“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2
It started in high school. Teachers would tell the students, “know your audience.” Then, in college, my professors echoed the same message, “know your audience.” Since I double minored in Speech and Philosophy, I had a lot of classes about audiences. As a pastor and minister of over 20 years, I have stood before numerous audiences. It is one thing to be IN the audience, another to ADDRESS an audience, and still another to BE the audience.
Audiences can also come in all shapes and sizes. As such, here are the basics for “knowing your audience”:
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- Identify Audience: God
- Define Demographics of your Audience: Eternity/Heaven/Creation
- Research what appeals to your demographic: Practicing the Great Commission, sharing the Good News with others, and seeking God.
- Know where they (He) spend time online: translation…PRAY. Before WIFI, God established prayer. It is wireless, always connected, and the most effective form of communication in the entire creation.
Some may question the marketing slant. Look at it this way, the only person you are looking for approval from is God.
With the human audiences we stand before, find ourselves within, and even when others make you the audience, it is imperative to remember that God is present and He is the audience.
One axiom I use in counseling, is remembering that God was at work in the client before they came to see me, He is at work in them while they are in counseling, and He will continue to work in their lives after they have left my office. Therefore, in all circumstances, God is the audience.
The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. – Proverbs 15:3
Perhaps some examples will drive home the point even more.
Example:
- Audience as others – In God’s economy, others are a sub or micro audience at best. In our economy as Christians, we should be resolved to guide the audience of others toward reflecting upon, considering, and accepting God.
- Audience and me – When I find myself in and around sub or micro audiences, one thing I can do is pray for those I am in contact with and those delivering the message to the sub or micro group. Another thing I can do is ask God how I can be of use in the crowd. Lastly, I should be intently looking for opportunities to engage sub and micro audiences for the furtherance of the Kingdom.
- Me as audience – Whenever I find myself being the audience or notice people trying to make me the audience, I need to practice the art of deflecting. There is nothing wrong with saying: “Thank you, I praise God for _________”. When attention or “Shade” as we say today is thrown your way say, “Praise the Lord” or “To God be glory.”
There is a verse that speaks directly to these examples.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16
Notice how Jesus directs His disciples to live so much for God that others notice and give glory to God. Another way to see if God should be the audience is to perform a kind of check on math, so to speak.
Exhibits (some people in the Bible who understood God as audience):
- Able and Seth two of Adam and Eve’s children
- Noah
- Abraham
- Job
- Samuel
- King David
- Deborah
- The Major and Minor Prophets
- King Solomon
- Jesus
- 11 of the 12 disciples
- Paul
- John the Baptist
And many others. Now look at those who did not see God as audience, exactly! When we live as if God is the audience, God is glorified. Are we not called to glorify God?
Even in the end, at the Judgement, God is the audience. Metaphysically, the Angels understand God as the audience. Creation understands God as the audience. And yes, Satan himself understands God is the audience but he does all He can to distract us from seeing God as the audience.
God is our audience!
Do you know your audience? A great way to know that you know, that you know God is by making Him your audience every day and in every moment. Even as I conclude this entry, I have been writing to an audience, a sub audience but it is not lost on me that God has been my audience for this message. Thank you God and may you be glorified by those who read this message. Amen!
