6 Ways to Respond When Your Boss Asks You to Do Something Unethical

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1. Pray and Ask God to Lead You in Your Response

Often, when approached by our boss, if we're reading and studying our Bibles, the Holy Spirit will let us know in an instant what the right thing is to do. Still, if possible, it's wise not to react too quickly, but to look to God to lead us in how to respond to questionable direction, asking God for the words to say.

It's wise for us to prayerfully seek God's lead on how to respond. It's possible that, with His leadership, our response could change our bosses' hearts, causing them to reconsider what they're asking us to do.

How we respond has the God-given potential to do as the Apostle Paul directs, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).

We want to keep at the forefront of our minds how our response holds the possibility of motivating our bosses to repent and turn away from making sinful decisions. As James 5:20 reminds us, "Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

When facing difficult work situations, Philippians 4:6 directs us to "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

2. Check God's Word for Direction

Sometimes we know for sure when asked to do something that goes against our faith. Yet, there are times when we're not exactly sure if what we're being asked to do is violating it.

There are times when we may have certain beliefs that aren't based in biblical truth, so when unsure, we want to search God's Word for direction. As Paul wrote, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16).

He understood, as written in Hebrews 4:12, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."

The word of God not only gives us life, but also gives us direction and discernment in seeing through errors, manipulation, and deceptions, revealing the truth to us of what we're being asked to do.

3. Be Willing to Risk it All

If we're not willing to risk it all, if the cost seems too high, and we're not ready to face possible repercussions by standing up for the truth, then we'll want to examine our hearts.

Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 urges, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?"

If we're reluctant to take the risk, then we need to look at what matters the most to us; our professional reputation, finances, and comfort, or our faith in God.

Jesus cuts right to the chase and explains in Matthew 16:26, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?"

4. Stand Firm in Your Faith

The bottom line is that refusing to comply with a boss's instructions means we are risking losing our job and everything it provides for us. If not losing it, it may mean possibly suffering uncomfortable and unfair repercussions in our position.

God calls us in 1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

Years ago, when the company I worked for took on a project in complete opposition to the Word of God, I chose to take a stand, refusing to promote or have any part in it. As a believer in Jesus Christ, my employer put me in a position where I really had no other choice, because it would be denying my faith to comply.

Even though I pleaded with them to reconsider moving ahead with it, praying and asking God to change their minds, they didn't budge. If anything, they became more determined to push it through.

As Ephesians 6:14 encourages, "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place."

Standing firm led to experiencing much personal suffering and great losses professionally, but as a Christian, I chose to do what Isaiah 50:7 describes, "Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame."

Although it sometimes seems impossible for us to stand firm during difficult times, it's part of our spiritual protective and defensive armor that covers and strengthens us when we need it the most. As described in Isaiah 11:5, Jesus wears it. "Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist."

5. Choose to Do What Is Right Before God

God greatly desires us to do what is right before Him, as Proverbs 21:3 explains, "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."

Choosing to do what is right matters and is important to Him. Some Christians believe otherwise, but if so, their belief is not based on His Word but on a misconception of God's character.

God does not ever divert from doing what is right. As Psalm 145:17 explains, "The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does."

For us, it comes down to choosing right-over-wrong and James 4:17 makes it pretty clear what that entails for a Christian, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them."

God calls us to be transformed, and that happens when we let His Word change us rather than succumbing to the world's counsel and culture.

As Paul writes in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us what is really behind unrighteousness, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

6. Refuse to Deny God

Jesus, in Matthew 10:32-33, explains to us, "Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven. But whoever disowns Me before others, I will disown before My Father in heaven."

Make no mistake, when we deny the truth of God's word, we are denying Christ before men and women. Most individuals don't think or believe they are denying Jesus when they deny the truth of His Word, but they are.

When it comes to push over shove, Romans 1:16 urges us to boldly live out our faith. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

As well, to "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses" (1 Timothy 6:12).