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Essentials
Daily, Jesus was surrounded by the same problems as we are. Working conditions have changed with time, but frustration, anxiety and stress have not. Close examination of Christ's life teaches us how He spoke and acted in the workplace as He dealt with problems. Already, we have learned that Jesus fulfilled our Father's will. Now, we add to our study what the Lord said and did as He followed the teachings of His Father. As Christ did, so Christians should pattern their life after His.
The scriptures serve as guidelines. They direct us to reflect on our own experiences. The Bible is the only true spiritual scales. By weighing each specific subject, we will see how the Lord wants us to conduct ourselves in the workplace. As we study the scriptures, perhaps, we can perceive how these verses apply to each of us.
I chose scriptures mainly from the book of Proverbs. They teach us how to observe, listen and speak in the workplace. It might surprise you to know that God gave us so much, throughout the Bible, pertaining to communications. Since the Lord repeatedly spoke on the subject, it becomes obvious that He wants us to improve our communications.
Speaking is more than just noise from our lips; it exposes our inward spirit. Our conversation and behavior project our hearts to others. Our actions or work make definite statements, good or bad. The next scripture is the essence of communicating correctly.
"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established." Proverbs 16:3
After Christ saves us, one of our first lessons is controlling our tongues. Words depict our attitudes and set the course for our lives. Do you remember what burdens a man? Did you read the Introduction? Our words determine the rewards for our labor. Our words can be like a dry, hot wind that scorches the earth and leaves it desolate, or they can be as sparkling water poured upon the parched earth to bring forth life.
By words, we establish our credibility in the workplace. Our words tell others about our thoughts, abilities, understanding, and personality. Our speech quickly reveals the spirit within us. When we open our mouths, everyone hearing us will know our hearts.
The Lord wants us to prosper, so He gave scriptures to teach us how to speak. The scriptures are stepping stones to keep us from getting wet. If we use them, they are a pathway to put us and our hearts in the right place. If your life is to prosper in the workplace, you must start the process with your speech. Every spoken word is critical to doing well in the workplace.
"But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matthew 12:36-37
In the next scriptures, Christ, in human form, perceived the hearts of men when they spoke. The nature of Christ is to listen. Therefore, He will always knows how to speak with everyone. Keep this in mind; the Lord wrote these instructions so that we could grow in Him. Only through Christ, are we able to keep His sayings.
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." John 15:1-8
Sprinkled throughout the Bible, colorful words picture the condition, prophecy, or person. Colorful words are usually crude. Crude words are part of our language. We must isolate these words from profanity, which is cussing. They are different. The difference is their use.
Crude words, if ever used, should be very selective. Offensive or rough words are usually repulsive. Speaking such words only shows the speaker's crudeness. Using colorful language proves the indifference of a person towards himself.
To gain a person's attention, vivid detail, not colorful words, is more suitable. Crudeness is no substitute for articulate speech. We are all individuals. We have our own minds. Therefore, us stubborn ones need a stronger approach. Nevertheless, no one's actions ever warranted a cussing. Where is the justification in giving one? Yes, we are to abstain from profanity. Can honor abide in blaspheming?
The third point is a curse. A curse is an appeal for evil, trouble, or misfortune to befall someone or something. A curse is the condemnation of a spiritual or material entity. A curse is the same whether implied secretly or sworn openly. A curse can also cause irrevocable punishment and total destruction. If you want to read a Godly curse, turn to Psalm 109.
Jesus neither spoke profanity nor did He use colorful language, but He did curse. Yes, a curse came from His lips. Hold on a minute! Let me explain.
Near Jerusalem, He cursed a fig tree. Christ did it so that we could learn the doing as well as the prophecy from His words. Do you curse or even know how? Know or not, the results of a curse are the same. God never changes. As He cursed the fig tree, Jesus will curse all the Unfruitful and command them cast into the Lake of Fire. Compare the withered fig tree to the dry souls of the Unfruitful.
"And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it." "And when even was come, he went out of the city. And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away." Mark 11:12-14, 19-21
In your workplace, do you have a Faultfinder? A Faultfinder always condemns others and their actions, no matter the goodness in them. Regardless of how high one's performance level, it never satisfies a Faultfinder. In his eyes, everyone's deeds fall short of his changing expectations. Even when a job is done well, the Faultfinder will find reason to condemn the judgement in doing it. He tries to stand above all others. He does this only in his mind by condemning and belittling others.
When anyone continually opposes others or their work, sooner or later, he will oppose the eternal plan of God. When he does, stand still and be silent. The Lord will swiftly break the Faultfinder. The horrifying part is that there will be no cure or stopping his end. No man can change his imminent calamity, for God's law and judgment are sure.
