Q: What to do when coworkers that claim they're Christian yet ALL they talk about is worldly stuff ALL DAY?
For example: My coworker talks about how long she's been here and knows more than us. Talks about how much money she has, how successful her kids are, how much she knows, & how her man better buy me everything or he ain't it. Also, how I need to be quiet and be "in line". Plus, goes asking too many personal questions about my life, ect.
She seems kind but she irritating, and I try to he humble and kind but she is rude too and condescending. Talking about ain't no poor people at my church, just people who are somebody, like doctors, lawyers, teachers and those with money.
It irks me when "Christians" act like that. I may be a broke Christian but content and fulfilled by the Lord!
P.S. Where we work, at Head Start, it was hard building up this business when she started there in the 90s, so you would think she would be humble from where she came from. I'm praying I become a vessel for the Lord so she can be humbled.
Pray I have patience with her she is driving me nuts! Pray I witness to her, and truly have the Lord work through me. If not her then for the families we service. Advice?
A: Theres too many false converts, oblivious ones, ones who recieved a false gospel, etc, or ones that are saved & havent grown yet that we encounter. Both at work and in church.
Idk how long ago she believes she became a believer, but the spirit of how she sounds lacks the fruit of the Spirit and love. From what was shared seems prideful and self righteous, and idolizes money... and thats not a mark of a humble Redeemed One. I am glad she seems kinda nice tho., even if shes rude and condescending at times, I would treat her lovingly regardless of how she talks and behaves.
Here are few ideas to engage with her...
If they are a believer and things always going wrong, it can be a sign God is chastising them. There can come a point he brings them home for lack of obedience. Believers should walk in sanctification, grow daily, in the Word and changing to be like Christ... not to be like the rich young ruler.
Treat her as an unsaved one who you can water. But know theres folk inoculated to the Gospel and Christianity cuz they think they "good to go" already. They'll account to God if they die in their sins, you just do your best. God may have planted you at that job both for your sanctification growth, and to reach her and others around both of you. Even if there's no salvation, seeds are sown, and they might get saved before they die. Your witness of your life, speech, engagement etc can be a positive for them on the way to that path.
Let her in your life a little, right now shes likely going to keep doing that and even talk about you anyway, so just caution in what you share. Try to focus or steer many convos to Christianity. Good convos.
Examples
*Verse you read today, that touches on issues you think she has/lacks. Ask if she ever memorizes verses, and if that was one. 😉
*Ask her if she reads the Scriptures regularly. If she gets offended, note you are curious about her reading plan. Like what daily plan or system she uses. If she says she rarely reads it...
*Ask her testimony for when she got saved.
> it might not actually be one.
>share yours. * write it out in advance , and memorize a 3 or 4 min ver. to share.
*Ask her if she has shared the gospel with anyone lately. and either way tell her you "heard a good question recently >if you were dying and had 3 minutes to live tell me how to be saved because you read Matthew 7:21-23: Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he whodoes the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have wenot prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you;depart from me you worker of lawlwssness,... and i dont think my life is right by how I live, and am afraid of going to Hell. How do I get saved??"<
If she doesnt say Repentance and trusting in Jesus work, she doesnt know the Gospel. Tell her you saw a really good gospel presentation - and text it to her right then (needGod.com) and ask for her thoughts about how well they designed and presented it. 😉
If she says repentance and faith, say, "so the ambulance just took the patient away and she is going to recover, how will her life change after being saved? And How different will her life look from the world? *gauge info from that to help you as you over time can help her realize her life isnt walking that way based on what you know.
* Ask her what kind of prayer method does she use.
*Ask what she has prayed about recently about her growth in her sanctification walk, and after she shares or if she bumbles and deflects, share a tiny thing related to you, that you are comfortable sharing. It could be "Recently..." Not necessarily this week or of today. It broadens your convo options on this in the future.
*When she talks about her money and others money she knows, ask how she "uses the money God gave her to be a good steward of for the Kingdom". And note at some point (after? she shares) that you are "thinking of donating a little bit of money you have, to xyz purpose soon. And were curious how she uses the money God gave her for Christ". Have a cause of some sort already in mind such as donating to a church members mission trip, an evangelism event, a ministry that does X, some babies in heaven books* to a pregnancy center, etc.
