Q: Reaching a False Convert at work

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. 

Entitled: "A Day with Youth", or, "Any good tract will do"

Friday, April 18. 2008

I love daylight saving time. The sun is up longer and I get to go out and talk to people about the Lord, whom wouldn’t be out and about if the sun was already setting. The young people are still out and it seemed I ran into them more than adults, though there were a few there; including an African woman with her children who said she was saved. And some older Jewish or Catholic people on a bench who received tracts from me.

There were people lined up by the hundreds to see a new movie, and I walked down the line handing out two different ones that I had from FellowshipTractLeague. While these fail in comparison to the artwork that pops from the Living Waters tracts, they are still useful in reaching people with the word of God. Whenever people asked me what they were, I would say “They are gospel tracts about Jesus”. Some took them and some did not, (probably thinking it was cult materials), and only a couple of them gave it back. I gave out probably a hundred or so tracts in the line. I would say “Ladies, here’s something to read while you are in line. And I’ll give you [a friend standing with them] a different one.” That seemed to help get them into people’s hands.

I finished with that and then walked down the sidewalk to the furthest light handing out tracts. Again, many people reject them because they think it is material coming from a cult, or religious people. When I got to the light I ran into three 21 year olds, who were gathered around a bench. We had a conversation based on the question on the front of the tract “Are you a good person?” We went through the gospel and spoke about a few good questions. I reiterated that they need to do two things – Repent and Trust in Jesus work on the cross. I said this a few times towards the end and encouraged them to not only think about this and read the tract, but also to do it, since we are not guaranteed another day. These guys are the typical young men in the downward spiraling current generation. Please pray that they will see their sins as God does and that they need to get right with Him - and do it now.

Ran into three small pre teen boys who were on little push scooters, as I stood next to the rose lady. I asked if he had got one of the tracts and he said no. He asked what it was about. I told him and we started a conversation into discussing about the after life. He said he was afraid of Hell and doesn’t want to go there. The one boy was very interested in what I was saying,. I was able to get some important thoughts into the kid to consider in all seriousness. He asked some good questions - bright for such a young kid. His friends were going towards an alley on their scooters (cause they couldn’t afford a rose from the lady selling them) and the other friend lost interest in what I was saying. However about a minute after the other kids had left, this kid was still there, but was starting to look like he should take off and stay with his friends. At one point during the conversation the tract I gave him had fell to the ground. He picked it up quickly and held onto it. After the friends were gone, I wrapped up what I was saying and told him the information in the tract will tell him how to get right with God and how he can get into heaven. And then told him to go catch up to his friends. *I didn’t want him to be in trouble for not sticking with his friends, and didn’t want them to pick on or tease him for talking about religious things. I believe he will read the tract. Please pray for him.


I then saw, near where the line was for the movie, three other guys (they looked very similar to the ones I just spoke to). As I got closer I realized these guys were younger and were not the same people. LOL. So I talked to them as I offered them tracts. One of the guys said He KNOWS he is a good person. That was a great entrance (to the gospel) if I ever saw one! We had a good conversation about the fact that we are not good, and that we need Jesus. He had a few questions but because the Law always does its work, there were no objections to what was being said. However, he thought he was a good person and I took him down the road to show him again that he wasn’t. When we ended the conversation I told him to not only consider these things and repent and trust in Christ, but also encouraged him to see that he isn’t good and that is why he needs Jesus. I questioned him and said “You are what?” and he seemed perplexed for a minute and then I said (to put it in his head as reality) “Your not a good person, you’re a bad person just like the rest of us.” And he had the look of ‘oh yeah, that’s true’ on his face as we parted. Please pray for him too.

I talked to a group of kids who were coming from around an alley way (in a different area than the last kids I spoke to) that leads through the open mall area. I took a leap of faith and handed one a gospel tract. The others were not really interested at the time. He stopped to ask me about it, and the other kids stopped and stayed to listen. While I did not think they would be open to talk to me, they were. This was probably one of my best conversations with young people about spiritual things. We talked about things from Creation and creator, Heaven and Hell, what Hell is really like, The universe and any possibility of life on other planets, aliens and the scene from the movie The Last Mimzy where the people unzipped themselves from alien looking outfits designed to help them breath and live on a toxic planet, how the scientists are traveling the universe. How there are 3 heavens and how interesting it would be if the reached that third one in the outerspace area and “boing” hit the wall where God is behind. A discussion about were Homosexuals that way by choice, what about scientology (the religion of those who live lives of make believe in Hollywood). We also talked about how we cant earn our way to heaven by works or making up for bad things, talks of history and archeology matching what Scripture already said, Nostradamus & false prophets, scripture and fulfilled prophecy, God’s word preserved through the ages as History, The number of manuscripts (42,000 and pieces) compared to the next best preserved piece of literature in antiquity (ancient history) which is the Illiad with a mere 600 copies. As well as a lot of other things. *Not all of this in the exact order as mentioned, but each question seemed to lead them to the next questions until they seemed to have all their questions answered.