"A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy." Proverbs 6:12-15
The word froward is archaic and means being continually in opposition. I know you have seen people of this description. They want to play what they call "the devil's advocate." The term "devil's advocate" fits them perfectly. They resist authority and tear-down instead of building-up. Their words are usually enticing. Their actions, however, are destructive. They may be at any level in a company. They might even hold the position of Chief Executive Officer. The day will come when they will give an answer for their arrogance.
"Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?" Job 6:24-25
"Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee." Proverbs 4:24
Our speech should get and hold the hearer's attention. Either we grasp attention with our words or our words are in vain; they will be meaningless. Our speech should reach out to the hearer. The picture of this is a mother kissing her broken hearted child while speaking soft words of comfort and mercy. At that time, the child's ear is given entirely to its mother's words. Mothers make everything right even in the presence of disaster. This picture is what the following scriptures present to us. Speak with compassion. That is, let your words be as an ointment to the heart of the listener. Learn to direct your words with compassion so that they sooth the pain.
"Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad." Proverbs 12:25
"The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom." Proverbs 10:20-21
Saying the right words at the right time is rewarding. Such words are worthy of posterity. These words bring joy to our hearts and a pleasant smile to our faces. Everyone hearing them will sense their truth. Your heart will be glad. Your eyes will sparkle. Your good seed will return to you many times over.
The Lord established the concept of seed sowing. If anyone spends time in a garden, he quickly learns the rules of planting and harvesting. When you plant a single seed, it grows to produce more than a solitary seed. Over time, the single seed grows into a full plant. At harvest time, it yields many seeds. Each seed is a copy of the one planted. When you sow one, you get many. You get the same crop as the seed you planted. Beans yield beans: thistles yield thistles. Weeds and vines tend to grow faster than edible crops.
Choose carefully the seeds you sow in your garden. This principle applies, without exception, to anything you do or say. Decide what you want to harvest and sow accordingly.
"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" Proverbs 15:23
"The heart of the righteous studieth the answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things." Proverbs 15:28
"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24
In the workplace, do you have anxieties about someone trying to get the best of you or to cause you harm. He could be a spiteful supervisor or a vengeful co-worker. Would you like to know that no one would harm you? Regardless of people's thoughts about you, they would remain at peace with you. When your ways please the Lord, they will hold a vengeful person at bay. When a man's ways please the Lord, the man's ways cause the enemies of the Lord to hold their peace. The direction remains fixed. When you do for God, you did it for man.
"When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." Proverbs 16:7
Let me show you another case of how Jesus Christ completely fulfilled the scriptures. Jesus stood in silence before His accusers, while they tried to get Him to defend Himself. They really wanted to entrap Him by His words, but Jesus had nothing to defend. Therefore, He had nothing to say. Jesus knew He had said and acted only as our Father had commanded Him. Sinless, Jesus stood before His accusers in the fulfillment of the scriptures.
Christ was doing God's will. While doing it, He was trusting our Father for the outcome. Praises be to God, our Father, for Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is The Servant. When you know you have acted and spoken correctly, be silent and trust the Lord. Allow God to guide your way. Accept the outcome of His will. Yield to His will. Enter into His rest.
"A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer." Proverbs 29:19
How many times have you seen a person being excessively persuasive? Was he standing toe to toe and eye to eye arguing? When you argue with a person, you gain nothing and correct nothing. Christ spoke in such a manner so that people thought twice before arguing with Him. Jesus spoke with authority.
Christ gave instructions. Afterwards, He was silent. When right, state your position. Then be silent on the matter. Be silent means to say no more about it. When a child refuses the guidance of wisdom, take the next step to get his attention. Why should we argue with children? Children abide in homes, schools, factories, churches, offices and so on.
"How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?" Job 6:25
Often, Christ verbally wounded or rebuked His disciples in an effort to teach them through correction. Christ wants His disciples to prosper in His ways. Jesus still rebukes His disciples for their own good. Admonishing a person is correct when it is for his benefit. Condemning a person is never correct.
A verbal slap, for the right reason, is better than a deceitful kiss. Judas kissed Christ in the garden; it was one of deceit. Afterwards, Jesus allowed Himself to be taken prisoner in the fulfillment of the scriptures.
Jesus knew what was happening to Him; Jesus is Lord. Why did Judas fail to see what Jesus had taught him? The other disciples saw. Again, prophesy foretold of it in the scriptures. This truth stands today. Enemies will kiss you to conceal their deceit.
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Proverbs 27:6
Do you know how to listen? Do you understand how to know if a person is listening to you? You can use a simple test to see if you have a person's attention. A person is listening if he refrains from interrupting. He will want to hear and ponder what you have to say.
