And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

John 16:8-11

Over the weekend, Patrina and I encountered some street performers near the beaches of Clearwater, Florida. In addition to the singers, musicians and juggler/escape artist, we saw one man “preaching” on a street corner. He was actually playing a sermon on a sound system and reacting to the sermon. We saw a couple of Jehovah Witnesses offering their books and then another man with an electric guitar singing “The Old Rugged Cross.”

Over the years, I’ve read books and apologetic articles on defending the faith and I know the truth of “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15b). I know what I believe and can defend the faith fairly well, still when I have encountered many who have not yet considered the life, death and resurrection of Christ, I am at a loss as to how to convince them.

In the passage above, Jesus reinforces God’s work in the lives of those we encounter. We may proclaim the truth or tell of our own experience, but Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will convict the world. Another way of translating the same word is to convince the world of their need of the Savior.

As Paul would later write regarding his responsibility in the Gospel: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6).

So how is a skeptic convinced of the Gospel? It is clearly the work of the Holy Spirit, yet God has provided an opportunity for us to take part in the process through our lives and through the words we speak to others and in prayer. Let’s do our part as the Holy Spirit works in the lives of those we encounter.