Taking It to Work:
We all want success and prosperity. We go to school to be educated, work to hone our skills, and stay up on our industry and its new developments. But what about working to live the most sinless life we can? We won’t find that message in very many career advancement courses or professional seminars, but we will find it in the Bible. In fact, God often relates our obedience and righteous behavior with His blessing, anointing, and His favor – all things required for real success and prosperity.
The truth is, we all have times of weakness, where we act willfully in ways that we know don’t please God.
What’s that have to do with our careers? If these habits are left to grow, there are many powerful scriptures that remind us, even though the behaviors occur when no one’s looking, that there is an effect on us outwardly that some will see, and it will have a direct effect on how they see and interact with us in the workplace.
Our demeanor may be a little more sensitive; we may be a little quicker to anger, to judge, to blame, or our countenance may pull back to be more cold and distant. Those sitting in the meeting who would usually receive our smile, may hear only our complaints and misgivings. Or because we are unusually distant again today, some may avoid us, picking up on the slight, but real body language of inner turmoil and conviction.
Overall, the workplace, home, and the Kingdom suffer the consequences of that “secret” burden. The answer? Return to Him, lay that sin at the cross, and remember to stay close to Him in times of temptation. Not only will you feel “right” again, back to your full career potential, you will also return to being that full blessing to others you are called be, as His Word works in you, today.
Matthew 6:22-23 (ESV) – “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
James 1:12 (ESV) – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Proverbs 28:13 (ESV) – Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Luke 12:2 (ESV) – Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.
Listening to the Holy Spirit:
The trials of the unfaithful are many. He who strays, falls often into a pit. Enemy lairs await the silent sin, the action in darkness, hidden in seclusion. Many will see what is believed to be hidden, for the weed grows quickly among the wheat, and the discernment of the Lord is within His own. Many see and avoid, many too give grace. He who does right by day, and in shadows sins, it is to him great sorrow, a burden revived with each fall. Bearing the Name above all names does not shield, for the Father allows the will of he who chooses. Know the strength given in obedience. My grace extends that you may rise from the deep pit, even again you may rise, for My blood is given that the weak be strong, and the guilty cleansed. It is the repentant soul that thirsts for drink, and in the asking receives. Remain close to Me as the daylight falls. Give not to the darkness what is detestable to the Light. Much is not hidden to the discerning, and the burden increases the hiding. Seek to remain in the grace of freedom, for the Light has come that you would not remain in darkness.