Listeners wait to speak. They only speak if others are ready to hear wisdom. The Lord freely gives wisdom to whomever asks, and He blesses them for asking.
"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God." James 1:19-20
Do you recall the woman caught in adultery and brought before Jesus? In trying to trap Jesus, her accusers used her as bait. Even though they knew the law, they asked Jesus what He would do with her. Christ patiently wrote in the dirt for a short time before He spoke. When initially questioned, Jesus was silent.
Because He is slow to speak, Christ listens both to God and man. We concern ourselves with making sure the opportunity to share our minds does not pass. The quick sharing of our minds is foolish. Most of the time, trouble follows when we speak quickly. Trapped by our words, we then try to justify ourselves by making excuses. The previous scripture indicated that we should slow down and give the Lord an opportunity to direct us.
We should always speak with wisdom, yet speaking wisdom takes concentration on and waiting for our Lord to enlighten us with His wisdom. Speaking of wisdom, look at the next scriptures as you ponder ways to control your tongue.
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding." Proverbs 3:13
"And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28
The previous scripture defined the meaning of wisdom and understanding. The Lord explains His words as He teaches us because He wants us to comprehend His ways. God does the same for everything that needs defining or clearing-up.
We will have our desires if we diligently seek Him. The fear of the Lord is to hold Him in admiration, awe and reverence. Understanding is doing our work God's way. The rejecting of evil is God's way. Later, we will look at doing the right thing and doing it the right way. Do you see a pattern developing as we study what the Lord has said to us?
The Lord never changes. He gives us the same instructions over and over. Since we are slow to believe and act on His word, He teaches us the same lesson in many ways.
"Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?" Luke 24:25-26
Do you know anyone bent towards continual gossip and the spreading of rumors? These people delight in trivial or chatty talk about others. Are you entertained by their malicious stories? When they are telling you about someone, it only confirms that they also tell others about you. A loose tongue is always loose no matter where you find it. You should realize that idle words of gossip, talebearing and rumors only cause harm. No one wins in the talebearing game, neither the tattler nor the hearer. Children easily illustrate this tattling.
"A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter." Proverbs 11:14
"The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." Proverbs 18:8
We have times to open our mouths and share knowledge and wisdom. We also have times to keep our mouths closed, or we will bear the consequences of our untimely words. I am sure you have heard this or words like these, "If he keeps running his mouth, someone is going to close it for him."
"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction." Proverbs 13:3
"A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards." Proverbs 29:11
Ponder the words excellent spirit for a moment. Usually, at least one person has an excellent spirit in each workplace. An excellent spirit has to do with the things that trouble a person, if any. An excellent spirit also proclaims where the person stands in relation to Christ. Do you know a person with an excellent spirit?
"He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:27-28
Please, memorize the scripture you are about to read. If you glean anything from this book, it should be this scripture. When you think your circumstances are bad, this scripture will help you to get the correct focus on your life. We reap what we sow. The Lord established the laws that govern man. His law ensures that we reap our harvest. For your sake and peace of mind, remember this scripture.
"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor council against the Lord." Proverbs 21:30
Does your tongue wag from side to side? Does it cause you to jump back and forth across the dividing fence of good and evil, or does your tongue have purpose? If you control your tongue, you will have authority over your whole body. You can stay on the right side of the fence. You do know which side is the right side? Prepare to receive what comes from your mouth as you work for your daily living.
How can you control your tongue? The answer is love. Is this such a mystery? Open your bible and read the third chapter of James. Read the words written there about the tongue and how our tongues affect each of our lives. Now is a good time to read James before you read any more here. No need to hold back; read it now.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." Proverbs 18:21
"He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends." Proverbs 17:9
"Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm." Proverbs 3:30
The next verse applies to more than the lips of a strange woman. It applies to anyone willing to entrap you in a compromising situation. You always attract more flies with honey than with vinegar. Sweetness is the bait used to bring a foolish fly to its end. Beware of sweet words; they can entangle you. If caught, you may never again regain your present freedom.
"For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword." Proverbs 5:3-4
Do you know anyone aligning with this next scripture? They use sweetness to disrupt the activities of everyone around them. They smile as they create turmoil wherever they go in the workplace. These deceitful neighbors kindle and ignite fires, and then remain indifferent to whom they singe.
What is your reaction when these people begin talking to you? Are you prudent or silly? How would you like for the Lord to call you simple? Do you know the definition of the word simple? These synonyms will help to explain it: silly, shallow and superficial. What does prudent mean? Prudent means: economical, discerning, being aware, or sensitive.
