Have you ever been attacked by someone for no good reason? I don’t mean attacked physically but through a person’s words or through their tone of voice?
When you do, you almost always end up getting your feelings hurt. Additionally, if you’re not careful in the way you react, you can end up in a heated argument that will steal your time and lead you nowhere.
I had a recent experience that I’d like to share with you while I was trying to share Christ with someone on Twitter. I’d love to hear your feedback and to see how you would handle things if you were in the same situation.
Some background info
Sometimes I start following people on Twitter who have the word “God” in their Twitter bio. You’d think the majority of them would be Christians but to your surprise, you’ll find some of them are actually atheists.
They usually have the word “God” in their bio to express their disdain for any form of deity or religion. Sometimes I start following these folks just to see what they have to say and to see if maybe we can start a friendship.
Some of them are friendly and they start following me back. Others politely tell me I’ll be offended if I read their tweets. I always reply back by telling them I like to meet new people who have different views than I do.
I’m not even offended by their tweets against God because I remember I too was once His enemy (Colossians 1:21).
I very rarely start by giving someone the Gospel right away. I almost always try to build a relationship first. That way, the person is more receptive to what I have to say.
The best way to tell you the story
I debated whether I should mention this person by his Twitter account or not since our conversation was public via mentions. I decided I won’t because I don’t want my atheist friends to think I’m targeting them.
Disclaimer: I want to clearly state some atheists are nice while others are not so much.
I want to make the point that all atheists are not created equal. Some of them are very nice and decent people, while others can be rude and feisty. Unfortunately, the same thing can be said of Christians .
By the way, I have some very nice friends of mine who are atheists. We go to dinner together, have fun and we engage in all sorts of conversations, including topics about God. They hope that they will convince me there is no God, and I hope the Holy Spirit will convince them of just the opposite.
The conversation on Twitter
OK, here it is:
Atheist: hey, new follower. Have you heard the rumor? There is no #god. Not a shred of proof either. Your God did not create technology.
Peter: hi there, I beg to differ, there is irrefutable evidence that God does exist. You interested?
Atheist: Helllooo… I’m still waiting for my proof. (it took me 1 day for me to respond so I guess he was eager to see the evidence that I was talking about)
Peter: okay here is a good link. Please read it in its entirety without skipping any parts and then we can discuss. (link to Charlie Campbell’s evidence for existence of God)
Atheist: you’re an idiot. This backward thought never approaches fact, and you should be embarrassed for presenting it as such. Shameful. (I didn’t respond right away)
Atheist: do yourself a favor and get a real education. Reading one easy book is not the same as reading a bunch of hard ones. Go away.
Peter: okay, thank you very much for your feedback, God bless you sir
Atheist: you’re a strange person. Wake up and educate yourself. Living in a fog like yours is no way to live. #biblethumper
What I did to get even
I decided to follow biblical principles that I believe apply to the situation. These two verses are what I used to justify my response in which I had said: “Thank you very much for your feedback, God bless you sir 
” Luke 6:27-28
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
It’s been my experience that if someone is this closed off to the things of God and attacks you, then taking it any further at the present time will lead to arguments and debate only.
What would you do?
Here’s your chance to lay it on me. Did I do the right thing? How would you respond if you were in this situation? 
