How to interact with non-Christians

[Galadriel]

Welp I've never been very good in the social department, lets start with that.

I guess I just am not sure how to interact. See at work I have (of course) non-Christian even athiest coworkers, and I was joking around and having a fun time with the one, and we were laughing about how fabric can be addictive and such (we work in a fabric store), and she said something about we should make up a god of fabric and worship it (said it jokingly of course), and I didn't know what to say so I didn't say anything. I mean I guess I just am not sure how to interact. I mean I want to be friendly and such, but there are lines that we draw that non-christians couldn't understand, but yet we don't want to live in a bubble and seperate ourselves. I guess in a way I have been kind of seperating myself, because I don't know how to interact without it going somewhere I don't want it to (for instance getting chummy, then they wanting to take it further and invite me to their house, but I don't want it to go that far). I'd rather not interact in a way for now rather than interact and go too far. Is this making any sense? Does anyone else have these dilemmas?

 

[AutumnDreamer]

I totally agree fabric is addicting! And I do know what you mean. I think you not saying anything was better then joking around about it with her. I would have said something like "I wouldn't go that far" maybe it could open up a door to talk about sin, and Jesus. You have to be careful though b/c it could alienate you completely from them. Trust that God will give you the right words at the right time.

 

[janny108]

Love the avatar Galadriel!
Jan

 

[wonderwaleye]

Dear Galadriel


You had your faith slammed and you kept quiet???


They don't respect you or your GOD???


YOU STOOD QUIET WITHOUT LETTING THEM KNOW THEY JUST BLASPHEMED GOD???


YOU DID THIS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE FRIENDLY AND SUCH???


YOU DON'T WANT TO SEPERATE YOURSELF FROM THESE KIND OF ACTIONS???


Are you familiar with GOD'S WORD where JESUS said:

" GO FORTH UNTO THE ENTIRE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL " ???

Do you think JESUS knew they wouldn't just soak it up like a sponge???


DO WE SAVE THIS FOR ONLY OUR FRIENDS THAT ALREADY BELIEVE IN GOD???



" Is this making any sense? "


MY ANSWER TO THAT IS:

" ONLY TO SATIN!!! "

I wonder why Saint Paul spent all those days in jail??? Did he have to???
Was it his friends and those in agreement that put him there???


I wonder if these questions will led you to reading GOD'S WORD???




WOULD OF IT HELPED IF YOU HAD REMEMBERED:




[FONT=WST_Swed][/FONT]
XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and drag to the O ) ( then feel who is around you ) ??? steven

 

[Treasurer]

It has been awhile since I have been in the work place, lol, but I was always the Rosanne of the christian world if you can picture it, lol. A spitfire christian.

I think if we just keep sitting back and taking the back seat, pagan gods are going to be put up everywhere and worshipped!

Dont be afraid to ask people to quit swearing around you, because they sure are not bothered to offend you now are they?!!!! Dont be afraid to give them a warning why either. (Now you might not do it as mouthy as me, cuz I was a young spit fire at the time and told them they shouldnt do that being that close to the jumping off point). But you know what eventually those people quit cussing and using the Lords name in vain around me. Yet still talked to me.

Dont be afraid of who you are and dont be afraid of who the Lord is. Prophets spoke out against sin, John the baptist, lol, went right up to Herod and Herodious and said REPENT! And told them exactly why in front of God and everyone! LOL. Today we might call that a set of brass ones.

And I am sure the apostles were told to call forth repentance to the world. To warn them and not let them fall into their sins. Why else would the christians have become marytred? Cerainly not for complacency.


It seems for me, I always was getting the people willing to do dumb stuff. Had some pot head actually marker a 666 on his forehead! Oh my I went off on him! They actually seem to find pleasure in my concern for their welfare.

I have calmed down some since then, but still my tongue has a way of being like Elijah on mt Carmel with those false prophets when he was making fun of their god baal, lol.

I would like to think this girl would have gotten some wise instruction about her fabric god, instead of humerous rebuke. But who knows.

I am just saying though, you need to tell them the truth.

