My Boss Is Satan’s Offspring
No, I really didn’t make that up. As usual, the rich life stories I hear in working with people in transition offer enough real anecdotes that I don’t have to be very creative in finding phrases that colorfully describe real situations.
In anticipation of meeting with me, a very “successful” young lady wrote this in her pre-coaching form: “My company is going in a strictly money-motivated direction, and my manager may very well be Satan’s offspring.” She further validated her suspicions with lots of examples that certainly convinced me she might be accurate. While we saw the humor in her portrayal I also helped her go through a list to confirm the possibility of a less than Godly work environment.
Here’s the checklist to tell if your boss (co-worker or the guy in the mirror) is Satan’s offspring:
- Immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures
- Hostility and fighting
- Jealously, outbursts of anger
- Selfish ambition, dissension, hard to get along with
- Complaints, criticisms, arguing and causing trouble
- The feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in his own little group
- Envy, drunkenness, wild parties
This list is actually a mixture of this lady’s stories and another source I refer to frequently. If it sounds a little familiar, you might want to check the list yourself in Galatians 5:19-23 (The Living Bible).
It’s a well-known fact that we tend to take on the characteristics of those around us. We recognize this phenomenon easily in children. Clothing, music, foods and slang expressions all quickly become a reflection of the group of friends involved. We do much the same as adults. If the list of characteristics above describe your work environment, you are likely to start exhibiting those same characteristics. And if you bring those home with you, your family will start to reflect those same traits.
Fortunately, if you want to break that cycle, we also have a list of what to expect in a healthy, positive and Godly environment:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
Not too difficult to tell your boss’s allegiance, is it? And if you’ve gotten sucked into the first list, you can decide today to move to the other camp. Your words, actions, and attitudes easily show which “boss” you are following today.
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“Keep away from angry, short-tempered men,
lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” Proverbs 22: 24-25
Dan Miller's Blog 
June 9, 2009 at 5:13 pm
A couple of things the person above missed…something my health care environment is now mandating… “cultural competency”. This includes every type of immoral sexual orientation imaginable. It’s not that anyone is disrespectful of anyone, it’s that this major health hospital is as liberal as it can be. We are forced to support abortion and gay rights with our union dollars. Now, more ‘cultural training’ to actually promote these different lifestyles. (We’ve already been through various types of ‘cultural training’ in the past). Now it’s being lauded as a special privilege to be on these ‘committees’, and you must already be involved in diverse groups in your community. I am very involved in international groups, but doubt I would qualify for a committee of this nature.
No, the parties, drunkenness, self ambition, etc., these aren’t really allowed. It’s a more subtle evil that exhibits itself in the philosophy and underlying government of the institution. I am regretting ever lending my talents to helping people through this institution.
June 9, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Great blog, Dan! I’ve often cited the fruit of the spirit from Galatians as a great tool for self-analysis. Rate yourself (or if you’re brave have people around you do the rating) on each of the fruit to see where you are lacking and how you can continue to grow. It’s a great way to check your spiritual pulse or blood pressure and evaluate the health of your heart and mind.
June 9, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Finally, the voice of reason! I have listened to so many preachers on T.V. say to rebuke satan in the workplace, hang in there, it’s a test for you. God wil fix it in your favor etc. and while I have no doubt God can do those things, I’m wondering if He’s thinking “Why doesn’t she just have the faith to leave?” I have a boss that’s not only jealous, insecure and immoral, but has slandered me all over town telling key people that I’m a bi-sexual alchoholic so that I can’t go to the competition. Refuting hasn’t worked and now women are becoming interested in me! She is also having friends stalk me after work, and sabotoges the publication we make together with errors she can blame on me. I’ve been too afraid of losing my job or retaliation to report it. And don’t know how to find another job without a reference from her. In essence, she’s SCARY. Actually, I’m a writer for a living, which can be outsourced, just been too afraid of not making it. I’ve been physically ill over this.
June 9, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Oh my gosh, your reading my mail. I work at a company that the first list is rampant. Yet, I cannot make a change as the pay is good. The management has talked about releasing me from salary and putting me on commission as I am not in the office much ( I do out of office sales). I do not tolerate what I see and it befriends some that I will not “hang out” after work with, etc… I am looking for another job where I can control my destiny and work environment. I am even contemplating self employment. (Jeremiah 9:11).
I just keep seeking His path and following the second list. Constantly avoiding temptation, running from the Devil and his demons.
June 10, 2009 at 2:21 am
Jeremiah 29:11 is a promise! God does not promise that we won’t have trials or tribulations, yet we are promised that we won’t be abandoned!
Though the world is full of trickery and deceipt, and we all are challenged in our ability to recognize just who tricks and deceives us, we are more than conquorers by both our choices and our attitudes, so take courage and start building walls that protect what has been entrusted to your care now! There’s no better time!
Mac Anderson also gives good counsel when he says “we should each be the change we want to see.” Though you may think no one will notice, trust that someone will.
Thanks Dan, for making it possible for us to cheer each other on!
June 10, 2009 at 11:42 pm
Dan:
After 24 years of working for sons of Satan I am now my own boss. After years of “the end justifying the means” mentality it’s been a challenge to re-learn my basic godly nature. My goal is to have a viable company, doing good, while also being good to my staff, clients and suppliers.
June 12, 2009 at 3:01 am
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