When you hear something, do you just accept it, or do you weigh it? Do you judge the words and the way they were spoken? If you do judge what you hear, what scales or measure do you use? Caution, if your judgment comes from your personal knowledge, you will render a false judgment. The only way you can rightfully weigh a person's words is by using the Bible as your scales.
"The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his goings." Proverbs 14:15
If you shake hands in agreement, you are liable. Your responsibility is equal to the one in whose place you stepped. When you agree with a co-worker, you stand as him. Be careful, some actions bind just as strongly as written documents.
Each of us are accountable for our words and actions. You bind yourself when you agree with a person's words or actions because you became part of their accountability. Silence also agrees or disagrees. There is no middle ground. You must be alert, or you will find yourself trapped.
"My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth." Proverbs 6:1-2
Have you ever seen a man go hysterical and throw an uncontrolled tantrum? He yells, gestures, or throws objects to get attention by displaying his rage. He might pound on a desk or smash a telephone against the wall. Of all his evils, he does have at least one conciliation. He knows no matter the amount of his destruction the phone company smiles all the way to the bank. They like his bad temper.
Women have a tendency to clinch their fists and stomp their feet while screaming their directives. Have you seen mothers act this way? Anyone displaying these mannerisms show the jealousy residing in their heart. Jealousy is the perception of another person being a rival or having an advantage. Jealousy is apparent in a love affair, but more subtle in the workplace. When you recognize that a person is jealous, take a path that leads away from him, or you will fall in his day of vengeance. The day of vengeance has several applications. Ponder on them as you read this scripture.
"For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance." Proverbs 6:34
When you perceive bitterness or anger, you should reject that person's council. How will you know when they are bitter or angry? Look them in the eye as you listen to their words with your heart. Apply the Bible as your measuring stick. Their words will drip with desolation and poison. If you stay near them, you will find yourself poisoned. You will become just as bitter or more so. When you are considering marriage, this is also a good verse to remember and apply.
"Make no friendship with an angry man: and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul." Proverbs 22:24-25
Has your supervisor ever disciplined you? Do you know of another disciplined employee? After the dreadful session, what happened when the person returned to his job? Was the person wiser because of the experience, or was he more of a fool? The person's speech and actions were symptoms coming from his heart. They told exactly where the person stood.
"Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." Proverbs 9:8-9
Have you ever seen a continually talkative person? Though he had nothing to say, words still bubbled from his mouth. I have seen and heard people smitten by this awful affliction. It is as though these babblers would surely die if they had to be silent. I have used the word they since the next scriptures also apply to men. The spirits, however, of men and women do differ. A talkative person lacks discretion. He is uninterested in what others have to say. The scripture says that such people know nothing. They are simple.
"A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing." Proverbs 9:13
"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion." Proverbs 11:22
Do your children frequently come to you begging and whimpering? Have you ever gone to your supervisor again and again trying to get him to do what you wanted? This action is harassment, not diligence. Diligence is the way to results. Harassment is the way to judgement. Only a fool presses against the wind with thoughts of holding it in place.
"A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike." Proverbs 27:15
How long has it been since you took an oath or made a promise to someone? Did you guarantee something would happen of yourself or at the hand of God? Did you tell the truth? Look at what Jesus said about this and about using God's name.
"Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the LORD thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." Matthew 5:33-37
You must beware of a person if he shows favoritism to individuals. This person is a respecter of persons. Having favorites is right: spouse, children, friends. Showing favoritism is wrong. A respecter of persons allows his pets to do and get away with anything while bringing condemnation on all others. His goal is to make his life easier even at the expense of others. He jumps and smiles when the company's owner speaks, but only pretends to listen to anyone else.
If you treat people unfairly or are prejudice towards them because of their status or position, you have become respecter of persons. To feed his empty stomach, such a person would sell his own children into bondage.
What? You cannot believe that? Do you remember this? Esau, the first born son of Isaac, sold his birthright to Jacob, Esau's brother, for a bowl of soup. We find this written in Genesis 25:27-34. Esau's birthright also included the generations that were to come from his loins. Esau found himself trapped by his own words and his own actions. Anyone ranking as a respecter of persons will find himself caught in his own net as Esau did.
"To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress." Proverbs 28:21
"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away." James 1:8-10
People attempt to hide their thoughts and emotions in the name of keeping peace. In vain, they even attempt to control their facial expressions. In his heart, a foolish man thinks he is hiding something from his co-workers and our Lord. Stop trying to control the outside. Nothing stands covered or hidden from the Lord. Most people refuse to believe what the Lord has said. Do you think you can conceal anything?
