HOW TO HANDLE WHEN YOUR FAITH IS CHALLENGED BY OTHERS WHO HAVE A DIFFERENT WORLDVIEW?

How to Handle When Your Faith is Challenged by Others Who Have a Different Worldview?

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

" To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing". -I Peter 3:8-9
"A worldview is the framework from which we view reality and make sense of life and the world. "[It's] any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world and man's relations to God and the world," states Noebel (2006).

Since I have been speaking out my Christian faith, only a short time; I have came across many different views on God - atheism, agnosticism. Blogging is an exciting thing to be a part of  - especially when you are interfacing with individuals with different viewpoints around the world. But we also face differences in belief in everyday life. I'm thinking about some students I interact with at school. In my opinion, people have "faith" or belief in something if they feel strongly about it and want to communicate it. An example may mean they DONT believe in God, they DONT feel they have a purpose or try to influence people. But, in fact, the belief in GOD is what they oppose and a purpose may be to influence others to think the same.

How does a Christian handle this? Its so easy and wonderful to "preach to the choir" :) I love being around like minded Christians. But, when are faith is questioned, how can we share God but not turn them away because of our "perceived" judgement of them?

"Walk a Mile in Their Shoes" - An individual's viewpoint is shaped by experiences that we don't know. It is shaped by their emotion involved in these experiences - ie bad experience in church with people, family members who proclaimed to be Christians and did unspeakable things, etc.

"Witness By Action" - This one is a hard one. But its one of the most important things to do. Live in Humility and Love, Make Life Decisions that Show True Christianity and Love, Being Patient When Others are Testing You (very hard for me at times lol), to just name a few.

"Listen" - Listening without judging, wanting to disagree about what they believe. Also "listening" to the Holy Spirit and how He prompts you to act, what to say, what not to say.

"Understand" - Understanding that before we "really" came to know Christ, we also had a secular worldly view of things. Think back to that time and understand and identify where he/she is at this point. Preaching/judging won't lead them to Christ - remembering how that aggravated us when out in the world. However, also understanding through empathy, action and patience maybe we can influence their acceptance of Christ, and leading a more peaceful existence for them:)

FATHER GOD - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR MERCY AND GRACE BEFORE WE CAME TO KNOW YOU AND NOW AS OUR BELIEF IN YOU GROWS. HELP US TO APPLY YOUR EXAMPLE OF LOVE AND HUMILITY TO THOSE AROUND US THAT DON'T KNOW YOU OR QUESTION THE EXISTENCE OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US PEACE, EVEN THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES, BECAUSE OF OUR BELIEF IN YOU. AMEN

The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Noeble, D (2006). Understanding the Times: The Religious Worldviews of our Day and the Search for Truth Harvest House, 1991; 2nd edition 2006