i am trying to show a non believer that i can not really associate with them out of work.... this has always been a tough one for me because i dont know what to tell them... i was going to show him some scriptures.. but they seem to make it sound like i think he is 'EVIL' or like a bad person.. and i dont think that at all.. i just am trying to do the right thing and be a good christian girl.. which is actually what he likes about me.. that i am a good girl! haha do you have any suggestions?
Proverbs 13:20
20 He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.
1 Corinthians 15:33
33 Do not be misled. Bad associations spoil useful habits.
2007-12-05 03:58:43 · 12 answers · asked by Kyrstin 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
thank you for all of your answers i appriciate it.. but i am actually looking for answers from jehovahs wittnesses... hence where it says.. JW'S in the question... read carefully.
2007-12-05 04:14:33 · update #1
Hello sister! Those scriptures sound great to share with him. Be careful though, it sounds like he wants to do more than just associate. Most of the time, different ones just can't understand why we take this stand. Even though I don't personally know you, I must say I am proud of you for standing your ground because in this system it is hard and it sounds like he is trying really hard.... You may not be "interested" in him in that way, but things have a way of happening. And while he may seem like a decent good wordly person, Satan is out there, trying really hard, knowing he has a short period of time left, putting temptations in front of us. So keep praying to Jehovah and hold your ground, you can and will do the right thing. Keep up the good work sis!
2007-12-05 04:13:48 · answer #1 · answered by Learn about the one true God 3 · 8⤊ 2⤋
Kyrstin, I think what you are looking for is another Scripture that is a little less harsh to share with others, which I am not sure if there is one. The Scriptures you quoted are probably the best you can use. What makes your situation more difficult is that this is not just a coworker, but a male coworker. If it were just one of the girls, it would not be that big of a deal to just go do something every once in awhile. Just make sure that it does not become a practice. The problem is that once you do it once, it is easier to do it again. In the case of it being a man, you may take an approach that has nothing to do with the Bible, just simply your own principles. From other responses to another of your questions in the past, you mentioned someone that you were interested in that is your spiritual brother. You could elect to just simply tell this person at work that your are interested in this other person and that you would feel that doing something with another man would make you feel like you were cheating in some respects, even if there is not anything serious going on right now. But one thing to consider is the dangerous position you put yourself in if you do go and do something with this person.
A circuit overseer who is of the annoited gave a public talk at our Kingdom Hall a few years ago and he said something that has stuck with me ever since. He said: 'To love the teacher more than the teaching.' Why is this necessary? Because we can allow our hearts to cloud our minds and our thinking. If we love the teacher, Jesus, and would never do anything to hurt him or our Father, Jehovah, then we will obey the teaching even if we may not understand it at the time. For instance, we may not see any reason why our dress and grooming should be changed. The Bible doesn't really say anything specific about how we should dress. But if we love the teacher more than the teaching, then we will change the way we look. Eventually, we may realize the reason is that we want to make sure that we never look like the world and we want to do anything we can to stay as far away from it as possible. What about if you have a family member who has been disfellowshipped? It may not make sense at the time why you could talk to this person yesterday, but you cannot talk to them today. But if you love the teacher more than the teaching, you will listen anyway. Eventually, we may realize that our family member made a choice to disobey God and has the wrong heart condition about the matter and our not associating with that individual may shake the person up and help them to realize the error of their ways. And of course, there is the situation where we may be interested in a person of the opposite sex and they are not a believer. It may not make any sense to us at the time why we can't go out with this person who may seem to be nicer than our spiritual brothers and sisters. But if we love the teacher more than the teaching, we will still obey and later realize the wisdom of not allowing ourselves to become uneavenly yoked. One of the most important things in many peoples lives is their beliefs and their faith. It would not be wise to yoke yourself with someone who does not share these important traits that are at the core of your heart. As you said yourself: 'he that is walking with wise persons will become wise...' so keep walking with your spiritual brothers and sisters and you will continue to be wise beyond your years.
2007-12-05 12:59:02 · answer #2 · answered by London Hatchet 3 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Hello sister, I just recently had the CO and he told us not to have casual associations with those that are not our brothers and sisters unless we were studying with them. The point he made was that Jesus went to the people of the nations to teach and to cure but he only hung out with his disciples.
The scriptures you sited are good ones...also there is.... What share does light have with dark or Christ with Belial?
