Working with unbelievers...

Let Your Light Shine.....

Brother...as tough as I know that must be it sounds to me like you are working in your very own mission field. Let your light so shine......:saint:

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

Been there....

....done that!

I understand your concerns. Because of a divorce, the majority of my career has been spent in secular employment. And secular employment eqautes to all the negative things I read in your OP!

All you can do is make sure you, your heart, mind and spirit are "blood covered" before, during and after you return from work every day!

Now some of you on the board may think that to "blood cover" is something from the charismatic doctrines, and while it may well be....I found that it really helped me to leave the negative influences at the place I worked, not bringing them home with me! BTW - my wife also prayed for me, which meant I had that second party in prayer to assure that God was going to do what I asked in Jesus name!

When I say "blood cover" yourself, it is as simple as praying before work, during work [remember we were told to pray without "ceasing"], and on your way home!

This will clear your mind, heart and spirit of the disgusting things, words and negative spirit that your employment surrounds, confronts and accosts you with while you continue to support your family [you need to work]!

I spent my career in work with youth, teens and families. I loved what I did, but, some of the people, and the environemnt itself, was at times morally disgusting! To prayerfully cover oneself, is one way to keep you focused on what the Lord has for you!raying:

May He richly bless and keep you! In Jesus I thank you for your candidness! :thumbsup:

Pastor Paul raying:

 

I would rather work with unbelievers than with Christians. I've done both and, sad to say, I have found that unbelievers are prone to treat those that they work with more honesty than most Christians do.

 

And that is the truth. The same principle exists with those you only come in contact with on Sunday morning with their smiles super glued to their face. Another post talked about working around cursing, beer drinking, and smoking. First of all, beer and smoking is not allowed anywhere I have ever worked. Secondly, the cursing can be stopped by filing a harassment complaint. The premise of putting up with the above in the workplace is unfounded. That is not to speak of the ones in a Christian vocation who do the same thing.

Also, since when is smoking a sin? Smoke and mirrors.

 

My advice to you is to realize that you are there to support a family. As I said, the cursing can be stopped by whatever your company's policy is towards harassment. As far as telling your coworkers about Jesus, common sense usually lets you know the time and place. I would guess it would be on a break or at lunch.

 

While it is difficult at times, I see as an chance to shine the light in darkness.

 

Just standard stuff if you are living for the Lord. REJOYCE!

 

Amen to that. I completely agree. So many of the "christians" I have worked with have been so fake and extremely lazy. I enjoy working along side of unbelievers. I do not expect them to live with the same morals as I. I expect them to cuss and to act like unbelievers. I want them to be real and to not pretend to be someone they aren't because of me. I am not interested in seeing them clean their morals up and act more "christian". I want to build a relationship with them and allow them to see Christ in both my actions and my words. If/when they come to know Christ, then He will take care of the rest.

 

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While this may be painting with a bit of a broad brush, it is generally a truth. I teach literacy one day a week. Everyone there is lost, as far as I know, but they are people who work hard and love the kids we teach. I am treated with respect and friendliness.

 

Could be conditional....

Roger...good to see something by you...haven't seen you post much lately.

Now...to what you and Mex are saying...sometimes it probably is easier to work with the unsaved.....BUT....I highly suspect that if we, as saved folks were to get more "aggressive" or out-spoken with our witness then their attitude toward us might not be as tolerant or friendly with the current state of things in the culture today. We should ALWAYS be kind regardless but it is likely that if we are living a consistent testimony (both in our actions and our speech)...AND, if we openly declare the truths of the Word of God about their sin and their need of our Saviour, then it is likely that our lives (if we are consistent and faithful) will be a rebuke (either spoken or silent) to theirs.....not all the time, but many times...yes?/no? I do not in any way or by any means suggest or endorse that we should EVER be deliberately offensive, belligerent, or unkind to anyone. I believe we should be "turn the other cheek" believers being willing to suffer and be longsuffering in our love and patience for those who oppose themselves in unbelief. That's just MHO.

Bro.Greg raying:

 

I don't know. I am very clear about my testimony and my witness. I don't witness 'on the clock' because my employer owns my time for those hours, but in off the clock discussions I am very, very clear in my testimony.

I had step away for a few months. Just dipping my toes in the water again.

 

Couldn't agree more. But what we term "persecution" here in the USA would be laughed off by believers in Muslim countries. Having someone cuss at me because I am a witness for Christ is a very light "persecution", indeed.

 

Christians are no worse than any one else. More is simply expected.

 

Should it not be?