Integrity in the Work Place
By John E Bujanowski Jr
Integritynovels.com on January 22, 2016
Most of us work full-time jobs. We spend more of our day at work than anywhere else. Likewise, we usually spend more time with our co-workers than we do with our own family! The amount of time we spend at work behooves us to consider some important facts – our co-workers may know us better than anyone else in our life, and our co-workers are watching our every action, motive, challenge, and trial. They have learned a lot about you – what have you been teaching them?
Is the workplace a place of challenge for you in your spiritual walk?
Is the workplace a place of challenge for you in your spiritual walk? Do you often find yourself struggling with what to do in desperate situations? What are your actions like when no one is looking? A better question is – what are your actions like when your co-workers are watching? If you follow this one spiritual truth, if you will live out this one single action Christ gave, you will obtain Integrity in the Workplace.
Luke 4:1, Jesus “was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.”
John 16:13, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.”
Galatians 5:16, “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
Romans 8:26, “the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
Romans 8:5, “they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
I don’t see the need for any similes about walking in integrity. We don’t need a list to do this one all-important, most needful thing – walk in the Spirit. If you are walking in the Spirit, the Spirit will lead you every step of the way. He will help you with the words you should speak while talking to others. He will guide you in the important decisions you need to make throughout the day or week. He will speak to you with wisdom before you make that big blunder. He will also lead you in your actions and conversations – even when it comes to those small, seemingly insignificant details.
Here are some examples:
- I’m about to leave some work for someone else to do, but the Spirit questions me about it – I’ll stay a little later and get it done because it’s my responsibility.
- I’m about to take something home that doesn’t belong to me and I’m halfway out the door; it would be time-consuming and inconvenient to return it now. The Spirit burdens me about it. It could become a habit – I’ll take the time and return it. Besides, it would look wrong if someone happened to see it.
- Everyone else fudges the time they spend on lunches so they could have a few extra minutes. I should have the same allowance. The Spirit questions me about it – I’ll only take the amount of time I’m allowed and not worry about the others. Besides, God is my ultimate time-keeper.
I’m trying to expedite a job and if I cut back in just one area, I’ll be able to finish in time. The Spirit encourages you to do the job right, the first time, whether you can finish in time or not.
- Everyone likes to discuss their gripes and complaints and I find myself joining them. The Spirit convicts me about my speech and attitude – I’ll not keep the ill discussions going, and I’ll keep my attitude in check. I want my speech to always reflect godliness, even if they don’t agree. They will soon learn that I want my speech to be respectful and pleasing to God.
Interacting with co-workers is inevitable and you should always approach your interactions with the Spirit leading you. This is vital in so many areas; your speech – speak the truth at all times, your relationships with co-workers of the opposite sex – always be pure and modest, dealing with those who are indignant or abusive – be wise and harmless as doves. There are so many areas to cover, but it’s best to take God’s Word into your life every day and walk in the Spirit. Then when an interaction presents itself, you’ll be able to give an answer – a godly answer and you’ll interact with integrity.
These simple actions – listening to the Spirit and following His leading, are very important actions. They are ‘models’ in which we should live. When we learn to walk in the Spirit, we will model integrity in the workplace.
More importantly, it will become a lifestyle. We will live out integrity in our home, with our spouse or family, with our children, friends, and neighbors. Integrity will become part of our life and we will walk in the Spirit – daily.
Challenge yourself today to rise early and seek the Spirit’s indwelling – walk in integrity.
John E Bujanowski Jr
Author – Integritynovels.com – Novels to Inspire