Often when speaking to others about being a Christian and living the life of a Christian, I am asked:
But how do you apply your Christianity in school or in the workforce? How do you earn the respect of your teachers or your bosses as a Christian? I tell them, it is sometimes a bit of a struggle but this is how I do it.
Above everything God demands and loves the truth from us.
PHILIPPIANS: 4: 8-9
Finally, bretheren, whatsoever thing are (True), whatsoever things are (Honest), whatsoever things are (Just), whatsoever things are (Pure), whatsoever things are (Lovely), whatsoever things are (Of good report), if there be any (Virtue), and if there be any (Praise) think on these things. Those things which ye have both learned and received and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Whether we are youth, students in Public School, or High School or College, or, whether we are adults in the workforce as employees, or whether we maybe own our own businesses there are many lessons to be taken and applied in all the various aspects of our lives from these verses.
At the age of 5, just before my starting Kindergarten, my mom sat me down and tried to explain to me the importance of not hearing, or seeing, or speaking, or doing anyhthing bad or evil. I didn’t understand what she was trying to tell me until she showed me a picture similar to the one portrayed in this hub of the 4 monkeys.
After staring at the picture for quite a while I got what she was saying, and what she was trying to tell me. It mostly had to do with speaking the truth always, being, honest and doing things that were just and right. I remembered this lesson and I carried and applied it all throughout my life.
Another little lesson my mom taught me at that same time was: "If you can’t say anything good and nice about someone, ‘Say Nothing at all’" In other words don’t speak ill of other and don’t speak gossip of others.?
Throughout my 48 arduous years in the workforce, I was a simple employee, a team-leader, a supervisor, a department manager, and for a few years I even owned my own business. During that time especially as a team-leader, and a supervisor, I applied that lesson thousands of times and by applying that lesson I not only earned the respect of all of my fellow employees, but also I earned the trust and respect of my various bosses.
The very fact that I was seen as very truthful and honest, that I was just in my observances and that I always would do that which was right morally and safety wise, proved to my fellow workers and my employers that I had everyone’s best interest at heart.
As a team-leader, and a supervisor I showed by my talking and my teachings through action that I would never ever ask any employee to put themselves at unnecessary risk or harm by asking them to do anything I myself would not do. This earned me much respect from both my co-workers and management and bosses.
In my Christan walk when dealing and talking with others I am always blunt and straight-forward, shooting from the hip and not pulling my punches. Truth, this is sometimes a painful approach for others, but it does gain their respect, for they soon understand that I will tell it like it is and I will not sugarcoat the truth. I never learned diplomacy. I am no politician.
The second lesson about speaking ill of others is a lesson I wish hope and pray others would learn and practice more. I can’t count the times I have listened in on conversations where someone is speaking about another behind their back, saying things they would nevr speak to their face. Whether truth or gossip, if you can’t say it to their face, don’t say it.
I remember a time at work, about 12 fellow workers were standing around chatting about another employee and how they had body odor, but nobody would approach the guy to say anything. I walked away, went to the washroom grabbed a bar of soap and presented it to the person in need who noone would approach. I simply told him use it and he got the message. He never showed up stinking again. My ways may be crude, but they are effective.