Burrs on the Gospel

The burr of a burdock plant (those sticky little thistles that cling to clothing) is a small, annoying thing; easy to overlook, hard to remove, and able to ruin the look of a beautiful garment. When it comes to witnessing for Christ, our lives can have the same effect: small, unattractive habits or attitudes that make the gospel less appealing.

Appearance matters, not for show, but because people often believe what they see before they hear what we say.

Let me clarify before I go further: I’m not talking about being performative in our Christianity. No, on the contrary. I’m talking about the need to live lives that reflect the truth we profess.

The Scripture is clear: our purpose in the Kingdom of God is to go and make disciples. To help people who do not know Him come to the knowledge of Him.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NKJV).

The definition of "help" is to make it easier or possible for someone to do something. That means our lives are supposed to be lived in a way that makes it easier for others to know Christ.

However, along the way, if we are not careful burrs can stick to us. These are things that may not stop us from serving or speaking truth but still weaken our credibility and dilute the gospel we want others to see and receive. Things that are permissible, but certainly not beneficial.

“All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].” (1 Corinthians 10:23, AMP).

Just because something is permissible doesn’t mean it’s constructive or edifying, especially for those watching us. People are drawn not just to what is said, but to how it is lived out.

We live in the age of the influencer. And as those with a mandate to go and make disciples, we are influencers for the Kingdom of God. Think about how influence works: I’ve seen someone wear a bag, a dress, or a pair of earrings on social media and immediately felt the urge to buy it, not because I needed it (as my husband often reminds me), but simply because I liked how it looked on someone else. The same item might appear on a website or another influencer’s page and not move me at all. But when it’s styled well and presented with authenticity, I suddenly feel like I have to have it because of how it is presented.

Soul winning, in many ways, mirrors this. But unlike social media trends, the stakes are eternal. How we live, our integrity, our compassion, our consistency, can either draw people toward Christ or push them away, often before we even say a word. If our lives don’t reflect the message we preach, we risk becoming like those influencers who are fraudulent.

I've experienced this firsthand. A little over a year ago I was with friends I’d tried to share Jesus with for years. They remembered a season when I behaved in ways I now regret, a season I used to excuse being blunt, being mean, being rude and hard-hearted as just "part of my personality" and "how God made me".

Hearing their perspective was a wake-up call. All these years I had been talking about a Jesus who saves and transforms, while presenting the opposite through my actions. The burrs on my life, my words, my attitudes, my inconsistency, had made the gospel less attractive to those watching me.

Following this encounter, over the next few weeks the Holy Spirit led me on an “apology tour”, tracking down people I hadn’t seen or spoken to in a decade. I apologised and repented.

When I apologised, many of them were surprised, they couldn’t remember me doing anything wrong. But it wasn’t just about whether they remembered my past; it was about being a faithful ambassador of Christ. It was about those who had been watching my life who had seen how I behaved and used it as evidence not to come to Christ. I realised that the burrs on my garment made the gospel less attractive. I had to repent, not only for my own sake but to be an authentic witness.

If like me you are dedicating your life this month (and forever) to drawing people to Christ authentically, here are some practical steps to take to avoid your influence and witness being dampened:

• Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the burrs.

  Prayerfully invite the Holy Spirit to show you the habits, attitudes, or past mistakes that weaken your witness.

• Examine your life honestly.

  Look at your words, actions, and relationships. What does your life communicate to someone who doesn’t yet know Christ?

• Repent and apologise where needed.

  Confession restores credibility, peace, authenticity, and freedom. It signals integrity to both God and those around you.

• Set healthy boundaries.

  Some shows, music, social media activities, or habits can undermine your influence. Decide what no longer belongs in your life for the sake of the lost souls.

  
  

• Live consistently.

  Ensure your actions match your words. Let people see Christ through your integrity, compassion, and character.

  
  

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14, NKJV).

As you strive to win souls for the Kingdom of God, remember that the lost should meet us and want what we have: Christ. Not our swagger, not our talk, but the reality of a changed life.

In love,

Gabriella Mwedzi