Galatians 5:15-16(NKJV) But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
We have been taught to love our neighbors as ourselves. There will be personality conflicts regardless whether it is in the home, church or office. It is important how we react in order to maintain the peace or be a peacemaker during times of conflict and contention.
As a believer, we should know that God has established positions and placed people in positions of authority above us. God is also a God of order and not of chaos. There will be contentions and strife when we have differences in the office. There are some contentions that can be resolved through proper communication while some of the office politics are inevitable due to the fallen nature of humans. As Christians, we should be known as peacemakers rather than talebearers or people who initiate strife and division.
All of us will have different ways of working and leadership skills. Sometimes, team members will react to a new leader when his/her leadership or working style is different because people are generally resistant to change. We are required to submit to authority even if we are not happy or we disagree with our superiors, as long as there are no immoral or unethical decisions involved. Submission is only required if we disagree. No submission is required if we agree in the direction or strategy. It is foolish to strive with our bosses because they are responsible for us. It is equally foolish to cross the line of authority by making decisions contrary to what is being instructed. Sometimes, we get into trouble or reap what we have sown when we disregard our boss’ instruction and do something else based on what we think is right (even if we are right!). There will be no peace in our lives or in the office if we create strife at work. Submission to authority will bring peace because of obedience and that’s how God wants us to operate. Choosing to submit is being a peacemaker! Be known as a peacemaker rather than a troublemaker!
The work environment is complex because we have contrasting personalities, people of diverse backgrounds, distinctive world views, different cultures and values. To make matters worse, everyone is fighting to climb the corporate ladder at the expense of one another. It can be a very vicious and unforgiving environment. The chances of being devoured and destroyed by one another is very high. We cannot control how others behave or conduct themselves but we are able to react based on what we value. When we are completely secure in Jesus Christ and have our identity firmly established in Christ, then we will not be adversely affected by remarks and politics in the company. We will lose our peace and joy when we allow ourselves to participate in the company politics, strife and division. We should rather strive to work peaceably with all men and women, concentrate on our work and perform to the best of our abilities instead of spending time being offended.
Sermon Series: Peacemaker
做使人和睦的，而不是搬弄是非的人
加拉太书5:15-16你们要谨慎，若相咬相吞，只怕要彼此消灭了。我说，你们当顺着圣灵而行，就不放纵肉体的情欲了。
我们被教导要爱人如己。无论是在家庭、教会还是办公室，都会有个性冲突。为了在冲突和争论中维持和平或成为一位使人和睦的人，我们如何反应是很重要的。
作为一名信徒，我们应该知道神已设立了职位，并且安置有权柄职位的人于我们之上。神也是一个有秩序的神，而不是混乱之神。当我们在办公室有分歧时，就会有争论和冲突。有些争论可以通过适当的沟通来解决，而有些办公室政治是不可避免的，因着人类堕落的本性。作为基督徒，我们应该被认为是使人和睦的，而不是搬弄是非的或挑起冲突和分裂的人。
我们每个人都有不同的工作方式和领导技能。有时，当一个新领导的风格或工作方式不同时，团队成员会对他/她做出反应，因为人们通常抗拒改变。即使我们不满意或不同意上级的意见，只要不涉及不道德或不合规的决定，我们都应顺服权柄。只有我们不同意时才需要顺服。如果我们在方向或策略上达成一致，则不需要顺服。和老板抗争是愚蠢的，因为他们要对我们负责。同样愚蠢的是，越权做出与指示相反的决定。有时候，当我们无视老板的指示，根据我们的看法自行其是(即使我们是正确的!)，就会陷入麻烦或自食其果。如果我们在工作中制造冲突，我们的生活和办公室里就不会有安宁。顺服权柄会带来和平，因为顺服是神希望我们的行事之道。选择顺服就是做一个使人和睦的人!做个使人和睦的，而不是搬弄是非的人!
工作环境是复杂的，因为我们有着不同的个性，不同的背景，独特的世界观和不同的文化价值观。更糟糕的是，每个人都在牺牲彼此利益的代价下抢着攀登公司的阶梯。这可能会是一个非常邪恶和无情的环境。被彼此吞噬和毁灭的可能性非常高。我们不能控制别人的行为，但我们可以根据自己的价值观做出反应。当我们在耶稣基督里完全安稳，我们的身份在基督里牢固地建立时，我们就不会受到办公室言论和政治的不利影响。当我们允许自己参与办公室政治、纷争和分裂时，我们将失去我们的和平与喜乐。我们应该努力与所有的男人女人一起和睦地工作，专注在我们的工作中，并展现出我们最好的能力，而不是将时间花在被冒犯这件事上。
讲章系列: 使人和睦的人