When Your Boss Expects You to Lie

[music] [music] >> Well, you're sitting at your desk >> Well, you're sitting at your desk >> Well, you're sitting at your desk running the numbers and your boss has running the numbers and your boss has running the numbers and your boss has made it clear. If you want to hit your made it clear. If you want to hit your made it clear. If you want to hit your quotas, you're going to have to bend the quotas, you're going to have to bend the quotas, you're going to have to bend the truth just a little. truth just a little. truth just a little. Leave out a detail here, mislead a Leave out a detail here, mislead a Leave out a detail here, mislead a client there. client there. client there. If you don't do it, you could lose your If you don't do it, you could lose your If you don't do it, you could lose your job and your family is counting on you, job and your family is counting on you, job and your family is counting on you, but if you do do it, but if you do do it, but if you do do it, if you would compromise the truth, if you would compromise the truth, if you would compromise the truth, you would know it. How can you survive a you would know it. How can you survive a you would know it. How can you survive a high-stress, cutthroat industry without high-stress, cutthroat industry without high-stress, cutthroat industry without selling out your soul? selling out your soul? selling out your soul? Today on Ask Pastor John, when your boss Today on Ask Pastor John, when your boss Today on Ask Pastor John, when your boss expects you to lie. expects you to lie. expects you to lie. The question is from a 35-year-old man The question is from a 35-year-old man The question is from a 35-year-old man in sales. Pastor John, hello and thank in sales. Pastor John, hello and thank in sales. Pastor John, hello and thank you for this podcast. My high-pressure you for this podcast. My high-pressure you for this podcast. My high-pressure job requires me to mislead clients to job requires me to mislead clients to job requires me to mislead clients to meet quotas. That's the blunt reality. meet quotas. That's the blunt reality. meet quotas. That's the blunt reality. Jesus says in Matthew 5:37 that my yes Jesus says in Matthew 5:37 that my yes Jesus says in Matthew 5:37 that my yes should be a firm yes. I should mean what should be a firm yes. I should mean what should be a firm yes. I should mean what I say. I say. I say. To mislead is evil and I don't think any To mislead is evil and I don't think any To mislead is evil and I don't think any good can come from being evil as Paul good can come from being evil as Paul good can come from being evil as Paul says in Romans 3:8. And if I am a new says in Romans 3:8. And if I am a new says in Romans 3:8. And if I am a new creature in Christ, I should not lie to creature in Christ, I should not lie to creature in Christ, I should not lie to others as Colossians 3:9 says.

others as Colossians 3:9 says. others as Colossians 3:9 says. I tell my children all of these things. I tell my children all of these things. I tell my children all of these things. So, how do I live out this life of So, how do I live out this life of So, how do I live out this life of honest virtue in such a cutthroat honest virtue in such a cutthroat honest virtue in such a cutthroat industry that requires coercive industry that requires coercive industry that requires coercive practices? practices? practices? Is it permissible to be reserved and not Is it permissible to be reserved and not Is it permissible to be reserved and not always forthright with clients about always forthright with clients about always forthright with clients about what I know? If I refuse to compromise, what I know? If I refuse to compromise, what I know? If I refuse to compromise, I risk losing my job and my family I risk losing my job and my family I risk losing my job and my family depends on my income. How do I navigate depends on my income. How do I navigate depends on my income. How do I navigate small daily compromises without losing small daily compromises without losing small daily compromises without losing my integrity? my integrity? my integrity? >> There's a connection between faith in >> There's a connection between faith in >> There's a connection between faith in the promises of God on the one hand and the promises of God on the one hand and the promises of God on the one hand and obedience to the commandments of God on obedience to the commandments of God on obedience to the commandments of God on the other hand. That's the crucial thing the other hand. That's the crucial thing the other hand. That's the crucial thing to see. All disobedience, little or big, to see. All disobedience, little or big, to see. All disobedience, little or big, is owing in some measure to a lack of is owing in some measure to a lack of is owing in some measure to a lack of faith in the promises of God and not faith in the promises of God and not faith in the promises of God and not trusting God to fulfill his promises is trusting God to fulfill his promises is trusting God to fulfill his promises is a vote of no confidence in God. You a vote of no confidence in God. You a vote of no confidence in God. You don't want to do that. don't want to do that. don't want to do that. So, So, So, if God says not to steal, if God says not to steal, if God says not to steal, and we steal, it's because we don't and we steal, it's because we don't and we steal, it's because we don't trust him to take care of us.

