Addressing sin with non-believers?

Brotherly Spirit · Feb 14, 2019

Today I had very awkward moments at work. Doesn't help when I'm not always sure when they're serious or joking with me (pulling my leg). Either I believe should be when as a believer something should be said, but with regard to the context. Until now morally questionable comments have been clearly them joking, so I've been unsure and afraid to say something when it's not serious.

But something serious in my mind was said, later he said was only messing with me. This was after I told him the alternative of what he was immorally claiming. He as a comparison asked about another religion (or denomination depending on how you think about it), basically what about them and aren't I just as religious. The point is I believe this and they believe that, so I couldn't say he's wrong. I didn't want to judge, so I said it's not what I believe and that's what they believe. He repeats I couldn't say he's wrong, total he said it multiple times and the last time I felt it was important to say it's wrong but not judge. What I actually said was it's wrong but telling you that won't make a difference if you don't believe it.

How do y'all address sin with non-believers or any people? What's the best approach to not seem or sound like a judgmental religious stranger who's out there? I'm unsure how I could had brought it to Jesus and hope that does the speaking needed personally, would been random considering the context; as Christians speaking for the Lord is it okay rely on his character through us even if we don't specifically preach his name? Also generally, what's y'all approach to sharing your beliefs with people, personally I'm the quit type and wait for people to say something about it being conservative and cautious?

crossnote · Feb 14, 2019

If you say we are all sinners and use some examples from the 10 Commandments it takes away the judging aspect.

Brotherly Spirit · Feb 14, 2019

crossnote said:
If you say we are all sinners and use some examples from the 10 Commandments it takes away the judging aspect.

Good idea, I had moments when it seemed I needed to clarify it wasn't judgment of him. That I was addressing the wrong and it's harm.

Tolworth John · Feb 15, 2019

Brotherly Spirit said:
He as a comparison asked about another religion (or denomination depending on how you think about it), basically what about them and aren't I just as religious.

Keep things simple, it is not a case of whether a Ford car or a Nissen car is better, but a case of what is required to make a car work.

It does'nt matter whether he's questioning Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Mormon, Muslim, Budhist moral believes.

The question is how does God view sin.
He sent his Son to die to pay for sin.

John 3:16 to 18 talk about v 18.

Brotherly Spirit · Feb 15, 2019

Tolworth John said:
Keep things simple, it is not a case of whether a Ford car or a Nissen car is better, but a case of what is required to make a car work.

It does'nt matter whether he's questioning Baptist, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Mormon, Muslim, Budhist moral believes.

The question is how does God view sin.
He sent his Son to die to pay for sin.

John 3:16 to 18 talk about v 18.

Best advice for any of us, it's the old K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid). It's definitely easy to complicate going from one point to the next, bunch of circling when one could simply draw a straight line. I like your example a lot, even right and wrong can be known by what works or doesn't work. Just a matter of learning how to communicate the difference for them. Actually help them think about it and not unintentionally corner them feeling judged. Not telling them THAT'S WRONG and THIS IS RIGHT.

Yes the big question which is difficult to answer even personally. We're called to witness and testify the Lord's good news and the life he gave for us, but also be honest speaking his truth. When faced with difficulty and inexperience serving him, all I can do is have faith regardless of myself and learn from my mistakes or failures for growth.

Thank y'all for your advice, I'm continuing to think about it. Much of my faith has been untested beyond personal practice at home and online. I feel this is an eye opener to the reality of being a believer who follows the Lord, openly and truthfully confessing him.

Tolworth John · Feb 15, 2019

Brotherly Spirit said:
Best advice for any of us, it's the old K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid). It's definitely easy to complicate going from one point to the next, bunch of circling when one could simply draw a straight line. I like your example a lot, even right and wrong can be known by what works or doesn't work. Just a matter of learning how to communicate the difference for them. Actually help them think about it and not unintentionally corner them feeling judged. Not telling them THAT'S WRONG and THIS IS RIGHT.

Yes the big question which is difficult to answer even personally. We're called to witness and testify the Lord's good news and the life he gave for us, but also be honest speaking his truth. When faced with difficulty and inexperience serving him, all I can do is have faith regardless of myself and learn from my mistakes or failures for growth.

Thank y'all for your advice, I'm continuing to think about it. Much of my faith has been untested beyond personal practice at home and online. I feel this is an eye opener to the reality of being a believer who follows the Lord, openly and truthfully confessing him.

Two usefull sites
coldcasechristianity + reasonablefaith

one tip, take a christian book you are reading in to work and leave it on your desk. It will generate questions/conversations.

LoricaLady · Feb 16, 2019

Brotherly Spirit said:
Today I had very awkward moments at work. Doesn't help when I'm not always sure when they're serious or joking with me (pulling my leg). Either I believe should be when as a believer something should be said, but with regard to the context. Until now morally questionable comments have been clearly them joking, so I've been unsure and afraid to say something when it's not serious.

But something serious in my mind was said, later he said was only messing with me. This was after I told him the alternative of what he was immorally claiming. He as a comparison asked about another religion (or denomination depending on how you think about it), basically what about them and aren't I just as religious. The point is I believe this and they believe that, so I couldn't say he's wrong. I didn't want to judge, so I said it's not what I believe and that's what they believe. He repeats I couldn't say he's wrong, total he said it multiple times and the last time I felt it was important to say it's wrong but not judge. What I actually said was it's wrong but telling you that won't make a difference if you don't believe it.

How do y'all address sin with non-believers or any people? What's the best approach to not seem or sound like a judgmental religious stranger who's out there? I'm unsure how I could had brought it to Jesus and hope that does the speaking needed personally, would been random considering the context; as Christians speaking for the Lord is it okay rely on his character through us even if we don't specifically preach his name? Also generally, what's y'all approach to sharing your beliefs with people, personally I'm the quit type and wait for people to say something about it being conservative and cautious?