The older boy didn’t seem too interested at first and kind of silently flippant about the conversation, but they were all pulled into the conversation (by themselves) a couple of times, and each of them had some questions that left them with thought provoking answers from God’s perspective scripturally. They asked about whether I believe Jesus is really coming back some day. I started to explain about how it will happen and how it could be any time. Some believers think in the next 50-80 years. One of them did not really know anything about the rapture and I said “really? Are you pulling my leg or do you really not know?” he said he honestly didn’t know. “I said ok, well I don’t want to explain something in a dumbed down way as if you don’t know something. So that is why I asked.” And he appreciated that I said that and felt that way. I probably gained some respect from him at that moment, but believe I had it before then anyway. It just solidified his feelings towards me at that moment.

We talked about one of the most misunderstood truth’s about judgment day – that not all people will stand before God. “Christians will not be judged, because our sins were already judged and dealt with when Jesus die don the Cross. Only those who die without Jesus (repenting and placing their faith in Jesus alone) will be the ones who stand before God on Judgment Day. So if you end up there, you know where you are “going” after you stand before Him”. They also got to hear the Law and Grace and saw their need for Christ. I encouraged them that if they all made that decision to get right with God they could all read the Bible together and help each other be the people God wants them to be. And its not like they will be religious crazy people if they become Christians, they will simply be people who don’t need to cuss, or commit the sins God says is wrong. They can live right by God because He will empower them to do what is right, by the Holy Spirit. I told them the importance of getting right today, before they go to bed, and that just as kids get killed in school shootings, by drunk drivers, or any other tragic and unexpected way, so too could each of them, as we are not guaranteed a long life on earth. So we ended the conversation and we all shook hands. One of the guys said that he “learned more today than he has in a whole year of high school.” Hopefully they all took the conversation to heart, and get right with God. I noticed that even the one older kid who didn’t really believe in God, seemed to see at the end of the conversation that God is real and he is the one in Scripture, based on the evidence in truth that I shared. And I know the gospel which has the power in itself to convict people and convert them to faith in Christ will keep this conversation in them (even as a seed) that is able to produce salvation if they repent and trust in Christ. Please pray that they do, and will grow in solid biblical faith and holiness.


I then went back through the main area and started handing out tracts. Some older high school girls were coming towards me in goth / rock and roll style clothes, and a guy friend (much older than they) was with them. He had tattoos everywhere visible. While the girls took the tract, the guy gave it back, and said he cant take it because of his belief’s. I started to inquire about that, and then he saw some security police coming towards him as he was showing me his neck and ear area (that had a tattoo what looked like a version of God or Jesus) as he proclaimed “but I do believe in God”. I was about to move into the conversation on that segue when the guards came up to him to escort him about 3 more feet away, off the property. I did not realize I was holding him up from leaving. Oops! It was by their direction he was to leave. Apparently they were going to have him arrested for smoking marijuana and causing problems down near the theater. The dark clothed girls were there slightly stunned standing in place. I asked what happened and they told me. I said in a concerned and honest way (as I gave them another tract) “well if he goes to jail he will certainly want to have this. Please give it to him.” And they emphatically said they would. I am sure they were concerned about him, but so goes our current generation of young people. No guidance, discipline, and good teachings in school or at home and laxed or changed laws lead them to be the worst rebellious generation in our nations history.

I walked away towards a small pack of friends gathered and talking, between the area I was tracting earlier and an ice cream shop. A 12 year old girl was hanging out with these who were a little older than she was. At first I thought she was a boy because of her haircut and undeveloped body. I approached the group and offered them tracts, and told them what it was about. I asked if any of them thought they were good. She did. And so began our conversation.

This young girl listened intently as I shared spiritual things with her, discussing the Law and how God sees her. I did not have any objections but she sure was taking it all in. She of all her friends, in particular, seemed quite moved by the message, and stood there firmly taking in what I was saying. And when the friends were walking away about, 4 minutes later, to go associate with some other friends (to my surprise, it happened to be the older gothic girls who were with the older boy who got into trouble a while back). She stood there wanting to continue hearing how she is not good according to the Law and that she would stand before God. She looked back to see how far her friends were from her, as they started calling her. I told her "go catch up with your friends, but read that tract to learn what else I wanted to tell you." Please pray for her as well as everyone else I spoke to, (and tracted!), tonight.

And remember, even if you don’t have the best looking gospel tracts, they can spark great conversations – just look at the ones I had tonight for proof of that. The Spirit will work with the Word of Truth to convict and convert. And the tracts can stay with them longer than we can. They serve as reminders, as do our conversations and those seeds can sprout into salvation of souls.

