The acronym KISS (Keep it simple, stupid!) is said to have originated with one of Lockheed Martin’s lead engineers, Kelly Johnson, who worked for Lockheed Skunk Works, Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs division, that produced the U-2 and SR-71 spy planes, among many others.

Johnson came up with KISS during World War II. It was a way to remind his team that their state-of-the-art jets still had to be repaired by average mechanics with basic tools.[i]

Johnson died in 1990, but “Keep it simple, stupid” lives on as a valuable motto for all sorts of professionals. Web designers remember it to keep their sites navigable and fast-loading. Advertisers use it to make sure pitches are clear and direct. Communication strategists advise it to ensure presentations and talking points don’t distract from key messages.[ii]

The key principle, if it isn’t clear already, is that simplicity should be a key principle for whatever endeavor in which you are engaged. The manner in which the above-mentioned communication strategists advise its use is the closest to the topic of evangelism.

To evangelize simply means to announce or proclaim good news. The first “To” in the CMF motto is “To Win” (souls for Christ), and is the absolutely essential first step for the remaining terms in our motto “To Disciple, To Equip, To Win”.

So how does the “keep it simple” principle apply to personal evangelism? I’m so glad you asked!

First, understand how souls are ‘won’ for Christ. Remember that ‘winning souls’ is a ‘team’ effort. Our part as believers in Christ is to announce or proclaim (communicate) the good news, The other, and most important member of the ‘team’ is God himself! There’s a beautiful example of ‘soul winning’ in Acts, chapter 16, when Paul & company went down to the river to pray:

“ And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. (Acts 16:13-14, NKJV) (emphasis mine)

Lydia, a Gentile, had come to learn of and worship the one true God of the Jews. God opened her heart, Paul preached, and the next thing that happened that day was Lydia’s baptism, along with members of her household! Souls were ‘won’ for Christ that day!

Do you see what needed to happen for a soul to be won? God opened Lydia’s ‘heart’ to hear, Paul explained the gospel of Christ, Lydia believed on Christ and was saved, result in her being baptized .

So it is with us today as we share the gospel with a lost world around us. Our part as believers is to share the simple message of the gospel that Christ, trusting that God has opened hearts to ‘hear’ and believe.

Second, make sure your presentation of the gospel message is simple, clear, and direct. Remember that the gospel of Jesus Christ is about the bad news of sin (Rom 3:23) and the good news of Jesus Christ; his death, burial, and resurrection (1 Cor 15:1-4). In fact, the bad news is SO bad that no amount of good works can save a man, but God can (John 3:16).

Finally, never forget your goal in sharing the gospel is to see a soul won for Christ! Your role is to present Christ Jesus to sinful people so that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, they may come to put their trust in God through Him.

Aren’t there a lot of other things about being a Christian that you could talk about? There sure are, but they can wait. That’s where the next part of the CMF motto, “To Disciple “comes in. At the same time, be ready to answer questions that might arise. For now, keep the main thing, the MAIN thing!

So dear friends, as you continue sharing the precious gospel of Jesus Christ with you families, co-workers, school mates, friends and acquaintances,

If you are currently serving in the military or are a military veteran, you can find out more about the CMF ministry at our Homepage:  Christian Military Fellowship – Serving Our Troops or by using the following address:  https://www.cmfhq.org/.

[i]The Business Story Behind the KISS Principle – Braithwaite Communications

[ii] ibid.