Recognizing the Religious Spirit in the Workplace by Os Hillman!!
Thobekile Sibindi
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).
Living according to rules and regulations and by our own human efforts is a trap set by the religious spirit in the workplace that we can all fall into. Do you know the signs of the religious spirit when it is operating in the workplace? The religious spirit discourages a genuine move of God and will thwart the activity of God under the banner of religious righteousness and dogma. It also motivates believers to live out their faith in legalistic and rigid ways. We need to be aware of how this happens in a workplace. Here are some characteristics of how the religious spirit manifests itself in believers in workplace situations:
-Workers may have difficulty praying and applying God's promises to everyday work encounters.
-Workers may believe that biblical truths apply only to their personal lives, families and churches, not to their jobs. -Workers may focus on evangelizing coworkers, but fail to do their work with excellence.
-Workers may give greater priority to religious activity and events than to relationships with others at work.
-Workers maintain a "us" versus "them" attitude when relating to non-Christians in the workplace.
-Workers may refuse to join a workplace prayer group or Bible study because they feel that it is trying to replace the role of their local church. Workers don't see a need for such activity in the workplace.
-Workers feel the need to compartmentalize faith activities to their local church alone.
-Workers discount the idea that Christianity could transform a workplace, city, or nation as "overzealous," "naïve" or even doctrinally wrong.
Beware of this when trying to encourage faith in your workplace. Remember, Stephen was the first martyr in the early church at the hands of religious leaders. You will find your greatest resistance often comes from those in the religious
community.
Thobekile Sibindi
Receptionist | Mustek Ltd
89 Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001
thobe...@mustek.co.za | www.mustek.co.za
T: (+27) 21 413 3000 | 086 605 5017
Disclaimer: Mustek Ltd does not accept responsibility or liability for the unauthorised use of its e-mail facility and/or opinions relating to bona fide company matters. Save for statements and/or opinions relating to bona fide company matters, Mustek Ltd denies responsibility or liability for the contents of this communication.
E. Tshuma
Hei Tho
I am sure you had a marvelous Easter, I did and was very blessed.
Emeldah
Kudakwashe Sanyatwe
Amai Tshuma
Hope you are fine.Ko indava kusadaira 4n yebasa
Good day
K San
E. Tshuma
Sorry my son you know what (did you call on any of my cell numbers) thee days son I am busy winding up because I am leaving my employ and am doing the final touches. I sometimes leave my phones in the office when moving around, sorry son.
Mum