 

[janny108]

It has been awhile since I have been in the work place, lol, but I was always the Rosanne of the christian world if you can picture it, lol. A spitfire christian.

I think if we just keep sitting back and taking the back seat, pagan gods are going to be put up everywhere and worshipped!

Dont be afraid to ask people to quit swearing around you, because they sure are not bothered to offend you now are they?!!!! Dont be afraid to give them a warning why either. (Now you might not do it as mouthy as me, cuz I was a young spit fire at the time and told them they shouldnt do that being that close to the jumping off point). But you know what eventually those people quit cussing and using the Lords name in vain around me. Yet still talked to me.

Dont be afraid of who you are and dont be afraid of who the Lord is. Prophets spoke out against sin, John the baptist, lol, went right up to Herod and Herodious and said REPENT! And told them exactly why in front of God and everyone! LOL. Today we might call that a set of brass ones.

And I am sure the apostles were told to call forth repentance to the world. To warn them and not let them fall into their sins. Why else would the christians have become marytred? Cerainly not for complacency.


It seems for me, I always was getting the people willing to do dumb stuff. Had some pot head actually marker a 666 on his forehead! Oh my I went off on him! They actually seem to find pleasure in my concern for their welfare.

I have calmed down some since then, but still my tongue has a way of being like Elijah on mt Carmel with those false prophets when he was making fun of their god baal, lol.

I would like to think this girl would have gotten some wise instruction about her fabric god, instead of humerous rebuke. But who knows.

I am just saying though, you need to tell them the truth.

I think the world as a whole is good at humourous rebukes because that is their way of dealing with issues that are uncomfortable for them. I would agree I did not take a lot of things sitting down, if you know what I mean. When I was younger I was pretty bold! LOL I've learned to sort of tailor that since then. There is a balance some where about being friendly and speaking up for the truth.
Jan

 

[heron]

I think that the Holy Spirit's intervention was probably as abrupt as her comment...you probably got that nudge to not say anything, in addition to your own cautions...that mix sometimes throws me.

Jesus hung out with all sorts of people. You need to trust your own limits... there might be some people you don't want to befriend because they'd push you to uncomfortable limits. I don't think you're as socially weak in their eyes as you think you are...you just guard yourself and avoid impractical complications.

The other thing--you were at work, so you had limits inside you on how long you should talk before it's considered ineptness and squandering time.

You're being yourself, which might be more reserved than they are. They will accept that as part of who you are. As they get to know you, they will probably fondly tease you about being reserved..no big deal.

ooohh...do graven images count if they were used for printing?


Treasurer, lol, I know someone like you ---many hilarious stories ...

 

[wonderwaleye]

I think the world as a whole is good at humourous rebukes because that is their way of dealing with issues that are uncomfortable for them. I would agree I did not take a lot of things sitting down, if you know what I mean. When I was younger I was pretty bold! LOL I've learned to sort of tailor that since then. There is a balance some where about being friendly and speaking up for the truth.
Jan

Dear Janny108


I'm sure your familiar with the Bible verse about " SALT "

I shall say no more.




JUST REMEMBER:




XEven though you can't see Him, GOD is there!O
( click on the X and drag to the O ) ( then feel who is around you ) steven

 

[janny108]

Hey Steven;
Is it about being salt and light?
Hey I like your x and o thingy.
Jan

 

[MAC34]

I wish I could give you some good advice, but I'm in a similar situation in my job. The only conversations I have are work related. I can't join in there regular conversations, they usually involve colorful jokes, or talking about some some womans body part and showing each other pictures that are not appropriate to view.
The only comfort I can give is to say that your not alone, and pray th God guides us through this.
...If I think of anything else I will let you know...

 

[AngelDove1]

I wish I could give you some good advice, but I'm in a similar situation in my job. The only conversations I have are work related. I can't join in there regular conversations, they usually involve colorful jokes, or talking about some some womans body part and showing each other pictures that are not appropriate to view.
The only comfort I can give is to say that your not alone, and pray th God guides us through this.
...If I think of anything else I will let you know...

Welp I've never been very good in the social department, lets start with that.

