By Rachel Loe, August 12, 2024

The desire to be morally right is innate in us. Why is that? We are designed by God to desire outcomes that are just and morally right.  This desire is a characteristic of people because we have been made in the image of our just and righteous creator. God is perfectly just and righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 89:14; Psalm 18:30). St. Augustine recognizes this in his quote, “All truth is God’s truth.” So what happens when our sinful nature corrupts the desire for righteousness and justice? It looks like arrogance and cruelty. 

This conflict frequently takes place in the workplace because not everyone shares a Chrstian ideal of what constitutes right and just actions.  So, what do we do as Chrstians when what we consider morally right and just behavior are significantly different from the morality and justice practiced by people in positions of authority over us? How do we, as believers, behave when we know the right thing to do but we lack the authority to make the decision?

1. Recognize that all truth belongs to the Lord.  When we are correct, we are aligning with His view of right and wrong, God is not aligning with us.
2. In humility, seek out a conversation with your boss to discuss the decision and the differing perspectives.
3. If they are open to a conversation, approach it with humility—ask questions about how they came to the conclusions they came to and do not arrogantly justify your position.
4. If they change course, it is because they see the truth.  Take care to avoid the pride that can build up in our hearts and minds because someone changed and we want the credit. 
5. If they do not change course, know that God remains sovereign over all circumstances and directs outcomes.  

We are not God, nor should we pretend to be.  In our minds, we want to believe we are right and believe we know better than other people, and sometimes we believe we know better than even God.  This is Satan’s oldest trap, we elevate ourselves to the status of judge and jury when things are not playing out how we believe they should. “You can be like God” (Genesis 3:4). This affects our relationships with the people around us. Charles Spurgeon said, “If we empty our hearts of self, God will fill them with His love… Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow man.” 

Our desire for justice and righteousness is a good thing. It is good to strive to do what is right according to God.  We must recognize, however, that in our own strength, will fall short of God’s expectations for what is right and what is just.  It is by the Holy Spirit’s communion within us that we see the truth at all! After all – “all good things come from the Lord” (James 1:17 paraphrased)