Dealing with Cowardice

[andersr915]

So, lately ive been trying to take up my cross, but I am struggling as far as sharing the gospel. Currently, I feel no less than completely defeated. I always put God first, and my co-workers know it, and just recently, as we were closing up the store and getting ready to leave, some co-workers saw me reading my Bible and we got on the topic of faith and they seemed interested. In that moment I was thinking “oh my goodness! Its what I’ve prayed for, a chance to spread the word to curious ears”. At one point in the discussion, someone even proposed making it a routine thing. Unfortunately, during the discussion, the topic came up of why the Jews don’t accept Jesus, and I had told them “because the Jews at that time wanted a lion, but they got a lamb, so they slaughtered it”, putting into context the Pharisee’s rejection of Jesus as Lord. Well, turns out there was a Jewish woman there whom got offended and snapped at me. Rather than standing for God, I just went right back into my shell and remained silent, and tbe discussion collapsed. I just feel like I really blew it, I had a great chance to share the gospel and show love to our Lord and i let my cowardice get the best of me. Now I have this to confess and perhaps even to answer for on judgement day. This may be the first time such a thing as happened, but I know Christ demands warriors, not cowards. Does anyone have any advice on how to combat such cowardice in the future? Pray more? Steer clear? Make it more private?

 

[blackforest]

Well, turns out there was a Jewish woman there whom got offended and snapped at me. Rather than standing for God, I just went right back into my shell and remained silent, and tbe discussion collapsed. I just feel like I really blew it, I had a great chance to share the gospel and show love to our Lord and i let my cowardice get the best of me.

How were you cowardly? I think the issue is more how you approached the topic. The Jews-killed-Jesus bit has been used for centuries to justify anti-Semitism in the West, so it’s easy to see how your co-worker took it the wrong way. (I’m trusting in good faith that anti-Semitism wasn’t your intent and she misunderstood you).

The best way to share the Gospel at this point is to live it by demonstrating good Catholic charity. Find a good time to talk to this woman and make a humble, honest, and good-natured apology. “I realize that I said something really offensive, and I apologize. I was trying to share on a topic I really feel passionate about, and I totally blew it. I hope our encounter didn’t dissuade you from having lunch with us. Your presence is welcome, and I’d love to hear your perspective . . .” Something to that effect. Or send her an email - have a friend or spouse proofread it first. This action actually does take courage, and there’s a risk she may not accept the apology. But it’s the right thing to do.

Next time, consider responding with references to “the people” instead of the Jews. After all, the Romans played a role, as well, right?

 

[SPBlitz]

I agree with @blackforest that an apology is probably in order.

In general, one very important skill in apologetics is tact, especially nowadays. When discussing such a sensitive subject as religion, and especially when doing so in mixed company with people you aren’t super familiar with, it’s beat to err on the safe side. Next time, instead of the the lion/lamb comment, -a more nuanced explanation might be that “many Jews considered Jesus’ claims as being blasphemous, and some were concerned that his claims to be a ‘king’ would bring unwanted attention from the Romans.”

This is a true explanation, but still a diplomatic and tactful one that most likely won’t offend.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I don’t think you were cowardly, and you didn’t say what you did with the intention of hurting the Jewish lady. So I don’t think you have anything to confess.

I do think you need to explain things more tactfully especially when you’re witnessing in the workplace, which is always a risky thing to do.

Also, while I understand the Jewish lady being upset, I’ve had to listen to much worse things about Christians or Catholics that were intended to be hurtful and not just someone of another faith expressing his religious views, because this stuff was coming from anti-religious people. While I wouldn’t be telling her to “get over it”, we live in a unfair world when it comes to who’s allowed to get mad about someone else’s perspective.

 

[TK421]

In my opinion, in the context of chit-chat discussions like that, it’s almost always better to error on the side of simplicity and meekness. So instead of “they were hoping for a lion instead of a lamb, etc. etc.”, which is more like something you would read in a book or hear in an audio track, I would just say something like “Some people became his disciples and some people didn’t and not everybody liked what Jesus had to say”.

A person always has to consider the context of when they are speaking. A priest in a homily, a person in a Catholic Bible Study, a person talking among co-workers, a person talking to a 6-year-old, etc.

Peace.

 

[BartholomewB]

I would just say something like “Some people became his disciples and some people didn’t and not everybody liked what Jesus had to say”.

That’s the answer I would give. Some people believed, some people didn’t, among the Jews just as among everyone else.

As other posters have said, your action wasn’t cowardly. The “lion/lamb” idea wasn’t a good move, that’s all. It didn’t work.

 

[blackforest]

Does anyone have any advice on how to combat such cowardice in the future? Pray more? Steer clear? Make it more private?

I did have some second thoughts about my last reply.

Why not blast out an email inviting anyone wishing to continue the conversations on religion/philosophy off-site at a pub or coffee shop? Maybe make it a fun, routine, TGIF kind of thing.

The workplace isn’t an appropriate place for these conversations, and you could get into legal hot water for religious discrimination, (hopefully not with this woman), if you say the wrong thing.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Why not blast out an email inviting anyone wishing to continue the conversations on religion/philosophy off-site at a pub or coffee shop? Maybe make it a fun, routine, TGIF kind of thing.

The workplace isn’t an appropriate place for these conversations, and you could get into legal hot water for religious discrimination, (hopefully not with this woman), if you say the wrong thing.

This is a good idea. I had the same concern.

Even though in the US we are not barred from talking about religion at work, and I’ve occasionally seen people having a lunchtime Bible study group or similar, if some situation came up like the one with the Jewish lady there would be a risk of a diversity complaint being made to management at worst, and a strained working relationship at best.

Take it off company premises, chat over a beer or a coffee after work.

 

[Dan_Defender]

Well, turns out there was a Jewish woman there whom got offended and snapped at me. Rather than standing for God, I just went right back into my shell and remained silent

Is she an Orthodox Jew? If so, do not feel bad, in my experience nothing will convince them that Jesus was the Messiah. So I only ask them about the destruction of Jerusalem and the Second Temple… if the destruction of the First Temple was a punishment by God (and all Orthodox Jews agree on that) what about the Second? you will either get silence or many different answers… there seems to be no standard Orthodox Jewish position on that one