Someone asked a question in response to my article "Commitment to Evangelism Without Fanaticism: The Balance Jesus Taught."

"If evangelism is about being led, can the wisdom of God lead someone to stay in and continue in a hostile land? Or once hostility is encountered, you should flee based on what is written?"

Here is my response to the question:

Yes, the wisdom of God can lead someone to stay in and continue in a hostile land. But such leading must be preceded by a decision to obey the written instruction to leave when not received.

Here is an event in scripture that puts this in clear perspective.

During Paul's ministry in Corinth, he was opposed by Jews, and he promptly embraced the wisdom to leave a people who do not welcome the gospel.

“And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.”
— Acts 18:6 (KJV)

Paul chose to preach to willing people. But then, the opposition was in the land, and he knew well that as long as he stayed there, he would encounter danger, and so he purposed in his heart to leave the city.

We know that his mind was made up to leave because of the words that Jesus spoke to him, and his decision to continue in the city for a year and six months.

Acts 18 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
⁹ Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
¹⁰ For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.
¹¹ And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

So, your first decision should be to leave, but if the Lord wants you to stay, because he would protect you from the danger in the land, he will speak to you about it.

But in the event where the Lord does not speak to you about staying, proceed with your decision to leave in obedience to the instruction of Jesus.

Apostle Destiny Kingston
ChurchGrowth360 International