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Business Tips from a Christian Worldview
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Walk by the Spirit at Work
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I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. —Galatians 5:16 CSB
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The thought of walking by the Holy Spirit in the workplace is a foreign concept to most people because of the pervasive influence of Greek dualism. Greek dualism exalts nonmaterial reality and denigrates material reality. Over time the idea evolved and now the two realities are flipped. Material reality is exalted, and the nonmaterial reality is denigrated. Consequently, there is little thought of nonmaterial reality (spiritual reality) having any significance in the physical realm. Therefore, the idea of walking by the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) in the workplace has no standing with most people. Nevertheless, Scripture mandates that we “walk by the Spirit.”
The application of this mandate does not exclude the workplace. Scripture does not embrace the distorted Greek dualism of today; rather, the truth “walk by the Spirit” is holistic since Jesus is Lord of all, including the workplace.
Given this command, we must learn to “walk by the Spirit” at work. The following text provides guidance for this arduous challenge:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. (Galatians 5:22–23 CSB)
In this text, the apostle Paul presented nine virtues or values associated with walking in the Spirit. Each of these can be manifested by practices (actions). The following table illustrates examples of practices that reflect the “fruit of the Spirit.”
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In the table above, the first column is theology—the root of all thinking and action. There is only one sound theology—the theology of the God of the Bible. The second column is philosophy, which is a system of thinking. Christianity is a philosophy that is expressed, in part, by the fruit of the Spirit. The third column contains the virtues listed in Galatians 5:22–23, the fruit of the Spirit. The fourth column lists examples of principles that correspond to the virtues, and the fifth column offers examples of practices congruent with the principles.
These concepts are connected starting from left to right. Everyone has a theology (a view of God) that defines his or her philosophy. Every philosophy has a value system. Values are expressed in principles. And practices are actions that reflect principles. This means that theology is the ultimate driving reality for everything including the workplace. Furthermore, sound theology is the predicate for sound actions that produce sound results.
The only sound theology is that which is based on Jesus who is the Lord of all and the only sound basis for living well in God's universe. Therefore, to live well at work, one must embrace sound spiritual virtues, such as, "the fruit of the Spirit."
Here is your business tip. Spiritual virtues can have tangible expression in people and organizations who seek to walk by the Spirit. Wise organizational leaders will seek to build with people who are growing in their ability to walk by the Spirit. The actions of people who walk by the Spirit will be displayed in practices that are congruent with biblical virtues, such as, the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness (moral goodness), goodness (upright heart), faith, gentleness (meekness), and self-control. Any organizational culture characterized by actions consistent with these traits will deliver excellent value and enjoy an outstanding reputation.
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Teaching: Walk by the Spirit at Work
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Previews: Strategic Life Alignment Seminar
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Biblical guidance for finding your life purpose
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May 13, 2021 – July 15, 2021 | Each Thursday Evening | Online
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Previews: Customer Validation
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Biblical guidance for building organizations
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Presented in three sessions May 15, June 19, and July 17, 2021 | Online
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