I had the wonderful blessing of sharing the faith while at work today. I have done this in the past but I distinctly felt like today's witnessing encounter was ordained by God. Granted, they are all ordained but this one was a bit different. Let me try and explain...
One or two days ago I was struck with the curious thought of why unbelievers in the past have often apologized for cussing around me. I sat and contemplated the possible reasons why that might happen. Is it merely a matter of respect? Are they just concerned that a Christian might be overly sensitive to vulgarities or is it something more? Maybe they feel convicted around us. Is it a visceral response to a person whom they perceive spiritually to be a representative of God? I thought it might be a little bit of both. While it had been some months since this last happened I thought I might considered how I should respond to an apology should it ever happen again.
Flip the calendar forward to today. This afternoon I stopped to speak with a coworker about some work related issues and during the course of the conversation he let a 4-letter word fly. Guess what he immediately did next? He apologized.
In a split second I determined that God was in this encounter. God had brought the very scenario that I was immediately involved in into my heart just days before. Realizing that the Holy Spirit had orchestrated this conversation gave me great boldness to witness.
So I immediately went into my line of questioning. It was a very short line as I only needed to ask one.
"Why did you just apologize?"
"Cause some religious people get offended by cussing."
"Funny it really doesn't offend me too much."
"None of it?"
"Well, yes actually. I do not like it when people blaspheme God?"
"What is blaspheming?"
"When you use God's name as a cuss-word. Have you ever done that? Said, 'Jesus Christ' or 'G. D.?'"
"Yeah but not too often. I sometimes say Jesus Christ when I hurt myself."
"Have you ever considered what you are doing when you do that?"
And that was the transitional point in the conversation.
We spoke for about 10 minutes from that point on about the Law and the Gospel. I could truly see the conviction of his sin and the fear of judgement upon him. He became fidgety and he tried to dodge the topic a few times but we were able to keep the conversation on point. It went very well and I am overjoyed that I was afforded the opportunity to share the Gospel with him while at work.
Witnessing on the job is almost as hard as witnessing to a family member.
Please pray for Scott.
3 comments:
Hi Mate. Thank you for sharing this! This is something I have noticed with a couple of my work colleagues too! I believe there is more to it than them simply not wanting to offend us.
John 3:20 “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” Certainly, when the profanity flies, and the unbeliever apologizes and back peddles, he testifies that he has a fear of coming into the light and having his evil heart exposed. In that moment when he is unmasked, his words (being an overflow of the heart) expose him and he feels it.
I think it also shows that he is sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and obviously listening to his conscience!
What a good time to share with him the law and the gospel.
I’ll be praying for Scott!
I told Brett, you said, "Hi." He had a smile on his face when he heard about you. :)
Well done, brother.
More of us should respond this way when we hear blasphemous statements uttered in our presence.
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