When you look at other religions they do pretty much the same....Amish, Baptists, Catholics, Mormons.
Each group associates with those they feel most comfortable.
If you were to associate with your co workers, they would eventually be celebrating a holiday full of pagan practices trying to talk you into participating.....or telling you to take blood to save your life.....to cheat on your taxes...to run a stop sign...to beat the system....
It's best you stay with those that honor God and believe as you do and will help you get life , not take it from you.
2007-12-05 13:24:23 · answer #3 · answered by debbie2243 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
First of all you owe no one any explainations, becareful the fear of man is definately one of satans strongest weapons to stop us from doing what is vital for our salvation!
I am one who can respect and appreciate honesty. I don't like it when people sugar coat, minimize, or beat around the bush...
I think it's a insult to undermine my intellegence, yet I have to realize with the friends they mean well, with anyone else such as non believers I will pick something that is weel know and abvious to me and let them know how God feels about it and that it is important for me to have his approval. many times they get the point and move on.
There was a scripture shared with us this weekend at essembly about speaking with truth. I don't remember it but will search my notes. Most likely it's the opposite sex that will persist. be careful! stick with what God say's on the matter!
2007-12-05 15:32:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Dear Kyrstin:
Be tactful. The Bible advises: “Let your utterance be always with graciousness, seasoned with salt, so as to know how you ought to give an answer to each one.” (Colossians 4:6.) Be careful not to show disrespect for others. Instead, tactfully explain your position.
Perhaps in time, those who abandoned you because of your beliefs will look into what the Bible teaches and become worshipers of Jehovah.
Gal. 6:10: “As long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.” (So, true Christians do not hold back from doing good to their fellowmen. They imitate God, who makes the sun shine upon both wicked people and good.—Matthew 5:43-48.)
Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. . . . Let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.”
2007-12-05 13:02:30 · answer #5 · answered by Mr. Cal 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Posting a question like yours in an open forum is not a good idea because you are going to get off-the-wall answers like Edge's. He says: "Jesus hung out with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners of every stripe." Jesus did not socialize with such people. He was in their presence to teach them the ways of God, not to "hang out with them."
Just remember the first part of 1 Cor. 15:33: "Do not be misled."
2007-12-05 15:17:30 · answer #6 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 7⤊ 1⤋
You do realize that Both of these scriptural references can work both ways don't you.
People who want to limit your exposure to new ideas do this for a reason.
Take proverbs for example. Say the person who wants to associate with you outside of work is very wise and will assist you in your spiritual growth. What does this make the people who tell you that you should not be associating with them?
Or Corinthians. I see meeting new people as a good way to learn valuable things. I see it as a useful Habit. What does this say about the relationships you have with people who tell you not to associate with non believers. Are the people who tell you this misleading you, are these the bad associations that Corinthians is trying to warn you about?
Beware of people how try to limit your contact with others.
Love and blessings Don
2007-12-05 12:14:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 5⤋
Do you believe he is stupid or bad? Because that is what these extracts imply. I know many JW's who have no problem associatiing with others. They claim that it is not the other person or their religion that matters, it is their own ability to remain true to their faith.
Edge put it perfectly. Since when do the righteous need saving/preaching/help? They can be holy all by themselves.
Personally I'm agnostic, and have never understood how diverse associations corrupt. I've always found them enriching and a good learning experience. But each to their own I guess.....
2007-12-05 12:04:28 · answer #8 · answered by Rafael 4 · 6⤊ 7⤋
Do you want to follow the example of Jesus? If so then you can associate with them. Jesus hung out with tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners of every stripe. It is not the healthy who need a physician but the sick. If we totally separate ourselves from the lost then who will minister to them? Now I am not saying you should indulge in sinful activities with them but there is absolutely nothing wrong with interacting with the lost. Going to dinner with them, a movie, a backyard barbecue. Jesus would have attended any of these things with a sinner. Follow His example.
EDIT: I know you asked for JW opinions only. However this is an open forum and as such we can all answer.
2007-12-05 12:04:17 · answer #9 · answered by Bible warrior 5 · 8⤊ 9⤋
Well sounds like he wants to do more than associate.
I'll email you separately.
2007-12-05 12:03:08 · answer #10 · answered by Q&A Queen 7 · 5⤊ 3⤋