Persuade

To persuade is to move by argument, to convince,  or win over.   It is to cause someone to believe something. 

People are persuaded of many different things that pertain to the matters of life.  

Why some people are persuaded of a matter and others not is not easy to discern or explain—so many factors are involved.

To be persuaded is to believe.

If you are persuaded, then you believe. 

If you are not persuaded, then you don’t. 

This can be seen in the book of Acts 28:23-24 concerning the Apostle Paul’s encounter with Jews in Rome during his imprisonment there.

 Vs23:  “So when they [the Jews] had appointed him a day, many came to him [Paul] at [his] lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God,

persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. “

Vs 24:  “And some were  persuaded 

by the things which were spoken,

and some disbelieved.”

Notice the contrast in verse 24, some were persuaded but some disbelieved.

The opposite of being persuaded is to disbelieve.

A person may want to believe something, but until they are persuaded, they don’t believe—though they may be close to believing.

I believe this account in the Gospel of Mark 9:23-24 shows this:

Vs23:  Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things [are] possible to him who believes." 

Vs24:  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord, I believe;  help  my  unbelief !"

I believe this man was saying to Jesus that he wanted to believe but was still unsure--he needed help.

One of the main reasons Jesus did miracles was to give attestation to who He was so people could believe in who he was and what he said.

Then Jesus said to him, "Unless you [people] see  signs   and   wonders, you will by no means believe."  The Gospel of John 4:48

It takes more than evidence to win people over. 

There must be a willingness to be won over or at least a willingness to consider the evidence and /or argument. 

Sometimes, there are obstacles that hinder one from being won over, such as how it will affect one’s status (job, etc.) or relationships (marriage, family) or lifestyle.

Someone might be unwilling to consider something on the basis of how it might affect them or of a fear that it might require a sacrifice or cause conflict that they don’t want to have.

There must be a willingness to consider and look into something in order to be persuaded--it’s not easy to believe.

When the Apostle Paul was giving his defense, while imprisoned in Caesarea,  concerning his life, faith, and ministry, before King Agrippa II and Festus, the Governor of Judea, we see this response…

At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. 
"You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted.

"Your great learning is driving you insane."

"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied.

"What I am saying is true and reasonable. 

 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 

Then Agrippa said to Paul,

"Do you think that in such a short time

you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 

Paul replied, "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."  
Acts 26:24-29 NIV

To Festus, a Roman, Paul’s words were madness, but for Agrippa, with his Jewish family ties and knowledge, and his belief in the Jewish prophets and his involvement in the operation of Jewish Temple, the words of Paul concerning Jesus should have been seriously considered.

Why Agrippa apparently was not persuaded, we don’t know.  Though maybe his status kept him from wanting to share in Paul’s insanity—as Festus saw it--before those present.  If he would have been willing to listen longer, would he have been persuaded?  

This is where the will plays a part. 

Do you really want to know?

Do you really want to look into it? 

If not, you may never be persuaded.

It’s not easy to believe.