Office Ethics

I love "The Office." I try to watch every week. Anyway, last night's episode dealt with ethics in the work place. The new HR rep had to go over the rules of the office with all of the employees to fill a mandate that came from the corporate office.

During the meeting, Oscar brings up that they are simply talking about rules and not real ethics. Kevin says, "I'll drop an ethics bomb on you. Would you steal bread to feed your family?" They go on from there and get crazy, as that office usually does, and the meeting goes no where from there.

I got to thinking about ethics.

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming" (Colossians 3:1-6).

The Bible provides us with rules and items to follow. It also gives us basic outlines and examples of the Christian life that we are to live. However, the Bible does not explicitly cover every single situation we will face in our lives. Does this mean that it is insufficient? I don't think so.

Ethics is defined as “a set of moral principles, the study of morality.” Christian Ethics would then be the moral principles that are taken from the Bible and the Christian faith. God's Word does provide us with the truths and the guidance to live a good, moral life even though it does not give specific guidance in all specific situations.

However, in any moral situation, we can receive guidance and perspective through the truth of Scripture. In some cases it will be simple, like the rules for Christian living we find in Colossians, chapter 3. In other cases, however, we need to do a little digging. The absolute best way to do that is to pray over God’s Word. Part of the Holy Spirit's role is to teach us the truth of Scripture: “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). “As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him” (1 John 2:27). And that same Spirit indwells in all believers. So, your teacher is always present. Accept no substitutes. When we pray over Scripture, the Spirit will guide us and teach us. He will show us the truths we need to stand on for any given situation.

God's Word provides all direction for living a Christian life even though it doesn't cover every specific situation. Most things we can simply see what the Bible says and follow the proper course based on that. In the cases where Scripture does not give explicit instructions for a given situation, we need to look for the principle behind it. Again, in some of those cases it will be easy. Most of the principles Christians follow are sufficient for most situations. In the rare case where there is neither explicit Scripture nor seemingly clear principle, we need to rely on God. We must pray over His Word and open ourselves to His Spirit. The Spirit will teach us and guide us through the Bible to find the principle we need to stand on so we may walk and live as a Christian should.

This would be a route I would love to see them take on "The Office." I wonder what Dwight's prayers would sound like.