When the Gospel Bothers You, It May Be Time to Look Inward

As believers, we often celebrate when the gospel reaches new people—until it comes through a voice, style, or person we don’t expect.

You may have felt it before. Someone shares their faith publicly, talks about what God is doing in their life, or boldly speaks about Jesus—and instead of joy, something rises up inside you. Irritation. Suspicion. A quiet judgment.

“They’re just trying to get attention.” They’re trying to look spiritual.” Why do they always have to post about Jesus?”

But Scripture confronts that response head-on.

In Philippians 1:18, the apostle Paul says something that challenges our hearts deeply. He acknowledges that some people preach Christ with mixed or even selfish motives—yet he declares that he rejoices anyway, because Christ is being preached.

That statement should stop us in our tracks.

Paul wrote those words while imprisoned. He had suffered for the gospel, been misunderstood, falsely accused, and opposed. Yet when Christ’s name was proclaimed—even through imperfect vessels—Paul chose joy over jealousy, celebration over suspicion.

So why does it sometimes bother us?

Often, our reaction reveals more about our own hearts than about the person sharing Christ.

When someone expressing their faith frustrates us, it’s worth asking:

• Why does this bother me?

• Is this true discernment—or personal discomfort?

• Am I reacting to the message, or to the messenger?

• Would I feel differently if God used someone I approved of?

We can become so focused on how the gospel is shared or who is sharing it that we forget what is being shared.

The gospel has always moved through imperfect people. God has never waited for flawless messengers to proclaim a perfect Savior. If He did, none of us would qualify.

When Christ is being spoken, seeds are being planted. Lives are being reached. Truth is going forth—even if the vessel isn’t packaged the way we would prefer.

Instead of rolling our eyes or questioning motives, perhaps the Spirit is inviting us to humility. To ask God to search our hearts. To rejoice that His name is being lifted in a world that desperately needs to hear it.

The gospel does not belong to a personality type, a platform size, a denomination, or a delivery style. It belongs to Jesus.

And when Jesus is being preached, the Church should celebrate.

Not because the vessel is perfect—but because the message is powerful.