Being faithful and working are two different things. Not all employees are dependable. However, progress is crucial and is brought about by being dependable at work. Joseph was a diligent worker who showed up on time for work. It is astonishing to see how he handled pressure, tension, and bad luck. Wherever he was, he always kept a good relationship with everyone around him. He fought against bitterness, self-pity, and despair with strength, a strong sense of responsibility, and high moral standards. He had faith in God. In all of his interactions with people and all of the tasks entrusted to his care, he was considerate and wise.
“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favored”
(Genesis 39:1-6).
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small”
(Proverbs 24:10).
Related books in this post
Joseph did not compromise his faith in God. He did not walk by sight or changed his character or religion. For so many people, relocation to a new place would result to a change of character but not so with Joseph. He remained faithful to God wherever he went. Joseph fought and overcame every temptation, covetousness, lust, fleshly gratification, inordinate affection and ambition. He was tempted by well-respected influential women, the first lady, in the person of the wife of Potiphar, his master, but God helped him.
Joseph understood the benefits of winning spiritual warfare. However, evil neighbors, people with demonized and unclean spirits, who were readily empowered to crush him beneath the weight of sin, surrounded him. He overcame them all by God’s grace with a remarkable high moral strength.
“When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first”
(Luke 11:24-26).
The devil used all means available, people, things and circumstances to tempt Joseph, but Joseph used God’s grace, and he came out victorious. Likewise, the devil may tempt you in the office through corruption but you can overcome him by the grace of God.
“When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it” .
(Joshua 7:21)
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat”
(Genesis 3:1-6).
Related books in this post
“And it came to pass in an evening tide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath–sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child”
(2 Samuel 11:2-5).
The devil could tempt you by using your mental perceptions, just as he did to Eve. Other times, he would try to manipulate you by having you associate with bad people, or he would use other people’s negligence to tempt you and get you to sin, as he did to David with Bathsheba. You will be able to honor God and finally obtain your benefits if you are dedicated to pleasing God in whatever office you find yourself in. Let’s always strive to please God at our workplaces, no matter the situation.
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing”
(Matthew 26:41).
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path”
(Proverbs 1:10-15).
You must recognize every tempter wherever you find them and resist them with all your strength. Use the written Word of God to resist the devil and all his agents at all times. The reason for multitudes of problems in many offices is that many believers are under the power of the devil. You must see every tempter as God’s enemy and you must fight them with spiritual weapons. God cannot leave you alone to fight the devil with your natural power.