Do I Let Them In?


I’m not fond of door-to-door evangelism, but will share the gospel with people who knock on my door. Sometimes it’s a business owner canvassing the neighborhood looking for customers. Other times, people are raising funds for a cause. One Halloween, I dressed up as Jesus and witnessed to trick-or-treaters who came to my door.

Many Christians question what to do when Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons knock on their door. They might ask themselves, “Should I witness to them? If so, do I let them in the house?” Usually, I avoid the latter. This is based on what 2 John 9-11 says, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.”


However, I have seen a couple of exceptions at the homes of others. One time while visiting a friend in Minnesota, two Mormons knocked on his door. My friend invited the young men inside because of freezing weather. We spent time sharing Biblical truths with them. Neither of the Mormons accepted the true gospel, but many seeds were planted. 


Another time in Berlin, I spent time fellowshipping with my friend Stefen. As I was about to leave his apartment, the doorbell rang. Two Jehovah’s Witnesses wanted to talk to us about the Bible. Stefan let the young couple in. Our conversation with them lasted about an hour. For the first 30 minutes, the Jehovah’s Witnesses politely listened to me share Scripture (with Stefen translating into German) about how we are saved by grace and that our eternal destiny is in heaven. The JWs briefly tried to sidetrack us with questions about praying in tongues. The Lord reminded me of 1 Corinthians 2:2, “I desire to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” I shifted the conversation back to the subject of salvation. Then Stefan ministered to the JW’s for a while. Once again, many seeds were planted.


A friend of mine later suggested we should have met with the Jehovah’s Witnesses outside. It’s worth noting we had talked to the couple in the kitchen, which Stefan also used as his prayer room. I believe the presence of God there helped us with our ministering.


I’ve heard a few folks say we should respect all religions. I disagree. Christians should not encourage anyone preaching doctrines that could lead people away from receiving eternal life. Still, we must speak the truth in love to those caught up in cults.


“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” - 2 Timothy 2:24-25

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