Leadership

Why is it then with the awesome promise we have from God do we fret at work so much? Could it be that the primary reason we struggle so much at work is that our own selfish desires are in conflict with what God desires? Perhaps we think that your boss is unfair, or that the promotion always goes to someone else. Well I wanted to share some good and encouraging news with you dear friends. You are not alone; we have all at one time felt that way no matter what position you are within the company. Even the owner of the company some days will wonder is it really worth it all.

Let me pause for a moment and say satan is always at work to try and steal, kill, and destroy that which belongs to God. Satan is in a multiple kingdom building business. Since man was created in the image of God, satan attacks man with the common temptations that he used against Jesus in the desert. Let’s look at how He tried to lure Jesus away form His purpose for a moment. The Temptation of Jesus is found in Matt 4:1-11.

1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. 2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Here the appeal to the physical, the flesh if you will to meet the needs of His own well-being. In one sense we need to work to provide for our own needs and the needs of our family that depends on us. But what are we willing to do to fulfill those needs. Are we willing to sacrifice our integrity, are we willing to compromise the truth to get what we want?

4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Jesus understood loyalty to God the Father, to Himself and to those who would follow after Him. He set a clear example that we must not compromise God’s purposes for our life, by pursuing those things that simply appeal to our flesh, regardless how appealing they may seem to be.

5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” There is huge appeal here to pride and insecurity. Wow…if I did this I could have this or get that. How many carrots are you following? In a world of instant gratification in which we live today, I would imagine many people are looking for the quick fix. After all, we now have microwave minute rice…as if minute rice was not quick enough. You see what you are truly working for? Are you working for the material possessions, hoping to acquire those things in your own efforts that symbolize status or position as viewed by society; or are you building the Kingdom of God where you are?

7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Our God has promised to meet all our needs if we will only trust Him. He never promises to give us our all our wants, but he will always meet our true needs.

8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Satan’s appeal to Jesus was an appeal to desire for power, prestige, a need to prove He is equivalent to God. You see, the workplace is full of people wanting power; they hunger for control, a sense of being in charge. They jockey for position, hoping to achieve their aspirations and accomplishments. Not that this is a bad thing mind you, but at what level does their desire for power and control come under the control of the Spirit. At what point do rely upon God to supply our needs rather than our own efforts?

10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Again Jesus response is clear and concise he knew whom He served, and he knew that to accomplish the objective set before Him, He would first have to humble Himself. Therefore we will be well served to emulate his decision as well.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1 Peter 5:5-7)

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. (Luke 1:51-53)

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. (Psalm 25:8-10)

11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. God is always faithful and if you will place your trust in Him you will see the true power of God revealed in your life.