I'll read yours if you read mine...

[Empy5]

what would you say to someone who you've been witnessing to who says to you, i'll read the bible if you read [insert their religion's text here]. I'm been talking to a sikh friend whose said just that. on one hand i really want him to read the bible and maybe i can read the sikh text to reinforce what's wrong with that religion. what would you suggest i do?

[carolina_guy]

Why would he want to read the Bible? He's perfectly content where he is. He needs to understand that his works cannot save him, and no amount of sacrifice will be able to cleanse him of his sins. You might discuss moral law with him, where did it come from, what it means, what is God's standard, how does he compare, is anyone good enough, would he be guilty or innocent in the court of God, the consequences of the conviction, and the Good News that paid his fine.

This information may be helpful to you: http://www.gotquestions.org/Sikhism.html

Here's a great book you might want to look into: http://oneheartbeataway.org/

He can get a free copy since he's not a believer, and you may want to get one for yourself to learn how to engage in these types of conversations in order to share the Gospel with all kinds of different people.

[Empy5]

Thank you for the resources

He's very closed minded to hearing the truth. His whole thing is he'll read the Bible and if he likes what he's read, then he'll want to hear more, but in return, he wants me to read his book (I forget the name). I feel very squeamish about that and I wonder now if he's playing some sort of game... Thoughts?

[ImOnStandby221]

to me that's like someone saying, "i'll take a sip of your ice-cold spring water if you agree to take a sip of my cyanide."

i'd politely say, "no thanks".

[carolina_guy]

Tell him you have already found the Truth, and you have no obligation to read anything else. It is not your job to convince him to read anything. If he wants to find the Truth, he will seek it.

[ThePenguin]

to me that's like someone saying, "i'll take a sip of your ice-cold spring water if you agree to take a sip of my cyanide."

i'd politely say, "no thanks".

That's a very apt comparison.

[HisMusician]

Take your friend thru the law and ten Commandments and show him what God says about the law. Read my thread "witnessing question" for more details. Then after he's been thru the law, show him grace and God's love for us and take him to the cross. There can be no redemption without man seeing that he needs a Saviour thru the law.

[Empy5]

^ Unfortunately he won't even let me *broach* the subject of sin or redemption or the 10 commandments, etc. *At all*. His only... concession (best word I can think of) is "I'll read your Bible, but you have to read MY book too then", and now I'm wondering if this is his subversive way of trying to convert me!!!

But at the same time, I feel maybe if he reads the Bible, it'll open his eyes and he'll actually allow a *real* conversation about God. And I can't help but feel this is my one shot with this friend...to make him open his eyes (although rationally, I know my job is to simply plant the seeds).

Very frustrating!

[Nightelf]

The only ones I've ever tried to "trade resources" with are JW's who come to my door and want to give me their magazines. I always offer to trade.... I have tracts by the door. They always say "no", so then I won't take their stuff.

[millky]

Okay, so I can see where your friend might be coming from, but there is no need for you to waste your time reading false rubbish.

Pray about it and seek God's will in this situation. Personally I would not do it. But if you must, keep your discernment hat on...!

Perhaps the best thing to do might be to simply give your friend a copy of the NT, with a bookmark at John, and leave him to it. You've already planted the seeds, and God will lead him to open it up and read it in His own time.

[Mountain Girl]

King James Bible
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 2 John 1:10

If the Lord doesn't want us to listen to someone who brings a false doctrine, then I think it's safe to say he doesn't want us to read their false doctrines, either. I think I'd just tell your friend, no thanks.

As Christians, we believe the only way to the Father, is through Christ. The Sikh religion teaches that everyone who believes in a god, whether it's allah, zeus, or whoever, that we are all worshiping the same god.

[Hope in Him]

I did this once with a friend. She didn't put it quite so bluntly....but I did take her book and "skimmed" through it. After a couple of days I gave it back and told her the lies that were contained within "her" book. However, I can honestly say that God was already moving in this woman's life. She was seeking him...just in a very odd way. She was getting alot of false info and Satan was trying to lead her astray so that she wouldn't find God. She did become a Christian and she burned all her books to prevent someone else from getting their hands on them inadvertently through her. Pray about this and see where God leads you. If you feel lead to do this with you friend...do it from the mindset to show your friend the lies contain in the material they give you.

[Wally]

If it is your ministry to learn, then witness to a religion, that copy would be helpful, but you do not want to learn under the "enemy's " tutalage.

Sometimes it is good to ask; Why do you believe your truth? What convinces you of it's authinticity?
Be prepared for the same question.

Then maybe: How perfect can you be? How perfect do you have to be? What happens when you fail?
Compare the Biblical consequences for failure, and look at the remedies. Quite different you'll find.

[JPE]

I would agree to read the Sikh text together only under the condition that the scriptures are studied together (meaning by both of you, if I'm not clear) chronologically, i.e., that the most ancient text is read first and the most recent last.

In that case you two would together study the Old Testament first, then the New Testament, and then, if he's still studying with you, the Sikh text would be read last because it's from the 17th and 18th centuries--very recent.

That's what I'd offer.

[EmmieAZ]

I would say go for it. If you are truly saved, then you have nothing to fear. We are to be in the world, not of it. How can we be in it if we are scared of it? I would definitely be in prayer before you read it, but I say go for it.