Christian coworker

[ZiSunka]

One of my new coworkers is a Christian who does the most offensive things. He's the laziest guy on the crew, always complaining about too much work and telling people they should slow down to drag the work out longer so we don't get new work assigned to us when we are finished. He's also always complaining about the work conditions (it's not an awful place to work at all), and about the pay (it's what we agreed to work for), and most of all, he's always preaching at people, telling them they are horrible sinners and they must repent and telling them why their beliefs are no good. It's not working and he's actually pusing people away from sharing his faith rather than drawing them near.

I hate to criticize a brother in the Lord. When he's not around though, people tell me that they would never follow his God because he's such a poor witness.

I guess I'm saying all this because he's such a perfect example of how NOT to be a Christian that I have learned many important lessons from him in the few weeks we have worked together.

 

[aReformedPatriot]

you should do what Nathan did to King david after his sin with bathsheba. Tell him a variation of the parable of talents and ascribe it to a certain co-worker. When he asks who it is tell him that he is the sloth. Then point out scriptures that say to be content in all things and quit belly aching.

then: 2Ti 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,
2Ti 2:25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
2Ti 2:26 and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

 

[Terri]

I would make sure that he knows the gospel first. There are a lot of people that think they are Christian that are not.

I would ask him what makes him a Christian. If he answers anything other than Christ's sacrifice I would explain to him the true gospel.

An awful lot of people think that just being a good person and knowing that Jesus existed makes them a Christian. They have never realized that they are themselves horrible sinners and that they deserve to go to hell and that THEY need a Savior. People like this are usually terrible witnesses for Christ as they don't have the Spirit.

 

[seebs]

http://www.matthewsturges.com/correction/2004/06/the_death_of_ev.php

Print out that essay and hand it to him. He needs to read it.

 

[ZiSunka]

Amazing article! I printed it out and will give it to him at an opportune moment!

 

[GreenEyedLady]

I am wondering if he is not just a babe in Christ. I know even myself was a zelous idot until I got on an eating schedule back in 1999!
HAHAHhhaha

 

[ZiSunka]

I am wondering if he is not just a babe in Christ. I know even myself was a zelous idot until I got on an eating schedule back in 1999!
HAHAHhhaha

Says he's been saved 15 years now. Goes to a baptist church.

 

[seebs]

There's a comment about work experience. You can have ten years of experience, or one year of experience ten times.

He may have fifteen years of experience in the faith, repeated over and over.

Anyway, good luck. I have had a very hard time reaching some people like that. You might consider inviting him to Bible study. You might discuss 1 Peter 3:15 with him. What is it to give an answer "in meekness"?

 

[ZiSunka]

There's a comment about work experience. You can have ten years of experience, or one year of experience ten times.

He may have fifteen years of experience in the faith, repeated over and over.

Anyway, good luck. I have had a very hard time reaching some people like that. You might consider inviting him to Bible study. You might discuss 1 Peter 3:15 with him. What is it to give an answer "in meekness"?

The man is constantly quoting the Bible. He's no novice or stranger to the teachings of Jesus. He's not a babe in Christ at all. He just doesn't think his actions speak much louder than his words. He doesn't realize that it's no good to tell people how connected he is to God when he's leaning on his shovel, so to speak, when everyone else is slaving away to make up for the work he isn't doing. Today I saw a person in distress in the park and he walked right by them because he was going to be late for lunch. I stopped to help, like anyone else would have done, and yes, I was five minutes late to lunch, but so what? Isn't helping someone more important that getting to the microwave first?

 

[seebs]

The man is constantly quoting the Bible. He's no novice or stranger to the teachings of Jesus. He's not a babe in Christ at all. He just doesn't think his actions speak much louder than his words. He doesn't realize that it's no good to tell people how connected he is to God when he's leaning on his shovel, so to speak, when everyone else is slaving away to make up for the work he isn't doing. Today I saw a person in distress in the park and he walked right by them because he was going to be late for lunch. I stopped to help, like anyone else would have done, and yes, I was five minutes late to lunch, but so what? Isn't helping someone more important that getting to the microwave first?

Oh, man.

I've known people like that. *sigh*. I have no idea how to reach out to them.

I guess, the thing to keep in mind is... He's just as lost and alone as anyone else is, and he is probably afraid. He needs comfort and support so he can feel good enough to risk asking himself some hard questions.

You might ask him about things like that, when you notice them. "Hey, did you see that guy in the park?" Just wave the possibility of doing good in front of him.

This is the danger of realizing that our works do not save us; we start thinking that if God can save us no matter what, it doesn't matter what we do. Well, even if you get to go to Heaven, what about the people you weren't nice to? Didn't you leave them sad when you could have made them happy?

