Living Out Your Faith in the Workplace

“Faith,” “church” and “God” weren’t in my vocabulary for most of my professional career. In fact, my personal life was a wreck and some of those behaviors carried over into my professional life. But when Jesus changes you, He changes everything. After recommitting my life to Christ, I knew I could no longer live one life on Sunday, and another life Monday through Friday. Coming out of the world wasn’t easy; I was lonely and weak. I compromised and struggled in so many ways as a single woman and found myself in a cycle of guilt and condemnation.

So how can a single live out their walk with Christ without compromise in the workplace?

Here are some truths God has helped me live out in the workplace that can help you too:

1. Set Boundaries That Mark Your Faith

As a young man, Daniel found himself living amidst a strongly polytheistic religious and hedonistic culture and would have been exposed to great temptations. Daniel set boundaries that set him apart and honored his commitment to the one true God.  

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

The king’s food and wine would likely have been dedicated to false gods. By refusing the king’s food and wine, Daniel set a boundary that identified his beliefs and values and made a public statement that he would not assimilate to the culture of Babylon.  

Boundaries preserve our character and our testimony; they communicate WHO we are and WHOSE we are. If we fail to set boundaries in the workplace, we will lose our integrity and ultimately our testimony.

Some boundaries in the workplace to consider might be:

• Decline invitations to “meet-up” at a bar for drinks after work;

• Commit to not working on Sunday;

• Don’t participate in gossip or inappropriate jokes;

• Never lie or falsify information, even if asked by your boss or supervisor. Always be truthful. Always.

• Don’t criticize your boss and always show respect to those in authority;

• Be mindful of your interactions with and comments to the opposite sex – always keep it professional.

“Keep your behavior excellent among [unbelievers], so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God ….”  I Peter 2:12

2. Be Accountable

Daniel had a crew!  Daniel had three close friends―Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah―who were also taken captive. In a culture where it would have been easy to abandon their faith, these friends stood together in their resolve to live their faith openly.  At the end of their training period, King Nebuchadnezzar found that “in all matters of wisdom and understanding” Daniel and his friends were “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers” in all of Babylon. (Daniel 1:17-20)

Living your faith outside of church without compromise can be challenging, especially as a single. Get involved in a crew. Find more opportunities to serve in the Church. If you are struggling (like I was), buddy-up with someone who is more mature in their walk with Christ to hold yourself accountable.

3. Take the Holy Spirit with You

Daniel realized the importance of regular communion with God’s Spirit. (Daniel 6:10)  The presence of the Holy Spirit was evident in Daniel’s life, and recognized by unbelievers around him.  (Daniel 4:18; 5:11)

When the Holy Spirit enters a place, He changes the environment.

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Recently, a male colleague came into my office and made a sexist remark. But he quickly corrected himself and even changed his tone of voice before I had a chance to respond. I believe it was because of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit wants to be your best friend. Talk to Him when you wake in the morning and invite Him into your day.  Invite Him into your workplace or office and talk to Him throughout the day.

Finally, as a single you may have dreams and aspirations that have yet to be realized. Know that God has not forgotten you. Like Daniel, He has placed you where you are for a reason. Remain faithful, and rest in His promises.

As a church we do not believe in doing life alone. We want to pray with you.

To submit a prayer request visit

www.legacychurchri.com/prayerandpraise

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