I guess I just am not sure how to interact. See at work I mean I want to be friendly and such, but there are lines that we draw that non-christians couldn't understand, but yet we don't want to live in a bubble and seperate ourselves.

I guess in a way I have been kind of seperating myself, because I don't know how to interact without it going somewhere I don't want it to (for instance getting chummy, then they wanting to take it further and invite me to their house, but I don't want it to go that far).

I'd rather not interact in a way for now rather than interact and go too far. Is this making any sense? Does anyone else have these dilemmas?

Hi Galadriel & MAC34,
I worked in a hair salon with a bunch od nonchristians.yes I know what your going through.
You don't have to get chummy with them,but be an example of God's glory.

I'd walk away when they joked worldly.
But yet had good down to earth conversations w/them.

I alway had my bible and headset with me.
I felt like an outsider,but I knew Jesus was with me.My comforter.When ever they had
an issue in thier life,the'd come to me for input.

Its hard but it can be done.With God controling the whole situation.
When I walked into those work doors...I'd ask Jesus to not lwt anythng happen that
He and I can't handle.

Scriputures that will hopefully help you stay focused.

Prov 4:14 NIV
"Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of evil"

1 Corn 5:11 NIV
"I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother,who is
sexually immoral,or covetous,or an idolater,or a reviler,
or drunkard,or an extortioner,-not even to eat with such a person"

PS 1:1 NIV
"Blessed is a man who walks not in the counsel
of the ungodly,nor stands in the path of a sinner,nor sits in the set of the scornful"

Praying for you

 

[millerrod]

many different views, Christ says to Love our neighbor, thats how we are to treat then with Love, how we are to treat them is found in 1Cor13:4-7 these 12 manners--characteristics--fruits are our outline for how to treat ALL people, there is no differing of opinion found when Love is defined in the Bible, one spot in the Bible and one spot only doesnt leave room for error or twist of interpertation does it.

 

[Galadriel]

Wow thanks for all the replies.
Its good to know I'm not the only one with these issues.

When she made her "fabric god" comment, she was joking, and I didn't say anything because quite frankly I didn't know what to say, and this isn't a bad option if you don't.

The thing is the workplace is tricky, because certain topics such as religion are ones to tread carefully around. The thing is most everyone has heard of Jesus, they know all about it. I guess the thing to do is just try and act in a Godly manner around her (meaning don't take the joking too far, ect.) and yea. I don't want to get too involved though just because I know I'm not strong in these relationship areas (history of letting people walk on me), and I don't want to get sucked in and start acting like her (bad company can all too easily corrupt good character).

ETA (stupid computer ate my post!!! Must kill computer!!)

The thing is that it is quite pointless to try and shove Jesus down her throat. I'm sure that would just re-enforce her negative views of Christians and Christianity and how she doesn't want to be one. There is a time to talk about Jesus (when the person acts INTERESTED), and there is a time to shush up because it would only negatively re-enforce those ideas to her, and thus do even more damage. So, the thing to do just seems to be to act Godly, and if she acts interested talk about it, or make comments here or there, and not let myself get sucked into her way of thinking/acting.

 

[MAC34]

Thanks for the verses AngelDove1. I put them up at my desk.

 

[Uglybugg]

The only advice I have is to a be a good example of a Christian. Let your light shine for all to see and don't get involved in anything (actions, conversations, etc) that doesn't glorify God. Just keep letting that light shine and people will want to know why you're so happy and when that happens you've got your foot in the door to start witnessing.

I agree that making a big fuss over it may come back and bite you and your reputation in the long run (I've seen it many, many times). If something deeply offends you, find a way to say that it offends you and ask the person to refrain from doing it (I had to ask 2 guys at work here yesterday to cut the swearing and talking about womens' body parts in the office) but I wouldn't start waving my Bible around and condemning others for blasphemy.

Rise above it, don't get sucked into it, pray for strength, guidance, and that God will put the right words into your mouth.

 

[AngelDove1]

Thanks for the verses AngelDove1. I put them up at my desk.

Your vary welcomed....
God put someone there for me .
So I pass it on.
Holy Spirit working...