Workplace Ethics for Believers

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Our workplace is by far one of the most challenging places for a Christian to be at in my opinion. Everyday presents a "new challenge" for us; but it also grants us the opportunity to be an example of what and who a TRUE Christian ought to be. We will encounter struggles and obstacles from fellow co-workers and managers who will put us under extreme pressure at times. Why is God allowing this? And how are we to behave ourselves when confronted with these things?

If we were unbelievers, the devil would have no reason to seek to trip us up (cf. Eph. 2:2; Job 2:1-6; Zech. 3:1-2; 2 Cor. 2:11; Rev. 12:10), no desire to bait us into behavior which might compromise or damage us, no interest in accusing us before the throne of God. Our workplace is indeed one of the key venues for the devil's attacks. Hence, we must always be on our guard in respect to our behavior there. The workplace is also where we generally have the greatest witness of life to the widest circle of people of every spiritual state and condition, and we can be sure they are scrutinizing us and our Christianity (cf. Matt. 5:13-16; 1 Cor. 15:33; Eph. 5:1-5; Phil. 3:17; 1 Tim. 4:12; Tit. 1:6-8; 2:7; Heb. 13:7; 1 Pet. 2:12). Therefore the key thing for any Christian in any job is to remember to always do the job "as unto Christ" (Eph.6:5). This is a standard we are to maintain, even when the treatment we are receiving is unfair by any objective standard. So much is this true that we should adopt the policy of exemplary service, even if were actually enslaved (as many of the first generation of Christians were):

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. (Ephesians 6:5-8) 

We, of course, are free men and not slaves (unless to the LORD), but the principles above apply to us whenever we are under authority of anyone else in the workplace: Jesus is the real issue, not us (Jn. 15:18-27). Just as in the rest of our life, at work we have to be very wary of overreacting to the tests that come our way: Jesus knows we are being tested, we could not be so tested if He did not allow it (Gen. 22:1-2; Deut. 8:2-20; Jer. 17:10; Job 23:10; Ps. 105:19; Matt. 4:4; Jn. 6:5-6; cf. Rom. 8:28; 1 Thess. 2:4; Heb. 4:15; James 1:12; 1 Pet. 1:6-9), and He is in all such cases truly working everything out for our own good (whether we appreciate that fact or not). Since Jesus is the real target of all the devil's machinations, in all of life's tests we must avoid taking the troubles that come our way personally.

Because when we are clear in our thinking and not under pressure but are focused on the truth of scripture, we do understand these things (Josh. 1:8; Isa. 26:3; cf. Ps. 1:2; 119:15; Prov. 4:20-22; Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim. 4:13-15;). But of course, when we are under the gun, it takes an aggressive application of faith and truth to counteract the emotional "voices" that would have us act contrary to what we know is right (cf. James 1:22-25; Rom. 13:14; 1 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 5:8; Col. 3:16; Tit. 2:10; 2 Pet. 1:10; 3:18; 1 Jn. 1:7), to what we know is the truth. The self-discipline we must exercise in the Christian race is precisely the control of our bodies/emotions but in a mental/spiritual way (as opposed to a purely physical way). This is all easier to say than to do, of course, and also easier to encourage others to do than to do oneself. None of us find it easy, and the better we get at it, it seems the more challenging future testing becomes -- because God wants us to keep growing, *not* because He doesn't care.  Indeed, it is precisely because our Lord Jesus *does* love us so much that such trials come our way, for that is the only way for us to continue to grow *and* to glorify Him.

Job looked around and saw the other believers of his generation and also many unbelievers relaxed and at ease, and with no apparent worldly troubles. He controlled his emotions a long time and through pressures that would break all but the most exceptional Christian. Eventually, even he buckled (under the weight of the false encouragement of his friends!), and likewise started to ask the "Why me, God?" question; he eventually let his emotions out of the bag, and they got the better of him. With the benefit of hindsight provided by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:26; 16:13; 1 Jn. 2:20), we now know that all that happened to Job was in fact because the Lord was paying him one of the greatest compliments any believer has ever received: to be singled out among all those living on earth as an example of someone who truly loved and feared and obeyed the Lord, and who would continue to do so despite the most intense opposition and pressure imaginable -- and then to have the entire experience recorded *in the Bible* for all time. I can tell you with a great level of assurance that if God had told Job the situation before the testing began, Job never would have faltered. But that wouldn't have taken anywhere near the same amount of faith (and would not have resulted in the same wonderful and wonderfully useful set of lessons his experience now offers to all believers who take these things to heart.

We have these lessons, but we don't all use them (or at least use them to the degree that we should). Paul did. He actually BOASTED about his sufferings (2 Cor. 11:30; 12:9-10), an attitude which requires a complete understanding of the source of the opposition (the devil, *not* God), the purpose of it (our growth, *not* our unhappiness), and the result if successfully negotiated (God's glory and our eternal reward, NOT our destruction). This is the stuff of spiritually maturity; this is the way to honor Jesus Christ; this is the route to great eternal reward. In my heart, I would not trade the slightest, most insignificant measure of reward (which will glorify my Lord and please me for all eternity) for all the blessing and prosperity, all the peace and quiet this present corrupt world has to offer. For this world is passing away, but the things to come will last forever.

Lay not up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Forwhere your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21) 

I cannot counsel anyone on the specifics of how to handle their current situation at their workplace. In most organizations there are proper protocols to observe, and as Christians we must do so; and there are procedures which may be employed in order to set things right. What I can do is to encourage those to proceed and to act in an honorable Christian way in all things, in a way, that is, which will bring honor and glory to our Lord. In fact, I have no doubt that we can indeed do so. Just remember to keep Jesus in our mind's eye, remembering that He is our refuge against the invisible foe, and that He is our deliverance in all things. Whatever happens, we know that for those who truly do love Him, is perfectly working every single detail of our lives out for the absolute divine good, whatever our earthly eyes may perceive (Rom. 8:28).

God Bless!