*When your church has an believers baptism, be joyful about it in a convo with her when you see her on Monday, and note that "testimonies are so powerful. They also act as a living witness to the power of God and the proof of ones salvation by the radical change; no longer like the world, but set apart and transformed.😀". And you could share some verses in the convo.
*When there's offers to hang out over coffee, or if you decide to invite them to join you at a tea or coffee shop (not starbucks), buy their drink & have a convo on a topic you pick that can edify and educate likeish a short break devotional time. Without them really realizing it, or meeting with that simple purpose. No other convo allowed, no chatter or gossip. If they join give a flier or sth so its clear its a short life chat based on Christianity. You could do this on actual break at work or after work before you all head home. Kind of a quick relaxation before the drive. Our Daily Bread could give you ideas For the day, or you could think of life issues in general, or ones they said you heard and put a mental & actual note about. If theyre open it can be a possible light influence.
*When you see a video that would be helpful for/to her, text/msg the link over and tell her you "saw this and thought it was interesting. That it is great such material is avail cuz it helps believers grow in our faith and daily walk with the Lord." Like that. Gently, not making it seem she is being targeted. And if she asks if your pointing at her, have a good response thought up that allows you room to avoid saying yes while leaving the door open to further minister to her.
>> if she sends you some vid links from a heretic/false preacher/cult etc ask her "what the topic is about." As you can get her cliff notes without having to watch it, and think on verses that would be useful to include in a convo if she asks if you watched it. Ofc you can simply say "While many are drawn to him, i find much of what he believes to not align with Scripture, but on the topic, i had just read <verse> and it is insightful for how we should walk in our faith. I am so Glad God gave us Scripture to be a solid guide and the authority on matters for a believers life and faith." That allows you to cautiously move around the bomb of the false preacher, not have to watch the video, and get an idea from justin peters ministry or elsewhere what the key belief issues that wolf has so if they ask you can tell her you went thru some info on him a while back/recently and he denies the essentials of Christianity/preaches a diff gospel", or say something a bit more subtly, and tell her if you find it you'll let her know. >And do so by popping a link over to her. Let her review it or not. [Many cling to celebrity like preachers as idolatry for various reasons, mostly for ear tickling worldly reasons.]
Theres likely other ideas you can come up with besides this list, but if done genuinely and lovingly it will probe and cause her to examine herself to see if she loves Jesus, realizes her life is His, He is to lead it and use it for His purposes and Kingdom. It isnt for her to hide in her grain warehouses & neglect Christ, the lost & the redeemed. And that her behaviors need to change and align to Scripture. Always pray before you engage, and do a bit of prep in advance. It will bless them even if they reject it, cuz God's Word doesn't return void. And loving the reddemed and the enemies of God is what we are called to do. We are humans; image bearers of God, and you were once lost and deceived as they themselves are.
Outreach Resources
Resources for you and ones you can send her subtly.
Some verses you can use
Realigning & Probing verses
Believers celebration verses
Reading plans as ideas, but feel free to use too.
Link to ideas on other Christian giving like how to contribute to or run a fund for furthering the mission of believers on earth.
http://longertweets.blogspot.com/2023/08/ways-to-use-money-for-christ.html
Prayer systems believers use
Video ideas to share
If they ask about FAQ you can search here and here. The 1st one has answers that always 99.9% of the time include the gospel linked to it. So it is preferable but not exhaustive.
Right mindset
Business or personal card idea
This way you can be a blessing to her while gently, lovingly, caringly trying to plant seeds that move her towards examining herself and making changes. Esp if you work with her & dont go to same church, you do not want them hating you and causing problems for you at work. Esp if it turns out theyre a false convert who is self-righteous, and holds hands with Satan right now. But, it also gives those around you an opportunity to hear you being a true witness for Christ by how diff you live than she does, and that can draw the unsaved ones to Christ.
We are "constantly conforming to the image of Christ", and as we grow and mature too, people see that.
PS if you would like Believers Resources for yourself personally, this is a treasure trove That will bless you.