Have you shared a gospel tract with someone today?

*If you do not have some, you can get free ones at www.FellowshipTractLeague.org or low cost ones of YourMomentofTruth (these are popular and great tracts that will not only spark great conversations in a one on one situation, but they offer a solid and complete gospel message even if they are left holding a cash tip for a waitress, or simply handed out). Or nicely designed ones at LivingWaters

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Strange Encounter

I got hit up at a store in Down Town LA a few months ago to sign a Marriage Protection Amendment petition. How did I end up there you ask? Yes, yes, for those who know me...of course it was when I got lost and needed directions to the freeway (hehehe). The guy outside the store asked me to sign it. Well shortly after that saw another guy doing that in the area I freqent for the gospel. But since I already signed... I didnt sign twice. It wouldnt count.

However, it happened to be the night I was with an evangelism buddy and it was our "evangelism night" (Friday evenings). We talked to the guy and found out he isnt religious but he is doing the petition along with other ones that also lean towards Faith/Values voter concerns.

They guy thought he knew my evangelism buddy and he kept guessing where he might know him from. Finally we both kind of chuckled at the guy because we know he had to have seen us both here in this very location before. That is where he saw us. We hand out tracts and talk to people, lol. So, we started talking to him. During the conversation something sounded "off" about what he believed about life and creation, (we found out he had a very wacky view of life and stuff we have never encountered this kind before). I am still seeking refuting information to help me in the future should I run into someone who thinks like this guy. If you have run into some wacky stuff before just let me know and I'll see if you can assist me with this "special" case.

We did find out that he had some weird view outside of the goofyness that was about God being everything and in everything. We tried all kinds of things in the discussion to reach the guy. We just hope that the information we gave him will melt his hardened heart a little bit and perhaps the Lord's word will become truth to him one day while he is still alive.

Well,after that last conversation of the night, I was able to connect with a group in Australia via the internet. They had ran into people with this one particular thing in common. They told me what this is about and how to refute it, and get them to put up a white flag and listen to the Law and their need for the Gospel and Christ Himself. The message is important, but the Spirit is the one who works in the heart of men to convict and convert them. So, I just pray that our conversation with this older gentleman will stick in his mind and be a seed that will assist others in reaching him with the gospel and his need of Christ.
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Witnessing Encounter

I met with a buddy today to share the gospel in town. When he got there we prayed and took off. Our time was limited because we both had to get home.

After chatting for a few minutes and then beginning in prayer, we spotted some fish nearby. I had a great conversation with two younger girls; 14 and 16. They were sitting down and so when I approached them and handed them a MDB I asked if they have a Christian background. They said “no, a catholic background”; (I am surprised they knew there is a difference). I asked if they were familiar with the 10 commandments. They said yes. I asked if they could name any of them. They named about 4. I asked if they thought they were good people. They said yes. I asked if they have ever told a lie (yes), stolen (yes – after realizing cheating on a test was stealing), blasphemed (yes); I told them the seriousness of that and what God says in that commandment about it.

I also asked if they thought sexually about another person (knowing they are in the crazy modern world i said "with a boy or a girl"), and then they learned that lust is part of the adultery commandment. I also told them what the original word “Pornania” means (all kinds of sexual perversion: sexual thoughts, magazines, pictures, sex before marriage, homosexuality, affair after marriage, etc) . They learned what Jesus said about it too. They asked about homosexuality and why it was wrong. I told them it was wrong because God said so. God created us to be united as a man and a woman only. But because of our sinful natures we want to do what is against God or in rebellion to him and what is right. We want to do those things and gravitate towards them.

I then asked if they have ever hated someone. They said no, been upset but not hate. I asked even when they were younger and had a fit cause they didn’t get their way, or yelled at their parents that they hated them or any other kind of situation in life, but they couldn’t recall it. So I told them I would give them the benefit of the doubt on that one, but that they might be guilty of that. I told them that these were only some of the commandments. I asked if they thought they were good people. They said yes. Then one of the girl’s phones ran. I waited for her conversation to be over. It only took a minute. Apparently their parents would be there in a minute to get them. So I tried to fast forward the conversation as best I could.

We got back to the question. They said they were good. I said that they admitted to doing those things, and when they die and stand before God they will be guilty, (their parents were walking towards us at this time), I said (as they stood up, I kindly yet firmly said) “these are serious crimes, and I don’t want you to go to hell because of them. God did something for you so you don’t have to go…. Read the back of that (tract) and you can find out what that is” and I thanked them for their time. And they ran off. My teammate gave them a “are you a good person” in Spanish mini tract too as they were leaving.

We prayed for them and thanked the Lord for the opportunity to reach out to them.