How to Share Your Faith at WorkSample

When competence and character combine, they create a trust that lends credibility to our words. When joined by godly concern for others, they give our witness power.—When people see our genuine care, they see Jesus alive in us.

Here are three ways to show your concern at work:

1. Show concern with your words. What we say and how we say it speaks volumes about who we are and how much we care. The apostle Paul allows little wiggle room when it comes to thoughtless words.

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Consider the wisdom about words from Proverbs:

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones. (Proverbs 25:15)

And even when we must deliver rebuke, we are to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

2. Show concern by listening. Our willingness to listen and receive input from others sends a powerful message. It says, “I care what you think; you have something valuable to contribute.” We invite trust and cooperation when we ask questions and listen with focused attention and a humble spirit.

Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)

We listen because the person speaking is made in the image of God and deserves our respect.

3. Show concern through your actions. How we respond to others during stress or success reveals whether we care more about them or ourselves. Jesus taught his disciples that leadership isn’t about doing big things. It’s about being a servant. (Mark 10:42-45) Small acts of kindness can light up a dark workplace. (Philippians 2:14-15)

Given many people’s negative perception of Christians, Christianity doesn’t look like a faith most people can relate to, much less benefit from—unless we show them differently by our competence, character, and concern. However, developing relationships with the people we work with should never be a strategy to manipulate them into a conversation about faith. Instead, it should be a way to grow in love genuinely.

Prayer

Ask God to give you sincere love for your co-workers. Ask for the opportunity, inclination, and strength to demonstrate care through your words, listening, and actions.