John 4:39-42

“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.

40. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.

41. And many more believed because of his own word;

42. And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. ”

We tend to guard our past, or white wash it and only tell what we want people to know. But there are times when we need to tell people our whole testimony.

I understand the need for discretion. When some people know your history they want to use it as a weapon against you. However, the past is just that, it is the past. You cannot change it. What you can do is share the lessons you have learned from it to save someone else from making the same mistakes.

However, when God has delivered you, worked a miracle on your behalf, made a way out of no way, etc. it is not just for you. The wonders he works in our lives is also for all those that he allows cross our path. You need to tell of the goodness of the Lord.

The Samaritan woman at the well, she ran to tell the men about what Jesus had done. Initially, they took the woman at her word and believed. They then went out to meet Jesus for themselves. They spent time with him. They then moved from believing on the basis of her testimony, to believing Jesus based on the experience they with him.

Our testimony will serve the same purpose. People will be drawn to God because of your testimony. However, they will stay or cultivate their own relationship with him because of how good he his. Your testimony is essential in drawing people to God. But it is God who will give them all the reasons they need to stay.

Tell your testimony, God will do the rest.

Just a word of caution. Make sure you are led by God to understand the appropriate time to share it. There are always wolves out there. But try not to be ashamed about where God has brought you from, your past helped to shape you into the person you are. A person that God can use to reach others. Be bold and trust God.