I am in need of help.
I have recently been in the company of a man who noticed me praying before I had my lunch. He asked me if I was a practising Christian, to which I answered yes. He asked me what it was that I believed, and I said that I believe that God is the Creator of the Universe and all living and unliving things. I said that I believed in Jesus, His only Son who became Man to die for all our sins.
This person asked me if I was serious about all the stuff I've just said, looking at me with almost disbelieve and an air of superiority. I simply said yes, but felt awful for not having a sentence or words or SOMETHING profound to say to make more of an impact in favour of my faith.
He continued by blaspheming and said that I certainly didn't think that my faith was the 'Right one' while other faiths like Muslims and Buddism claim the same. I again was at a loss for a BIG and BOLD statement that could just PROVE God's existence there and then...I could just say 'Yes, I do believe my faith in God is the only Faith that really matters and will get me into Heaven'
He scoffed at all of this, and I felt weak and utterly useless in defending my faith.
Through the week that we spent together on a course, he continued to use God's name in vain, and when I said that he really offended me by his behaviour, he just said he was sorry and continued.
I started avoiding him and his presence.
I feel that I have failed.There was an opportunity to spread the Word, but this man was by his own admission, an agnostic.
All the time in his company I felt that I wasn't saying the right things and that I'm letting an opportunity slip through my fingers. I felt revulsion at his words and what he stood for - AND REALISED THAT I'M JUDGING HIM. But I could not help myself - and I still don't know how to change my mindset. I am meeting with him in a weeks' time, and there is the possibility of our having to work together in future again. Do I refuse to work with him? Do I insist that he doesn't use God's name in vain in my presence? Do I insist that he respects my right to my Believe in God and don't harrass me, like I respect his choice and don't try to push the Gospel down his throat?
How do I behave so that I don't seem childish and create even more resistance in him to God?
He is a consultant that we use for business purposes, and I feel that I can certainly 'pull rank' on him ; I could say to him that if he wanted our business he must 'play by my rules'....But that would be silly and there is absolutely no love for my neighbour in that kind of hostile words.
I keep asking myself 'What Would Jesus Do' - and I know he would have been gently and loving and forgiving until the time was right to speak to the mans' soul......But what do I do in the meantime while he goes on ranting and raving against God? He is a very influential man and certainly very intelligent(whatever that might be in this case!), and I feel that I might 'lose against him'.....
I also know that this is not my fight. I know that God will use me when the time is right. My problem is with 'what do I do until then'?

I'm sorry, reading through the message again, it seems like I'm rambling on and I risk sounding incoherent and foolish....But that's why I ask for help. I've thought this over and over AND OVER again - and I end up feeling angry every time; ............

I want to type more words into this message frame, but I am only going to end up repeating what I've said and then I'll really look like a rambling old fool

JustMe,

I have an idea that I do admit is my opinion and how I would personally handle the situation. Continue to pray to God on how He would have you handle this person.


1. I think your right about not trying to force Him to not harass you at this time. You may be able to and there are times to lay down the law, but I believe that in doing so, it might be exactly what he wants in pushing your buttons. This will give him further ammunition in the future to dislike Christians and not listen to what they have to say. You have already asked him to not use the Lord's name in vain. He knows where you stand. I would try something like this first.


2. From what you wrote it sounds like you have been on the defense in your conversations with this person from the begging. It IS important to be able to defend our faith, but in order to properly defend, we must sometime play offense. Now I don’t mean to find ways to put him down in what he believes in a rude way. I simply mean that YOU start asking the questions. Ask him in a very genuine way, why he believes the way he does. Try to get him to talk and open his soul up so that you might find weaknesses in his argument. Try to get him to tell you what he knows about the Bible and other religions that make him think that our God is not the only God. More than likely by him trying to answer your questions you can either lead him down a path of realizing his vulnerabilities or gather information from him to answer his originally questions about why YOU believe the way you do. He has to defend his faith as well; he apparently has faith that the God of the Bible is not who He says he is.