Conservative and cautious is the way to go. The Bible tells us"Be discrete in evil times....Rebuke a fool and he will hate you....Do not cast what is holy to the dogs or feed your pearls to the swine...."

Now the tricky part is that some who seem like dogs and swine may be saved some day. Bear in mind though, that "few" will take the narrow path to salvation. There is no way, probably, for you to know which, if any, of the arfers and oinkers (which we all were initially) are going to be saved. Only the Holy Spirit can guide you on that. If He prompts you to witness, go with His way of doing so. Otherwise, your best witness is always the way you lead your life while you let them live theirs without judgementalness or criticism.

Kaon · Feb 16, 2019

Brotherly Spirit said:
How do y'all address sin with non-believers or any people? What's the best approach to not seem or sound like a judgmental religious stranger who's out there? I

Don't. Let them ask you.

Brotherly Spirit · Feb 16, 2019

Thank y'all for your advice.

aiki · Feb 16, 2019

Brotherly Spirit said:
He as a comparison asked about another religion (or denomination depending on how you think about it), basically what about them and aren't I just as religious. The point is I believe this and they believe that, so I couldn't say he's wrong.

Not following you here. What difference does it make to your claim that what your co-worker had said was morally wrong that another religion holds a view different from your own? The mere presence of debate or controversy about a claim does not necessarily make it false. Now, it might take some work to explain how your moral claim is true and all others are not (if they disagree with your claim), but that there are a variety of views differing from your own doesn't automatically prove your claim is not correct.

In the context of a discussion about what is and isn't morally right, it doesn't matter what a person believes; it only matters if their belief is true. Morality is not merely a matter of personal preference or belief. Some things are really wrong and some really right. God tells us which are which. What's more, the eternal consequences of making an error in this area are very dire. (Romans 6:23; James 1:13-16).

Brotherly Spirit said:
How do y'all address sin with non-believers or any people?

See 2 Timothy 2:24-26 and Ephesians 5:1-13.

LoricaLady · Feb 17, 2019

The fact that there are thousands of religions, with contradictory claims, actually shows us that we cannot count on the wisdom of men. The first law of logic is that two contradictory statements cannot be true. Therefore either all the religions can be wrong, or one and only one can be right.

There are all kinds of ways to defend Christianity. I always say "It makes the best case. It makes a great case. It makes the only case." However, who has time in short conversations to defend it in any depth? Some say that the best way to witness under such circumstances, again if and as the Holy Spirit directs, is to give instances of how your life has been changed and helped since you became a believer.

Really nothing we say will mean a thing, though, unless the Holy Spirit starts working on their minds and hearts and, of course, prayer is needed for that.

Andrew77 · Feb 17, 2019

Brotherly Spirit said:
Today I had very awkward moments at work. Doesn't help when I'm not always sure when they're serious or joking with me (pulling my leg). Either I believe should be when as a believer something should be said, but with regard to the context. Until now morally questionable comments have been clearly them joking, so I've been unsure and afraid to say something when it's not serious.

But something serious in my mind was said, later he said was only messing with me. This was after I told him the alternative of what he was immorally claiming. He as a comparison asked about another religion (or denomination depending on how you think about it), basically what about them and aren't I just as religious. The point is I believe this and they believe that, so I couldn't say he's wrong. I didn't want to judge, so I said it's not what I believe and that's what they believe. He repeats I couldn't say he's wrong, total he said it multiple times and the last time I felt it was important to say it's wrong but not judge. What I actually said was it's wrong but telling you that won't make a difference if you don't believe it.

How do y'all address sin with non-believers or any people? What's the best approach to not seem or sound like a judgmental religious stranger who's out there? I'm unsure how I could had brought it to Jesus and hope that does the speaking needed personally, would been random considering the context; as Christians speaking for the Lord is it okay rely on his character through us even if we don't specifically preach his name? Also generally, what's y'all approach to sharing your beliefs with people, personally I'm the quit type and wait for people to say something about it being conservative and cautious?

I am lost as to the nature of the conversation.

My answer would depend on context. In a work environment, I would let the conversation go.

If someone is asking why I believe something, I simply explain why I believe it. G-d has shown up in my life, in clear undeniable ways. Answers to prayer.

And they are going to say it's fairy tales and coincidence, and I just say 'ok, that's your opinion, and I gave you mine. So is there anything else?'

And let them mock your faith. Who cares? Stand for what you believe, even when they mock you. I'm good with it.

Listen, the bottom line is, if people are not ridiculing you for you speaking out what you believe... then you are doing it wrong.

Sometimes I run into Christians that ask me how to speak to pagans about Christianity without being insulted or mocked.... and I think to myself.... is not the King of our faith, the King who was mocked, ridiculed and insulted, and then executed? Jesus was mocked and insulted by EVERYONE.... and he is our model, is he not?

So, don't take that to be a jerk, and rub people's noses in it... Don't do that. Don't be obnoxious.

But.... also I don't sweat it out about what to say. We Believe, and that's all I need.

Why do you believe? I have my own answer. I assume you have yours. Just tell them that, and let it go. Don't get caught up in pagan arguments.

Remember when the religious leaders were interrogating the former blind man? Did he argue with them about their goofy points? NO. He said in John 9:25

He replied, "Whether he is a sinner or not, I don't know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"

That's all you need to answer. I don't know about all that, but what I do know is I was lost, and now I'm saved, and I believe in Jesus Christ.

Brotherly Spirit · Feb 18, 2019

Thanks for the continued advice, I've had much to consider since then. I'm hopeful if needed I'll be better prepared by the advice gave and the experience from that situation.

P.s. I like the song!

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