I’ll never forget the feeling of sitting in my cubicle about fifteen years ago, staring at a small wooden cross I wanted to put on my desk. I held it in my hand, my palms slightly sweaty, and I felt this weird, twisting knot in my stomach. It wasn't that I was ashamed of Jesus, at least, that’s what I told myself. It was that I didn’t want to be that guy.
You know the one. The guy who uses “blessings” as a passive-aggressive way to end an argument. The guy who leaves tracts in the breakroom but can’t seem to meet a deadline to save his life. The guy who makes everyone feel like they’re walking on eggshells because he’s waiting to pounce on any “secular” word spoken.
I was terrified of being a caricature. But in my fear of being "that guy," I became something else: a closet Christian. I was a man who loved the Lord on Sundays but looked exactly like the world from Monday to Friday. I realized later that this was just another form of cowardice. I was failing the spiritual growth sissy testimony by prioritizing my comfort over my calling.
If you’ve ever felt that tension, brother, you aren’t alone. We want to be bold, but we want to be effective. We want to honor God, but we also want to keep our jobs and maintain real relationships with our coworkers. So, how do we man up and live out our faith at work without becoming a workplace pariah?
The Foundation: Excellence is Your Greatest Witness
The first thing I had to learn, and I learned this the hard way after a particularly rough performance review, is that your work is your platform. If your work is sloppy, your witness is sloppy.
In Colossians 3:23 (LSB), it says:
"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."
I used to think that meant I should just pray while I worked. But it means more than that. It means that when I am writing a report, or fixing a machine, or managing a team, I am doing it for the King of Kings. If I’m a lazy employee, why would my coworkers want to hear about the God I serve? If I’m always late, or if I’m the first one to complain about the boss, I’ve already closed the door to their hearts.
Excellence earns you the right to be heard. When you are the most reliable, most hard-working, and most integrous man in the office, people start asking why. They notice the peace you have when a project goes south. They notice that you don’t join in on the gossip by the water cooler. That excellence creates a curiosity that only the Gospel can satisfy.
Earning the Right to Be Heard through Relationship
I’ve made the mistake of trying to "evangelize" people I didn't even know. I’d drop a "Jesus loves you" on a coworker I hadn't even bothered to ask about their weekend. It felt hollow because it was.
Real boldness at work often looks like real friendship. It’s about being the guy who actually listens. James 1:19 (LSB) tells us, "Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger." This is a massive tool in the workplace.
I started making it a point to ask my colleagues how their kids were doing, or how that home renovation was going. I’d listen, really listen, without an agenda. When someone was going through a hard time, I didn’t just give them a "I'll pray for you" and walk away. I offered to help. I brought a meal. I checked in a week later.
When you build a bridge of relationship, the Gospel can walk across it. If you haven't checked out our daily devotionals, I highly recommend spending time in them to get your heart right before you step into the office. We need to be filled up with the love of Christ before we can pour it out on our coworkers.
The Art of the Natural Mention
Being bold doesn't mean you have to give a sermon during the lunch break. It means refusing to leave God out of your daily narrative.
I used to "sanitize" my weekend talk. A coworker would ask, "Hey Jody, what'd you do this weekend?" and I’d say, "Oh, just hung out with the family, went to a community event." I was leaving out the most important part!
Now, I try to be more natural. "I had a great weekend. My church had a men's breakfast, and I really needed the encouragement I got there." Or, "I spent some time reading my Bible this morning and it really changed how I’m looking at this stress we’re under right now."
It’s not preachy; it’s just honest. It shows that your faith isn't a hobby you do on Sunday, it’s who you are. If people see that God is a normal part of your life, it makes it much easier for them to approach you when their life starts falling apart. They’ll remember that you’re the guy who actually has an anchor.
Dealing with the Fear of "HR"
Let’s be real, the modern workplace can be a minefield. Many of us are afraid of HR violations or being labeled as "intolerant." I’ve felt that fear, too. I’ve sat in meetings where I knew the "correct" corporate answer was directly opposed to my biblical convictions, and my heart hammered against my ribs.
In those moments, I have to go back to 1 Peter 3:15 (LSB):
"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and fear;"
The key words there are "gentleness and fear" (or respect). You can be bold without being a jerk. You can hold your convictions without being combative. If a policy is enacted that you disagree with, you don't have to lead a rebellion at the copy machine. You can quietly and respectfully maintain your integrity.
Sometimes, boldness is simply not participating in the darkness. It’s a "no" to the crude joke. It’s a "no" to the unethical shortcut. It’s a "no" to the culture of complaining. That "no" is often louder than a thousand shouted verses. If you’re struggling with this, check out our growth section for more resources on building that spiritual muscle.
Overcoming the Cowardice Within
I have to admit something to you: there are days I still fail. There are days when a door opens for a spiritual conversation and I just… shut it. I get tired. I get selfish. I don't want to deal with the potential awkwardness.
When that happens, I feel the weight of it. I have to go to the Lord and repent of my "unbelief" in His power to sustain me. If you’re feeling that weight today, if you feel like you’ve been "help my unbelief" (see our article on help my unbelief), don't beat yourself up. Just get back in the fight.
Boldness is a muscle. It gets stronger the more you use it. Start small. Pray for your coworkers by name during your commute. Ask God to give you "eyes to see" the person in the next cubicle who is hurting.
Moving Forward: A Vision for the Workplace
Imagine a workplace where Christian men aren't known for being "the religious guys" who are disconnected from reality, but are known as the most vital, life-giving, and hardworking members of the team. Imagine if we were the ones people ran to when their marriages were failing or when they were struggling with depression.
That is the vision of Man Up God's Way. We aren't just trying to survive the work week; we are on a mission. Your office is your parish. Your job site is your mission field.
You don't need to be "that guy." You just need to be His guy.
Be excellent. Be kind. Be honest. And when the Holy Spirit nudges you to speak, don't look at the floor. Look your brother in the eye and tell him about the hope that you have. It might be the most important thing that happens in that office all year.
If you want to dive deeper into what it means to lead as a man of God, I’d love to see you at one of our christian conferences for men or perhaps a christian seminar. We need each other, brothers. We weren't meant to do this alone.
Go out there today and work heartily for the Lord. The world is watching, and more importantly, God is with you.
Soli Deo Gloria, Pastor Jody