Starting At No

You’ve got to start with no

2 Corinthians 2:14–17 NASB95

14 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. 15 For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? 17 For we are not like many, peddling the word of God, but as from sincerity, but as from God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

When first talking with people about Jesus, no is the only real starting point.

If they immediately say yes, it is unlikely they have counted the cost.

If they say maybe then no decision has been made and thus there is nothing to discuss.

The three starting points for people are no, yes, and maybe.

What is the only real and concrete starting point for all changes you wish for people to make?