Father we lift up Justme to you today and ask that you give him the wisdom and peace to minister to this person. God my advice is nothing compared to Your Spirit. We also ask that you soften this person’s heart so that Justme will be able to be used as a tool to minister in this situation. We love You Lord and thank You for everything. Amen

Dear JustMe, I agree with Shawn. There is a reason that your Associate believes as he does. Asking questions will help you gain understanding and will enable you to begin to befriend him. The fact that someone believes very differently from us and even attacks our faith is actually good for us. While we don't want to try to defend ourselves to them, we do want to use the opportunity to help ourselves clarify what we believe and why. I would be honest with him on this point. I would say: "You know, your questions have made me search deep within myself for solid answers as to what and why I believe. I know I do believe, and some of it is difficult to explain: It's a knowing that comes from having experienced salvation. But, some of it is factually based, and I am actually taking your questions and researching them to help myself gain greater understanding and certainty. So, I want to thank you and to tell you that as you have other questions or thoughts, I would appreciate your sharing them with me."

I have found we don't have to be threatened by intimidating people (although I have been in the past before the Lord gave me understanding and peace about how to respond). There is a Scripture that says that we are the smell of death to an unbeliever. They actually sense their own condition by being in the presence of the Holy Spirit of Christ and it makes them terribly uncomfortable. When we get a glimpse of this, we can begin to look upon them with compassion. Their responses are out of fear and discomfort; like an animal caught in a trap.

Responding in love and gentleness is far easier when we realize the sense of distress the person is feeling. Anger, aggression, bitterness, vindictivenes is often the response to being "hemmed in". You haven't done anything to cause this feeling; but, in the Spirit realm, there is a very real war going on: his spiritual condition is meeting the Son of the Living God.

The opportunity here is great for his salvation through your ministering the Truth of the love of Jesus to him; and, for you to meet Christ in a new way. My prayer for you is this:

Father God, lover of all mankind. Annoint JustMe with Your precious Holy Spirit right now, to be able to see and to "feel" deeply this man's spiritual and emotional condition. Allow Your peace and Your love and compassion to flow through JustMe to this precious, lost soul so that he is able to begin to soften and to see You as You really are. Bless JustMe for loving You and for being willing to seek counsel and prayer support in behalf of one for whom You died. We love You and we look forward to seeing You move in this situation in a mighty way! In Christ's Holy Name we pray! Trustworthy is our God!

Dear Sister in Christ,
First I have to say thank you for actually writing this down because I know many times others as well as myself have or is feeling the same way you are.

To answer your question, "What do I do in the meantime?". You put the armor of God on. Remember that you are not only a soldier in God's Army but you are his child. And as any parent, God will not allow no weapon to form against you prosper. It's his word. His promise. You have the authority. The devil will use people as well as things (trials and tribulations) to test your faith. But God is forever wonderful and faithful. Have faith and hold on.

Sometimes in the midst of trouble, you should excuse yourself and pray for him. Pray for his deliverance or and fo him to seek God. It seems that this man is crying out for salvation, but is to afraid to act on it. "He who is not with Me is against Me,...." Matt 12:30

"But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be jusitfied.." Matt 12:36-37

I say to you, read the word, God's word will give you the answers you are looking for all the time. Pray on it and ask god for understanding and he will provide.

Have a blessed prosperous day.
God loves you and so do I.

NB

Praise The Lord, JustMe!

The best two things you can do is:

1) Go to God in prayer. Before you meet this person again, have a heartfelt talk with the Lord and tell Him how you feel about what happened. He already knows, but it further shows our trust and belief in Him when we confide our feelings to Him. Ask Him to help you to deal with the situation the way that He would want you to.

2) Study his word. 2 Tim 2:15 tells us to study to show ourselves approved unto God. Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us to put on the whole armour of God. In this verse, the Word of God is described as the Sword of the Spirit because it is the weapon we fight with when we do Spiritual battle.

Actually, you were already being used by the Lord in this situation. You told this person what you believe and why you believe it. I think the reason you felt so defenseless is because you weren't armed with the Word. But don't feel bad. I don't think the Lord wants us to be arguing anyway. I think arguing only stands to cause confusion which can make people veer off of God's path.

Know this: this person does not have a Heaven or hell for you to go to. You don't have to prove anything to him. The fact that you were praying and asking God's blessings over your meal was enough to plant a seed, and if you look at it, you actually won this battle because you did not deny the Lord just because someone else didn't approve of your relationship with Him. You stood your ground, and that's a good thing. Sometimes standing our ground in silence, or with few words, can be just as good as or even better than saying many things.

