Important Tips to Keep in Mind

Here are a few basic guidelines to keep in mind when writing your own four-part testimony.

1. Have the right motive.

The motive of your life testimony must be to glorify God, not yourself or your experiences, and certainly not your past failures.

2. Have friends evaluate your testimony.

Often a person will give to a friend a detailed account of God’s work in his life. Certain important points will stand out to his friend and cause him to rejoice in the report. However, all too often, when the friend urges the person to repeat the testimony to another friend, significant points will be left out or reworded, and the effectiveness of the testimony will be greatly diminished.

3. Be careful to avoid certain dangers

• Do not describe details of sinful acts.
• Do not use words that may stir up lustful thoughts.
• Do not repeat vulgar expressions.
• Do not refer to other people without their approval.
• Do not put others in a bad light.
• Do not make a joke of sin.
• Do not imitate mental, emotional, or physical handicaps.
• Do not speak or write too soon after a failure.

4. Create interest in each point.

Use curiosity to create interest in what you have to say. This is done by using a question or a statement that will cause your listener to want to hear more. Rather than saying, “I envied my brother” say, “I secretly began doing something that damaged our relationship.” Then go on to explain what you did.

5. Build your testimony around the principles of Scripture.

It is important to explain how you applied a command of Christ in a specific situation. Emphasize the cause-and-effect sequences, and show how God’s principles revealed the true working of human nature.

6. Evaluate the importance of your message.

Ask yourself if you would want to hear the rest of the message. A listener will say yes if your testimony is in terms of what he or she needs to hear. Since we all have similar temptations and struggles, this should not be difficult. The length of your testimony should be carefully related to the schedule and interests of your listeners.

7. Be prepared for testing

Whenever you give a public testimony, you can expect to be tested in it. God’s purpose through this testing is not to negate your testimony but to force you to see deeper and richer truths related to it.