hearts filled with the egotistical pride of an offensive "do-gooder" or are our motives derived from a reliable empathy coupled with deep respect for the Golden Rule.
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