 

[mesue]

One of my new coworkers is a Christian who does the most offensive things. He's the laziest guy on the crew, always complaining about too much work and telling people they should slow down to drag the work out longer so we don't get new work assigned to us when we are finished. He's also always complaining about the work conditions (it's not an awful place to work at all), and about the pay (it's what we agreed to work for), and most of all, he's always preaching at people, telling them they are horrible sinners and they must repent and telling them why their beliefs are no good. It's not working and he's actually pusing people away from sharing his faith rather than drawing them near.

I hate to criticize a brother in the Lord. When he's not around though, people tell me that they would never follow his God because he's such a poor witness.

I guess I'm saying all this because he's such a perfect example of how NOT to be a Christian that I have learned many important lessons from him in the few weeks we have worked together.

You can give him scripture back, like:

Proverbs 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own conceit than seven men that can render a reason.

or, it sounds like he has knowledge but no love, like a puffed up gas bag person that calls himself a Christian. Just because one spouts off Bible verses doesn't make them a Christian.
1Corinthians 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

as for his lack of work ethic, you can lead him to Ephesisans 6:
Ephesisans 6:5: Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Ephesisans 6:6: Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Ephesisans 6:7: With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Ephesisans 6:8: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

I hope I was helpful. Sometimes people don't realize they're being gas bags until it is pointed out to them in truth and love. Have you spoken to him as in Matthew 18? He needs to be reminded of who he is and Who he serves. Pray about it and speak to him as the Lord leads. I will pray for you too.

 

[ZiSunka]

I guess, the thing to keep in mind is... He's just as lost and alone as anyone else is, and he is probably afraid. He needs comfort and support so he can feel good enough to risk asking himself some hard questions.

I think you might be right. His words are all about the Bible, but his actions make me wonder how much he really knows about Christ. I'm not saying that I necessarily doubt his salvation, but I do wonder if he maybe goes to one of those churches that is constantly preaching about getting saved, but never going any deeper into learning how to live the Christian life.

 

[newbeliever02072005]

http://www.matthewsturges.com/correction/2004/06/the_death_of_ev.php

Print out that essay and hand it to him. He needs to read it.

Excellent article, thank you for posting it.

 

[mesue]

http://www.matthewsturges.com/correction/2004/06/the_death_of_ev.php

Print out that essay and hand it to him. He needs to read it.

Is that your blog?

 

[ZiSunka]

Today he acted completely unlike a Christian. He talked about admiring women's butts (but he used the "a" word), used every kind of foul language, asked someone to read his horoscope to him, and looked all through a women's magazine and ogled the pictures of women in bikinis.

I tried to broach the subject of intergated living by asking him what church he goes to, and he became extremely defensive that I would even ask. His answer was, "What brought this on?" When I said I was just curious, he went off on how other churches are full of **** and only his has the answers.

I don't think it's going to just be a matter of handing him that article. I'm starting to doubt that he even knows the Lord.

 

[Bingle]

Mate with fruit like that he's lost as a goose.


Tell him to keep his faith to himself because 'faith without works is dead.'

You have a responsibility to stop him from harming the cause of Christ. "Rebuke the unfruitful works of darkness."

 

[LostnFound]

Wow, LL. You have a problem, don't you? I am a more confrontational person than I suspect you are, when it comes to irritating people. I think I would just flat out say something to the effect of, "That's not what MY church teaches ME about Christ-like living!".

 

[SonOfThunder]

Satan is cunning, be careful, be prayerful for this man and those that come into contact with him.

Scripture ping pong or Godly counsel may not work, but God is well able to work in this mans life and close the ears of those that hear him.


James

 

[FreeinChrist]

Today he acted completely unlike a Christian. He talked about admiring women's butts (but he used the "a" word), used every kind of foul language, asked someone to read his horoscope to him, and looked all through a women's magazine and ogled the pictures of women in bikinis.

well, sounds like he is crossing a line regarding appropriateness in the workplace regarding sexual issues (I'm drawing a blank on the correct term). Most companies have guidelines about appropriate behavior. You might need to go to management.

I tried to broach the subject of intergated living by asking him what church he goes to, and he became extremely defensive that I would even ask. His answer was, "What brought this on?" When I said I was just curious, he went off on how other churches are full of **** and only his has the answers.

I don't think it's going to just be a matter of handing him that article. I'm starting to doubt that he even knows the Lord.

Doesn't sound like he does. Sounds like he really missed the message. You can probably quote the scripture that addresses his poor witness in swearing and sloth, etc. But....he may not take it from a woman, and not from a coworker.

It would be tempting to talk to his pastor - but that is asking for trouble.

 

[seebs]

Is that your blog?

Hah! I wish. No, I found Matthew Sturges through a link from Real Live Preacher. My blog (easy enough to find if you google seebs) isn't nearly so good.