We tend to make friends in a variety of places, one of those places being our jobs. But what do you do when you find yourself getting too close with a coworker? You might be in a relationship or even married (and/or they might be as well) but you find yourself thinking about them more often. You find yourself having more feelings for them than you should. You find yourself swinging by their area at work more often. This is bad.
But what do you do? I believe we can find some points in the Bible.
First off, never allow yourself to be alone with them. When you are alone, no one is there to keep you accountable or to tell you to stop. And if you are listening to your heart (Jeremiah 17:9) and not to God, you’re headed down the wrong path. Never listen to your heart. Always listen to the Holy Spirit.
But what if you do? Remember the example of Joseph in Genesis 39. When Mrs. Potipher put the moves on him, he kept saying no. But one day she sent everyone out, where it was only her and him. When she tried one more time, he ran. Verse 12 says, “And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” He ran, no matter what the cost or accusation might be. He knew that he did the right thing and had honored God in his decision to run.
If it comes down to it, the friendship may need to be ended. If you are getting too close to your coworker, it would be better to end that friendship in order to stay faithful to your spouse. Job said in Job 31:1, “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Job refused to lust after other women.
Most importantly, keep God first. Spend lots of time in prayer and Bible study. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” This doesn’t mean you pray all the time. Just be ready to pray and don’t hesitate to pray. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
If you keep your eyes focused on Him, He will lead you the right way. You just need to choose to follow Him. He won’t force you. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says that God will always provide you a way out of the temptation. None of us have ever faced a temptation that some in the past has not faced.
Never, ever give up. Always trust God. Don’t ever give the devil the opportunity to tempt you. With God’s strength, you can do this. One final verse: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13.