trust him to take care of us. trust him to take care of us. If God says don't be anxious, If God says don't be anxious, If God says don't be anxious, and our behavior is governed by anxiety, and our behavior is governed by anxiety, and our behavior is governed by anxiety, it's because we don't trust his promise it's because we don't trust his promise it's because we don't trust his promise to meet our needs. If God says not to to meet our needs. If God says not to to meet our needs. If God says not to lie, lie, lie, or bear false witness, or bear false witness, or bear false witness, and we fudge on the truth, and we fudge on the truth, and we fudge on the truth, it's because we don't trust him to work it's because we don't trust him to work it's because we don't trust him to work everything together for our good. Faith everything together for our good. Faith everything together for our good. Faith and obedience go together. Disobedience and obedience go together. Disobedience and obedience go together. Disobedience is a sign of unbelief. is a sign of unbelief. is a sign of unbelief. Psalm 84:11 says, Psalm 84:11 says, Psalm 84:11 says, "The Lord is a sun and shield. The Lord "The Lord is a sun and shield. The Lord "The Lord is a sun and shield. The Lord bestows favor and honor. bestows favor and honor. bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from No good thing does he withhold from No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." those who walk uprightly." those who walk uprightly." If we don't walk uprightly, it's because If we don't walk uprightly, it's because If we don't walk uprightly, it's because we don't believe this. we don't believe this. we don't believe this. We don't believe this promise that he he We don't believe this promise that he he We don't believe this promise that he he won't withhold anything won't withhold anything won't withhold anything from us. from us. from us. Of course, the Lord may require you to Of course, the Lord may require you to Of course, the Lord may require you to have great sacrifices for the sake of have great sacrifices for the sake of have great sacrifices for the sake of your integrity and your faith. your integrity and your faith. your integrity and your faith. Jesus said, "Whoever would save his life Jesus said, "Whoever would save his life Jesus said, "Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for me will find it." Matthew 16.

for me will find it." Matthew 16. for me will find it." Matthew 16. "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but ground and dies, it remains alone, but ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it bears much fruit." John if it dies, it bears much fruit." John if it dies, it bears much fruit." John 12. Obedience is costly. It is. It 12. Obedience is costly. It is. It 12. Obedience is costly. It is. It always is. Sooner or later, but it always is. Sooner or later, but it always is. Sooner or later, but it doesn't cost you your joy. doesn't cost you your joy. doesn't cost you your joy. It doesn't cost your significance. It It doesn't cost your significance. It It doesn't cost your significance. It doesn't cost your integrity. It doesn't doesn't cost your integrity. It doesn't doesn't cost your integrity. It doesn't cost your salvation. Those are all cost your salvation. Those are all cost your salvation. Those are all intensified. intensified. intensified. Even though we may have to make Even though we may have to make Even though we may have to make sacrifices sacrifices sacrifices in order to walk uprightly and to in order to walk uprightly and to in order to walk uprightly and to maintain our integrity, God won't maintain our integrity, God won't maintain our integrity, God won't withhold from us what is most precious. withhold from us what is most precious. withhold from us what is most precious. Himself, his fellowship, his salvation, Himself, his fellowship, his salvation, Himself, his fellowship, his salvation, his love, his care, his gift of the his love, his care, his gift of the his love, his care, his gift of the ability to do the will of God and ability to do the will of God and ability to do the will of God and glorify his name, and experience glorify his name, and experience glorify his name, and experience profound joy, no matter the cost. Listen profound joy, no matter the cost. Listen profound joy, no matter the cost. Listen to these amazing promises that God gives to these amazing promises that God gives to these amazing promises that God gives to you directly to encourage you to do to you directly to encourage you to do to you directly to encourage you to do the right thing, to take the risk, to the right thing, to take the risk, to the right thing, to take the risk, to maintain your integrity, and to be a maintain your integrity, and to be a maintain your integrity, and to be a clear witness clear witness clear witness for him.

for him. for him. For example, Psalm 37:5, "Commit your For example, Psalm 37:5, "Commit your For example, Psalm 37:5, "Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, he will way to the Lord, trust in him, he will way to the Lord, trust in him, he will act. He will bring forth your act. He will bring forth your act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your righteousness as the light, and your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday." justice as the noonday." justice as the noonday." I remember my father telling me how when I remember my father telling me how when I remember my father telling me how when I was 6 years old, he faced a terrible I was 6 years old, he faced a terrible I was 6 years old, he faced a terrible financial crisis that might have meant financial crisis that might have meant financial crisis that might have meant bankruptcy and losing everything bankruptcy and losing everything bankruptcy and losing everything because of a real estate investment he because of a real estate investment he because of a real estate investment he had made that went bad. had made that went bad. had made that went bad. And he told me that the main lesson he And he told me that the main lesson he And he told me that the main lesson he learned was the difference between learned was the difference between learned was the difference between submitting to the Lord submitting to the Lord submitting to the Lord and committing and committing and committing his way to the Lord. That's just his way his way to the Lord. That's just his way his way to the Lord. That's just his way of talking. You can agree or disagree, of talking. You can agree or disagree, of talking. You can agree or disagree, but it was so helpful to me to think in but it was so helpful to me to think in but it was so helpful to me to think in these terms. What he meant was, when you these terms. What he meant was, when you these terms. What he meant was, when you commit your way to the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, commit your way to the Lord, you do the right thing, you go the right you do the right thing, you go the right you do the right thing, you go the right way, way, way, and you totally hand over, commit, and you totally hand over, commit, and you totally hand over, commit, the consequences to God, and trust him the consequences to God, and trust him the consequences to God, and trust him to vindicate your integrity.

