How can I share my faith in the workplace? Why should I talk about my faith at work?
The first thing to remember when it comes to sharing our faith, in the workplace or anywhere else, is that believers are supposed to be always prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us because of Christ, and to do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). When a coworker asks us a question about our faith, we should speak the truth, without reservation—out of love for our coworkers and out of love for Christ and the truth. At the same time, it is important to be aware of the fact that specific unspoken rules apply to workplace relationships. There are ways to make conversations about the Lord more effective and positive when they do take place at work.
When conversations about our faith are unsolicited or unwanted, they can come across as harassment. This is because when a person is at work, he or she is not always able to walk away from an uncomfortable situation. A coworker may not want to hear the details of a Christian's faith or experience with God, but they might feel obligated to listen anyway, out of politeness or a desire to be liked in the workplace. A good rule of thumb when talking to coworkers about your faith is to wait for them to ask questions, and then respond succinctly and politely, and then wait for them to continue the conversation.
It's also good to remember our duty as employees to work hard and to fulfill our commitment to our employer. Conversations about faith do not trump this responsibility, and work should not be put aside so that we can witness (1 Thessalonians 5:12-14; Colossians 3:23). If we are perceived to be lazy or uncaring about work, our actions will contradict our witness and we may lose credibility.
So, why should we talk about our faith in the workplace to begin with?
First, we are commanded to speak the truth and preach the gospel so that people can come to know the Lord (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 10:14). We are the light of the world, and we should allow that light to shine, no matter where we are (Matthew 5:14). Secondly, love for our coworkers who are unbelievers should drive us to look for every opportunity to give them a chance to accept God's free gift of salvation. The culture is confusing, and there are many false and mixed messages about the gospel. Satan deceives their minds and distracts their hearts with pleasures so that they cannot understand or do not care about what God offers. It takes focus, patience, love and wisdom to "rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter" (2 Timothy 2:23-26; Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 24:11).
Finally, prayer is an essential element in our witness to coworkers, or to our friends and family. God is the author of salvation—He makes it happen (Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 10:10, 14). We should always remember our dependence on His power in any evangelism situation, and pray for the wisdom, focus, love and patience we need. He has promised to give us wisdom and the Holy Spirit when we ask (Luke 11:10-13; James 1:5).
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