Are you as wise as a serpent? Are you as innocent as a dove?
Aric Johnson
President & CEO of AXIS Coaching and Consulting, Voice Talent at ProudMouth & Host of The Real F.B.I. Podcast
Matthew 10:16 says, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
I know that this is a general statement about our dealings with the world but I believe it is an even more powerful message to the business world. In the world, if someone does not like the fact that you are a Christian they can avoid interacting with you and it does not affect you too much. In business it can affect you greatly.
As a Christian business owner I want people to understand my values AND faith. I want to represent Christ in all I do while understanding that some people aren’t “there” yet while others even seem to be disgusted by my beliefs (as proof by some of the comments I have received about my “One Minute Messages”). I know I lose opportunities to work with people because I am a Christian and that does not bother me at all. I know that God is going to bring the right clients to me that I am supposed to work with.
My question to you is this: How do you personally maintain a healthy balance of sharing your faith through your business while not pushing people away that you can be a light or example to?
President & CEO of AXIS Coaching and Consulting, Voice Talent at ProudMouth & Host of The Real F.B.I. Podcast
8yGreat comments by all. I usually reply to each person so forgive me for not doing so. I am traveling and using my phone for this. Thank you for adding great content and points to think about for anyone else that finds this post.
Strategies Development Facilitator, Life and Organizational Coach at OneRockStrategix
8yAric, Excellent question. My short answer would be that it is possible to make one's values and principles clear by word and action without necessarily couching the discussion in faith language or "Christianeze". In fact, I believe this is one of the most important skills we as marketplace Christians need to cultivate. Sometimes it is not the truth that is a problem to an unbeliever, but rather the fact that the truth is expressed using an "in" vocabulary common to Christians but foreign to non-Christians. We may as well be speaking Croatian. Anyone who doesn't understand the language will hear nothing but nonsense sounds. But if we take the time to learn the language of the context in which we work, and speak that language when expressing God's truth and principles, opportunities will open up to go deeper, and make the good news good news to the hearers right where they are.
Senior Executive in the CBD and Public Sector
8yAmen
Strategic Philanthropist | Wealthcare Strategist | Covestment Advisor | CashFlow Architect | Reinventing Private Equity - as a function of CashFlow
8yWonderful topic! Invitation vs. Solicitation is the solution you seek. As a light you are to the world, you inherently offer two options: one to navigate by; the other to be zapped by. How can the same light have such an effect? The Great Commission is the compensation plan of the Kingdom and is very specific with not in the "what of the goal" but the "how to participate" to qualify for such a reward. It's comes down to the presentation ... everyone likes to be invited, or offered a choice (even if they do not choose) but no one likes to be forced or sold. Unfortunately, most of us have no clue about how to effectively share good news or Good News. Hence the opportunity we have to show and tell. They will come to know us by the Fruit. What a wonderful time it is to be alive ... go forth and prosper in the name of Jesus!