to vindicate your integrity. to vindicate your integrity. And he did. And he did. And he did. That's what Jesus wants us to believe That's what Jesus wants us to believe That's what Jesus wants us to believe when he says, "Seek first the kingdom of when he says, "Seek first the kingdom of when he says, "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, God and his righteousness, God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to and all these things will be added to and all these things will be added to you." you." you." Matthew 6:33. Matthew 6:33. Matthew 6:33. Doing the right thing Doing the right thing Doing the right thing may be costly, may be costly, may be costly, but you will have what you need. but you will have what you need. but you will have what you need. What you need to do is will. What you What you need to do is will. What you What you need to do is will. What you need to glorify his name. need to glorify his name. need to glorify his name. Blessed are those who are persecuted for Blessed are those who are persecuted for Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. righteousness sake. righteousness sake. That is for doing the right thing. For That is for doing the right thing. For That is for doing the right thing. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. theirs is the kingdom of heaven. theirs is the kingdom of heaven. He's a shield to those who walk in He's a shield to those who walk in He's a shield to those who walk in integrity. Yes, he is. He will protect integrity. Yes, he is. He will protect integrity. Yes, he is. He will protect you from things that are far worse than you from things that are far worse than you from things that are far worse than financial stress or even financial ruin. financial stress or even financial ruin. financial stress or even financial ruin. You get a shield. You get heaven. You get a shield. You get heaven. You get a shield. You get heaven. And think of the good that will come to And think of the good that will come to And think of the good that will come to your children. your children. your children. If you only think of the material costs If you only think of the material costs If you only think of the material costs and what they may go without, you're and what they may go without, you're and what they may go without, you're forgetting the deep and lasting lessons forgetting the deep and lasting lessons forgetting the deep and lasting lessons your children will get from seeing their your children will get from seeing their your children will get from seeing their father do the right thing at great cost.

father do the right thing at great cost. father do the right thing at great cost. Here's Proverbs 20:7. Here's Proverbs 20:7. Here's Proverbs 20:7. The righteous who walks in his The righteous who walks in his The righteous who walks in his integrity, integrity, integrity, blessed are his children after him. blessed are his children after him. blessed are his children after him. What a blessing to have a dad who does What a blessing to have a dad who does What a blessing to have a dad who does the right thing. the right thing. the right thing. Not a dad who compromises. And what a Not a dad who compromises. And what a Not a dad who compromises. And what a warning the Bible gives us about little warning the Bible gives us about little warning the Bible gives us about little compromises leading to great sins and compromises leading to great sins and compromises leading to great sins and great disasters. Oh my goodness. King great disasters. Oh my goodness. King great disasters. Oh my goodness. King David takes an innocent stroll on his David takes an innocent stroll on his David takes an innocent stroll on his roof. roof. roof. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Then a lustful glance. Then adultery. >> Then a lustful glance. Then adultery. >> Then a lustful glance. Then adultery. Then an attempt to deceive his friend. Then an attempt to deceive his friend. Then an attempt to deceive his friend. Then murder. Then the death of the Then murder. Then the death of the Then murder. Then the death of the child. You get it? I mean, this is child. You get it? I mean, this is child. You get it? I mean, this is That's the way it goes. Little That's the way it goes. Little That's the way it goes. Little compromises lead to big tragedies. compromises lead to big tragedies. compromises lead to big tragedies. But on the other hand, what wonderful But on the other hand, what wonderful But on the other hand, what wonderful examples examples examples the Bible gives us of people who did the the Bible gives us of people who did the the Bible gives us of people who did the hard thing and risked their own hurt. hard thing and risked their own hurt. hard thing and risked their own hurt. Like Psalm 15, "Who shall dwell on your Like Psalm 15, "Who shall dwell on your Like Psalm 15, "Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" holy hill?" holy hill?" "He who swears to his own hurt "He who swears to his own hurt "He who swears to his own hurt and does not change." In other words, and does not change." In other words, and does not change." In other words, you keep your word at any cost. You do you keep your word at any cost. You do you keep your word at any cost. You do that and you will dwell on God's holy that and you will dwell on God's holy that and you will dwell on God's holy hill. It may be costly. It calls it hill. It may be costly. It calls it hill. It may be costly. It calls it hurt. Swear to your own hurt.

