Hello Everyone,
I was wondering what the rest of you do to maintain a good example to others, especially those who are not Christians. Do people know you're living differently than the rest of the world, and if not, are there better ways of announcing or demonstrating your beliefs without sounding "preachy"?
As Christians, we are to be the "salt and light of the earth"--but what's your personal advice on how we should go about doing that?
I ask because I've had some conversations with a lot of younger people (18-22) who have told me things like, "Yeah, I've only (had sex with) 5 people...", and to tell you the truth, it always shocks me how casual they sound about it. I always want to hug them and say, "Don't you know you're worth so much more than being someone's number?"
But... I usually don't say anything... mostly because they're not asking me for advice, they're just wanting to talk, and I don't want to sound like I'm judging them or giving them a lecture. After all, one person told me they were experimenting with different partners because they'd seen a parent do that their entire life.
Another reason I don't try to "preach" is because I don't want to sound hypocritical. If asked about my own life, I'm completely honest with them about my own flaws and why I now make different choices.
Some time ago, a much younger guy (21) asked me out and I told him thank you but I thought the age difference was too great. He told me, "If I could get you drunk, you'd change your mind." I was actually kind of too shocked to say much back... He was not a Christian and had no interest in Christian principles, so instead of trying to talk to him about my faith, I told him that's exactly why I don't go to parties and drink-- because I don't want to be someone's drunken mistake.
But I always wondered if I could have said anything more constructive in order to "let my light shine"... If nothing else, I try to say something that might get a person thinking in a different direction, whether a Christian or not.
What about the rest of you? When you find others talking about living in ways that are contrary to God's will... What do you say or do? How do you respond? Or do you not say anything at all? What do you think are the best ways to "let your light shine" in such situations?
I was wondering what the rest of you do to maintain a good example to others, especially those who are not Christians. Do people know you're living differently than the rest of the world, and if not, are there better ways of announcing or demonstrating your beliefs without sounding "preachy"?
As Christians, we are to be the "salt and light of the earth"--but what's your personal advice on how we should go about doing that?
I ask because I've had some conversations with a lot of younger people (18-22) who have told me things like, "Yeah, I've only (had sex with) 5 people...", and to tell you the truth, it always shocks me how casual they sound about it. I always want to hug them and say, "Don't you know you're worth so much more than being someone's number?"
But... I usually don't say anything... mostly because they're not asking me for advice, they're just wanting to talk, and I don't want to sound like I'm judging them or giving them a lecture. After all, one person told me they were experimenting with different partners because they'd seen a parent do that their entire life.
Another reason I don't try to "preach" is because I don't want to sound hypocritical. If asked about my own life, I'm completely honest with them about my own flaws and why I now make different choices.
Some time ago, a much younger guy (21) asked me out and I told him thank you but I thought the age difference was too great. He told me, "If I could get you drunk, you'd change your mind." I was actually kind of too shocked to say much back... He was not a Christian and had no interest in Christian principles, so instead of trying to talk to him about my faith, I told him that's exactly why I don't go to parties and drink-- because I don't want to be someone's drunken mistake.
But I always wondered if I could have said anything more constructive in order to "let my light shine"... If nothing else, I try to say something that might get a person thinking in a different direction, whether a Christian or not.
What about the rest of you? When you find others talking about living in ways that are contrary to God's will... What do you say or do? How do you respond? Or do you not say anything at all? What do you think are the best ways to "let your light shine" in such situations?
