Business leaders, think about your temperament at work. What you bring in when you come to the office. What you exude while you’re there. What words come to your mind? Are they pleasant words? Words you’d be proud of?
Maybe they’re not. Maybe your words include: frustration, irritation, short-tempered, harsh, impatient, sarcastic, or rude.
What if I were to tell you that the way that you carry yourself at work has an impact on your business. This can be a negative or positive impact, but it has an effect no matter what.
God commands us to walk by the Spirit in order to not gratify the desires of our flesh (Gal. 5:16). Paul goes on in Galatians 5:22-23 to tell us more. He says, “The fruit of the spirit is:
- LOVE,
- JOY,
- PEACE,
- PATIENCE,
- KINDNESS,
- GOODNESS,
- FAITHFULNESS,
- GENTLENESS, and
- SELF-CONTROL.“
Take a quick second and think about the fruit individually. Are there people that come to your mind when you think about any of these? Probably so, right? Because it’s easy to see. It’s easy to spot a joyful person, a kind person, a person with great self-control.
Now take a second and think about people that definitely don’t embody these characteristics. Can you think of anyone? Probably so, right? Maybe it’s even easier to think of this list than the previous list. It’s also very evident when people aren’t acting out of the fruit of the Spirit.
We are to walk by the Spirit, be led by the Spirit, live by the Spirit and to keep in step with the Spirit. Meaning we are to walk by, be led by, live by and keep in step with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
God does not specify where or when we’re supposed to do this. It doesn’t say to make sure we display these characteristics at church, or to just act these out at home. He simply just says to walk by the Spirit. Meaning, always, including within our businesses.
The Power of the Fruit of the Spirit at Work
What would it look like in our work-life if we started allowing the fruit of the Spirit permeate our businesses, our attitudes, our lifestyles? I submit that everything would change. I believe this to be so because I know that God changes lives. And God blesses obedience.
Christian business leaders, here is my prayer for you. May you be loving in your authoritative role. May you display joy as you go through your work day. May you be a sense of peace to those around you. May you be a patient leader. May you lead with kindness. May you stick up for goodness. May you lead faithfully. May you have a gentle disposition. May you practice self-control as you run your business.
If you strive to display the fruit of the Spirit, I guarantee that your employees, co-workers, clients and customers will notice. You will improve your work atmosphere and the culture of your company.
And in doing these things, you are walking and living by the Spirit. What an opportunity you’ve been given as a Christian to be business leader that displays Christ.
I know this was back in 2016, but I was given a revelation about a business industry I want to get into which is the Human Resource industry. I eventually would love to have my own HR firm training HR Exec on the fruits of the spirit, and how to incorporate these principles to be better leaders. I didn’t know that this was a “thing” and have never heard anyone talk about this, but I truly believe this will help a lot of businesses out here, even for the people who aren’t believers, just simply following God’s principles can definitely bring change. My business will be Christ centered, thanks for this post..this is confirmation for me and a path I will continue to embark on. Amen,,