Stand Firm

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. Your every action must be done with love.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14, HCSB

AS FATHERS, we’d be quick to intervene if we saw our kids hanging out with the wrong crowd. We know the power of corrupting influences and peer pressure, and we don’t want to see our kids influenced by things that could corrupt their character. We’re willing to take big risks, knowing that our kids might become upset with us—at least for a while. We’re willing to endure the fallout because we know the cost of ignoring potential danger. We want to do what’s right for our children, even if it makes us unpopular in the short term.

But are we as vigilant about monitoring our own work environment for corrupting influences that would undermine our character? We may be more mature than our kids, but we’re not immune to negative influences and worldly thinking. When we are aware of lying, cheating, or dishonesty at work, are we expected to look the other way—or worse, to participate? It can be tough to remain faithful.

We’re called to take “every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, HCSB). That means standing firmly by our convictions, even when it’s unpopular. We may not have the option to immediately remove ourselves from a job environment we don’t like, but we can certainly pray for the courage to be “salt and light” to our coworkers there.

BOTTOM LINE

It’s so easy to adopt the ways of the world and drift spiritually. Though we’re called to engage the world through our work, our loyalty must be to the Lord.

Moment of Strength: Romans 16:17-19