"He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool." Proverbs 10:18
Truth flows from the following scriptures. How often I have seen these situations unfold in the workplace. If you think about it, so have you. You receive what you have sown; the harvest belongs to the sower.
"A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him." Proverbs 12:14
"A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies." Proverbs 14:5
If you want to do well in your workplace, abstain from embarrassing your supervisor. If you shame him, you will bear the results. Usually, the recompense comes in a stealthy manner like a brief comment in a hallway to the right person, one with a big stick. One well-placed comment causes your expected increase to dwindled to zero, or your promotion is forgotten.
Recompense can come in many different forms. Time is always on the side of your supervisor. When judgment does come, it will have nothing to do with your supervisor. It has to do with the principles the Lord established. If you shame your supervisor, you attempt to shame his Creator.
"The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame." Proverbs 14:35
"Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Master: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished." Proverbs 17:5
People spend much of their time talking about their own doings. They tell about their wonderful deeds, abilities and accomplishments. They enjoy telling others about themselves. Friend, who is in the eye of these people? Who is number one in their lives? You should do well in your job and let someone else tell of your greatness. Yes, it is tough to wait until others praise you. Waiting is good; it teaches patience.
"Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth: a stranger, and not thine own lips." Proverbs 27:2
"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD." Lamentations 3:26
"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit." Ecclesiastes 7: 8-9
Flattery is insincere. Insincerity is hypocritical. Hypocrisy is vain. Vanity is emptiness. Emptiness fills flattery. Do you see the vicious circle? Man, his nature being vain, loves flattery. A Flatterer knows this fact. He uses flattery as a tool to extract his desires. The Flatterer's words are a net to the unsuspecting.
"A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet." Proverbs 29:5
Sometimes the Lord's words are hard, but they are always true. Accept the Lord's words in the light that He spoke them. Never try to make His words smoother or more appealing. We must learn from them, walk in them, and teach others the words of the Lord. We should do these directives so that others will receive a blessing and prosper. If we refuse to give, how can we receive?
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." Proverbs 30:6
When you are at work and hear something, apply the straight measure, the Bible. Place the scriptures beside what you hear, and you will see how close to straight it is. If it is straight, so judge it. If it is crooked, so judge it. Afterwards, stand on what you know to be the truth from God's word.
What..., you are unenlightened of the scriptures? You may not realize it, but you are learning scripture as you read this book. Whichever you choose, it is best to learn the spirit of the scriptures, instead of learning to quote them word for word.
Do you know how to allow the Lord to direct you in your daily work? Do you want to know how do it? You choose the Lord by emptying yourself as you look to Him. He will make His path known to you. He is God. All things are possible to Him. Try to understand that the scriptures tell of the Lord and His ways. Your ability to quote scriptures does not mean you know The Word of God. Jesus Christ is spirit and truth, not ink marks on paper. Jesus is revelation. His Spirit transcends ink-marks. He lives!
"And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." John 5:38-40
I find many people bound by religion and what they think is spiritual living. They have missed the substance and simplicity of the Gospel. They forget the Lord is God, or they never knew it. All things are possible to God, even in the workplace.
This next saying could be hard to understand, so pay close attention. Real love is the giving of one's self for the good of others. Be careful, an act of love may cause displeasure. God loves His Son, yet He still sent Jesus to the Cross. Jesus went willingly because He loves His own as our Father does.
Christ's death was another step towards His exaltation. Will you lay down your life for others? That means doing what is needed for the good of others, regardless of the cost to you. Love and permissiveness are often mistaken for each other because of a lack of knowledge. Do you know the difference between these two opposites? The foundation of the commandments is love. God is love, not God gives love.
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:12-14
The previous scripture is strong and rings true. Declared love is shown in the doing. The doing is giving of one's own life for the good of others. Giving may take the form of sacrifice or servant. Both are expressions of love. When a person truly loves, he allows God to decide which way he will be given for others. When a person realizes his sinfulness versus the Holiness of Jesus Christ, he gives-up his life for Christ's life. This act is salvation. After salvation, the requirement and spirit for a person to serve our Father never changes.
No one can serve two masters and succeed at serving either. This includes the serving of self while trying to serve others. When we give our all, total being, nothing is left within us for us to serve. When we become nothing within ourselves, others become everything to us. Our actions, however, could be easily misunderstood since man has no comprehension of Godly love.
"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24
Now that you have read this chapter, ponder on it for a while. Afterwards, list on these lines the areas of your life that need improving, also note the progress you want to see. Do it before you start the next chapter. Be honest with yourself and Christ. This exercise is for you so that you will prosper in the workplace.
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The LORD Is GOD Even At Work
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