When people experience inner discomfort because of their own cognitive dissonance, they seek to relieve it in several different ways. These include: (1) Changing the behaviour (stop the habit); (2) Changing their belief (e.g., “It’s not really unhealthy”); (3) Adding justifications (e.g., “I need this right now because I’m stressed / busy / over-worked etc.”); (4) Minimising the inconsistency (e.g., “It’s only occasional”). The choice they make will be between them and God. Hopefully, that choice will be a principled one that brings their soul back into congruence. Our role, in witnessing for Christ, is not to make this decision for them, but to help them make that choice themselves. Therefore, we may respond to their discomfort by sharing the solution we have found to such problems, which is faith in Him. We may then offer to pray with them, and if they are open to it, lead them in the Sinner’s Prayer, that they may be born again.