hurt. Swear to your own hurt. hurt. Swear to your own hurt. But you'll be with God on his holy hill. But you'll be with God on his holy hill. But you'll be with God on his holy hill. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego kept Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego kept Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego kept their integrity, thrown into the fiery their integrity, thrown into the fiery their integrity, thrown into the fiery furnace. Daniel kept his integrity, furnace. Daniel kept his integrity, furnace. Daniel kept his integrity, thrown into the lion's den. Joseph kept thrown into the lion's den. Joseph kept thrown into the lion's den. Joseph kept his integrity and wouldn't sleep with his integrity and wouldn't sleep with his integrity and wouldn't sleep with Potiphar's wife, Potiphar's wife, Potiphar's wife, thrown into prison. Esther kept her thrown into prison. Esther kept her thrown into prison. Esther kept her integrity and said, "I'm going to do the integrity and said, "I'm going to do the integrity and said, "I'm going to do the right thing and if I perish, I perish." right thing and if I perish, I perish." right thing and if I perish, I perish." Esther 4. Esther 4. Esther 4. All these examples are meant to help us All these examples are meant to help us All these examples are meant to help us in little things and big things to trust in little things and big things to trust in little things and big things to trust God's promises and to do his will no God's promises and to do his will no God's promises and to do his will no matter what. So, matter what. So, matter what. So, I am praying for you. I really am, right I am praying for you. I really am, right I am praying for you. I really am, right now. now. now. I am praying for you I am praying for you I am praying for you that you believe Philippians 4:19, that you believe Philippians 4:19, that you believe Philippians 4:19, "My God will supply every need of yours "My God will supply every need of yours "My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches and glory in according to his riches and glory in according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus." And that you will do the Christ Jesus." And that you will do the Christ Jesus." And that you will do the right thing. Your joy will be deeper right thing. Your joy will be deeper right thing. Your joy will be deeper and Christ and Christ and Christ will be honored.

will be honored. will be honored. >> Yeah, the core issue isn't the quotas, >> Yeah, the core issue isn't the quotas, >> Yeah, the core issue isn't the quotas, it's the trust. Disobedience is always it's the trust. Disobedience is always it's the trust. Disobedience is always an act of unbelief. Bending the truth at an act of unbelief. Bending the truth at an act of unbelief. Bending the truth at work means you don't actually believe work means you don't actually believe work means you don't actually believe that my God will supply every need of that my God will supply every need of that my God will supply every need of yours yours yours according to his riches and glory in according to his riches and glory in according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus. It's scary to risk your livelihood, but It's scary to risk your livelihood, but It's scary to risk your livelihood, but if you hold your ground and you do the if you hold your ground and you do the if you hold your ground and you do the right thing, your joy will be deeper and right thing, your joy will be deeper and right thing, your joy will be deeper and Christ will be honored in your life and Christ will be honored in your life and Christ will be honored in your life and your testimony. your testimony. your testimony. We've talked about the pressures We've talked about the pressures We've talked about the pressures Christians face in the workplace. For Christians face in the workplace. For Christians face in the workplace. For more here, see the Aspects of John Book more here, see the Aspects of John Book more here, see the Aspects of John Book through that section on how to climb the through that section on how to climb the through that section on how to climb the corporate ladder and glorify God as you corporate ladder and glorify God as you corporate ladder and glorify God as you do on pages 75 and 76. do on pages 75 and 76. do on pages 75 and 76. Other related things of value there too Other related things of value there too Other related things of value there too in that section if you want more? See in that section if you want more? See in that section if you want more? See the Ask Pastor John book uh pages 75 and the Ask Pastor John book uh pages 75 and the Ask Pastor John book uh pages 75 and 76, start there and then branch out. 76, start there and then branch out. 76, start there and then branch out. Next time we're back to look at how to Next time we're back to look at how to Next time we're back to look at how to honor God with the suffering of others honor God with the suffering of others honor God with the suffering of others that we see on our screens, a sort of that we see on our screens, a sort of that we see on our screens, a sort of digital take on Luke 13:1-5, a text in digital take on Luke 13:1-5, a text in digital take on Luke 13:1-5, a text in our reading to start the month of our reading to start the month of our reading to start the month of August. August is already here. It's August. August is already here. It's August. August is already here. It's important stuff to know in a world where important stuff to know in a world where important stuff to know in a world where suffering finds its way so quickly to suffering finds its way so quickly to suffering finds its way so quickly to the screens in our pockets.

the screens in our pockets. the screens in our pockets. I'm Tony Reinke, Pastor John and I will I'm Tony Reinke, Pastor John and I will I'm Tony Reinke, Pastor John and I will see you back here on Thursday.