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道德決策的五個P

By Rick Boxx

不久前我聽到作家兼演說家李思卓(Lee Strobel)傳講了一個很棒的信息叫作「道德決策的五個P」。而且我認為將他的真知灼見放在「週一嗎哪」的專欄中,會使人得著益處。

他提到的第一個P是目的(Purpose)。當你作一個挑戰性的決定時,記得你的目的是非常重要的。若你的目的是賺錢,你通常會作出錯誤的決定。然而,若你的目的符合聖經的原則,你的決定將會帶來非常不一樣的結果。

如哥林多前書10章31節所教導:「所以,你們或吃或喝,無論做甚麼,都要為榮耀 神而行。」耶穌基督的跟隨者所做的每件事應該都是為了榮耀上帝這個目的。當這個目的成為道德決定背後的動機,職場上困難的決定也變得容易。

李思卓所提的第二個P是禱告(Prayer)。他強調在困難決定上禱告的重要性,尋求智慧與引導。我們也應該禱告有道德的信念與勇氣去做對的事。許多時候我們都知道什麼是對的事,但我們需要有勇氣去做。

雅各書 1章5節教導我們:「你們中間若有缺少智慧的,應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的 神,主就必賜給他。」下次當你面對道德上的兩難情況時,就採取李思卓的建議,大膽地向上帝求智慧,然後相信祂一定會供應。

李思卓所列的第三個P是原則(Principles)。他勸勉他的聽眾要衡量所作的決定是否合乎聖經的原則。他說50%的道德決定都是根據情緒。像恐懼、貪心或憤怒的情緒會讓我們作出很糟的決定。停下來思考你準備要作的決定是否符合聖經的教導,這樣會比較有果效。

詩篇119篇9節說:「少年人用甚麼潔淨他的行為呢?是要遵行你的話!」當你面對道德上的兩難情況時,不要被情緒掌控。停下來,禱告並在上帝的話語中尋求幫助。

李思卓的第四個P是人們(People)。當你面對艱難的決定,不要自己獨自一人作決定。讓有智慧、可信任的人參與你道德上的決定會有許多益處,包括得到好的意見,迫使你要光明正大,而且你要向他們負責。幾年來我帶領一個執行長小組。許多時候,不論是什麼議題,我們發現某些人就有真知灼見幫助我們作出明智的決定。

箴言15章22節教導:「不先商議,所謀無效;謀士眾多,所謀乃成。」身為領袖有時可能會孤單,但那不是必然的。當我們面對挑戰性的道德決定,允許別人參與你的決策。

最後的P是普遍的意見(Popular Opinion)。然而,李思卓把這原則用在另一個方向。他建議當遭遇一個困難的決定時,先考慮普遍的意見可能是什麼--然後準備朝相反的方向做。上帝不擔心大多數人會怎麼想。

在以賽亞書55章9節,上帝教導:「天怎樣高過地,照樣,我的道路高過你們的道路;我的意念高過你們的意念。」根據普遍的意見作道德上的決定可能會帶來災難。李思卓建議我們要剛強壯膽,若有需要,就走那屬於上帝、與世人相反的道路。

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。

省思 / 討論題目
當面對一個困難的道德決定時,你一向遵循怎樣的過程作出決定? 你對於本文所提供作道德決定的原則有什麼看法? 你認為那些原則中,哪一項原則最難應用?你是否不同意所建議的任何一項原則?請解釋。 尋求你認識且信任之人的建議與隨從普遍的意見有何不同?註:若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文,請看:
約書亞計1章8節;箴言12章15節,24章5-6節;羅馬書1章21-23節;腓立比書4章6節;歌羅西書3章17、23節;帖撒羅尼迦前書5章17節

THE 5 P”s OF ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING
By Rick Boxx

Not long ago I heard author and speaker Lee Strobel give an excellent message on what he called the “5 P”s for making ethical decisions.” I thought his insights would be good to present in “Monday Manna.”

The first P he mentioned is Purpose. When making a challenging decision, it is critical to remember your purpose. If your purpose is to make money, you will often make the wrong decision. However, if your purpose is aligned with biblical principles, your decision will lead to a much different result.

As 1 Corinthians 10:31 teaches, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." Everything followers of Jesus Christ do should be for the purpose of glorifying God. When that becomes the motivation behind ethical decisions, difficult workplace decisions become easier.

The second P Strobel cited was Prayer. He stressed the importance of praying about hard decisions, seeking wisdom and guidance. We also should pray, according to Strobel, for the moral conviction and courage to do the right thing. Many times we know the right thing to do, but need the courage to do it.

James 1:5 teaches, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." The next time you face a challenging ethical dilemma, take Strobel”s advice and pray boldly for God’s wisdom, then trust He will provide it.

The third P in Strobel”s list was Principles. He urged his audience to make decisions by testing them against biblical principles. He said 50 percent of ethical decisions are based on emotion. Emotions like fear, greed, or anger can lead to very poor decisions. Pausing to consider how your proposed decision aligns with what the Bible teaches is more productive.

Psalm 119:9 teaches, "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." When you face ethical dilemmas, do not let emotions rule. Pause, pray and seek help in God’s Word.

Strobel”s fourth P was People. When faced with a tough decision, do not make it alone. Involving wise, trusted people in your ethical decisions has many benefits, including receiving good counsel, forcing you to be transparent, and adding built-in accountability. For years, I led a small group of CEOs. Many times, regardless of the issue, we found someone with insights that were helpful for arriving at a wise decision.

Proverbs 15:22 teaches, "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." Being a leader can be lonely at times, but it does not have to be. When faced with a challenging ethical decision, allow other people to be a part of your decision.

The final P was Popular Opinion. However, Strobel took this principle in a different direction. He recommended when confronting a difficult decision, consider what the popular opinion might be – and then be prepared to do the opposite. God is not concerned with what the majority of people think.

In Isaiah 55:9, God teaches, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Ethical decisions based on popular opinion can be disastrous. Be courageous and, if necessary, take God’s opposing path instead, Strobel advised.

Copyright 2013, 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, visit www.integrityresource.org. His book, How to Prosper in Business Without Sacrificing Integrity, gives a biblical approach for doing business with integrity.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
When faced with a difficult ethical decision, what is the process that you typically follow? What do you think of the principles offered for ethical decision-making? Which of those principles do you think would be most difficult to apply? Do you disagree with any of the principles suggested? Explain your answer. How does seeking the advice of other people you know and trust differ from letting your decision be guided by popular opinion? NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Joshua 1:8; Proverbs 12:15, 24:5-6; Romans 1:21-23; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 3:17,23; Thessalonians 5:17;

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