Go back and read the story of Joshua when he led the Israelites into battle in the promised land. The Lord told them to march in silence around the city of Jericho and shout at the end a loud war cry. To me, this is what you were doing, only when you did speak, you spoke the name of the Lord and you proclaimed your belief in Him without shame. What could you have done better than that?

That's what you should continue to do: keep on proclaiming the name of the Lord. Tell people how good He has been to you and how He has worked in your life, and arm yourself with the Word on top of it. Keep on letting them know that Jesus is the way for you, and never be ashamed.

Jesus said in John 10:27-28
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand..

Also know that while you were in the midst of this situation, God was in control even then. Even once you arm yourself with the Word, you don't have to argue with anyone. The Lord will always show you what to do. Just keep on praising Him and loving Him, and rest on the fact that He is always there.

Many blessings to you in Jesus' Mighty Name!

Just for Me,

I agree the foremost things you can do to be prepared in this kind of situation is to pray and have studied the Word of God, so that it is in your heart, ready to make a defense for what you believe.

It seems to me this man is trying to intimidate you. And the best thing is to show him that you will not be intimidated. Pray that God will give you the courage you may lack, and that God will give you the best response. Even the best response will not pierce a heart of stone if it is not ready, so just know that you have done your best.

What to me shows this man is just trying to throw you off guard, is his own lack of understanding of other religions. They are not the same as ours! Our God is the only Creator, the only One who intervenes in our personal lives, and the only One who offers redemption by paying such a high price – Himself! There really is no comparison.

He may be watching and waiting for you to take a firm stand – showing that you will not tolerate His behavior, or he may really be that opposed to the God of heaven. If he is, I don’t think working together will be very pleasant until you come to some kind of truce with guidelines as to what will be tolerated. If this can be done in a civil way, you will have shown your witness and character.

It seems to me this man is one who may want to control, and there is an underlying anger or spiritual problem. He is not just in opposition to you, but to a righteous God. Your best response is not to respond in kind. What you might say to him is that you see him as influential, intelligent, etc., and though he may not believe in your God, you would like to pray for him, not with an air of superiority, but one of humility. He probably does not see his own weaknesses or may not be willing to admit them. We all have problems and this gesture may soften his heart.

Continue to pray and seek God’s counsel. He says, when possible, to live in peace with all men. There will be times when this is not possible without any failure upon our part.

May God bless you,

Chelki

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chelki,

All the replies are great. I would add that you might want to study all the basic salvation scriptures so when the time comes you will remember them easier. The book of John's gospel and Romans 10 are good places to memorize scriptures.

God just wants you to tell what He has done for you and what you know about His plan for us. You are not responsible for that man's response, that's God's part. You've planted the seed. Now intercede in prayer for him and trust that God will help you have the right things to say.

The man cannot come to the Father unless the Father draws him. It is the Holy Spirit's work in his heart that will do any convincing.

You might suggest to him that " the heavens and the earth declare the glory of God." About the cursing God's name, ask him why he curses someone he doesn't even believe in? Why does he not curse Mohamad or buddah?

Dear Everybody who took time to write in with words of wisdom and advice : Thank You. Whilst reading all your letters, I felt myself go goosebumps as I either identified with situations, realised that I have so much proof of God's presence in my life, or just felt The Small Voice urging me to study His Word more....Thank You, for reminding me of beautiful victorious situations in the Bible where God proved his Almight. And yes, I DO believe in One Only God who created ME and ALL around me - who helped me overcome more sins than most people have in their lives, and who lovingly accepted me when I was baptised. You are all so right : God is behind me. Whom is there to fear but HE? And yes - the fight is not mine - I should have peace and know that I'm being used as an instrument for Him. I thank God for your words - may God Bless you for your encouragement and ministry

May God continue to bless you, too!

Just Me

It's amazing to see the love of Christ through all of you who seek, pray and draw closer and closer to Him.

I seek and pray that the Lord continues to minister to your heart. May his Word help you grow to know every response for every question asked. Remember we are here on earth to be motivated by the truth and the good news. The Lord wants us to walk by faith and by love without fear or worry. While you study the Word and continue to walk with the Lord he prepares you for all who question. May the Holy Spirit continue to show you and teach you as you are motivated by Christ's redeeming love.

God will lead you as you trust in his Word.

The Bible Says:
12Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16.

May the Lord give you calmness and peace.May you continue to let the light of God shine through you.

God's Love never fails!