出於恐懼所作的決定

巴納集團（Barna Group）的一個研究顯示17%受訪的人說，他們作了許多道德方面的決定是出於恐懼。他們所作的決定不是因為深信那是正確且合適的，而是要避免其他選擇會導致不想要的後果。

在我進入職場後不久，我就真的經歷到上述情況。當時我身為會計師，因為害怕過去犯的一個錯誤會讓我失去工作，所以當老闆要我為一個客戶做一件違法的事情時，我的恐懼就浮現。雖然我知道老闆要我做的事是錯的，但我還是讓步，照著老闆的話去做，免得被解雇。

雖然我不必面對懲罰，但我永遠不會忘記那件事，那件事讓我再次思考如何作選擇，不論在工作中或在我的個人生活中。我決定恐懼絕不再是違反道德的正當理由。

當然，恐懼不一定都會導致犯法或不道德的行為。我們出於恐懼而作出投資決定，因為我們相信自己的財務處於風險中。在吸引一個重要的客戶時；卻面對可怕的競爭者，我們可能作出自己明知無法做到的承諾。我們加班工作，損害我們的健康，並且犧牲與家人相處的寶貴時間，因為我們害怕無法達到主管的期待。

恐懼可能會讓我們做出明知是錯的事，但我們不必屈服於那誘惑。我們可以設好界限，事先決定在哪些領域我們不會對我們的信念和價值觀作出妥協。但更重要的是，我們要記住，在我們所決定要做或不要做的事上應該讓上帝有最高的決定權。

在聖經舊約中申命記10章12節教導：「以色列啊，現在耶和華─你　神向你所要的是甚麼呢？只要你敬畏耶和華─你的　神，遵行他的道，愛他，盡心盡性事奉他。」

聖經談到許多有關敬畏上帝－－不是害怕祂在憤怒中會用一道閃電擊打我們，而是一種深刻的崇敬與畏懼，承認祂把我們放在目前的位置去尊榮祂並代表祂，而且祂為了自己的旨意把才幹和技能交託給我們。我們人類上司的要求絕不能取代我們所敬拜和服事之上帝的要求。

在工商專業界的許多經驗教導我一個重要的真理：最好的道德決定來自敬畏上帝並愛祂，而非懼怕任何老闆，不論他/她在我們的機構裡有多大的權力和影響力。上帝的方法永遠是最好的。

本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自「瑞克．博克思的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx」。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。想要更多了解正直資源中心或想要收到電子文件的「瑞克每天的正直時刻Rick”s daily Integrity Moments」系列文章，請上網www.integrityresource.org。他的書「如何生意興隆而不犧牲正直」提供人們正直地作生意的方法。

A Barna Group study revealed 17 percent of people surveyed say that they make many of their ethical decisions out of fear. They arrive at decisions not out of strong convictions about what is right and proper, but rather out of a desire to avoid undesirable consequences of choosing differently.

This was true in my own experience not long after my own business career was getting started. Early on as a CPA, because of a past mistake I had made, I was afraid of losing my job. So when a boss told me to do something illegal for a client, my fear surfaced. Although I knew what Iwas being asked to do was wrong, I conceded and did as I was told to avoid being fired.

I never forgot that episode and although I never had to face disciplinary measures, it caused me to rethink how I made my choices, both at work and in my personal life. Fear, I decided, should never be a justifying factor for any breach of proper ethical conduct.

Of course, fear does not always lead to illegal or unethical behavior. We make investment decisions based on fear, believing our financial well-being is at stake. When confronting a formidable competitor in the quest to attract an important customer, we might make promises we know cannot be met. We put in extraordinary hours at work, jeopardizing our health and sacrificing priority time with our families because we fear not being able to meet the expectations of our supervisors.

Fear may tempt us to do things we know are wrong, but we do not have to yield to that temptation. We can set boundaries, determining in advance those areas where we will not compromise our convictions and values. But even more important, we need to keep in mind the onewe should allow to have the ultimate say in the things we do or decide not to do.

In the Bible”s Old Testament, Deuteronomy 10:12 teaches, “What does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.“

The Scriptures talk much about the fear of God – not a fear that He in anger will strike us with a bolt of lightning, but a deep sense of reverence and awe, recognizing He has placed us where we are to honor and represent Him, and that He has entrusted the talents and skills we have for His purposes. The demands of our human superiors should never supersede those of the God we worship we serve.

Many experiences in the business and professional world have taught me an important truth: The best ethical decisions come from fearing and loving God more than fearing any boss, no matter how much power and influence he or she has in our organization. God”s ways are always the best ways.

Copyright 2014, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick”s daily Integrity Moments, visitwww.integrityresource.org. His book, How to Prosper in Business Without Sacrificing Integrity, gives a biblical approach for doing business with integrity.