When teaching the gospel or conversing with a friend, a position of neutrality is the most powerful position from which to converse. Neutrality offers you the best chance of conversing in a space of trust and respect.
Persuading has two distinct meanings in the bible. If you wish to persuade in the proper sense, neutrality is the most effective way. It is building confidence and trust.
However, persuading in the wrong way doesn’t require neutrality. In fact, being neutral is not a concern, because deception is the operative point of view.
Here is how Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible defines persuade.
To persuade:
O.T. 6601 to open, deceive, allure, enlarge, entice, flatter
O.T. 5496 to stimulate, seduce, move, provoke, set on, stir up, take away
N.T. 3982 to convince by argument, assure, believe, have confidence, trust
N.T. 4135 to destroy, circumcise, cut down in pieces
To persuade from a manipulative standpoint is ineffective and counter to inviting the spirit.
According to Wikipedia: persuade is a euphemism for torture.
To persuade in order to open up the mind, to stimulate thought, to develop confidence, and to build trust; is in harmony with the spirit.
