“But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” – Genesis 39:8-9 (NKJV).
Persecution at work for your faith can be painful and isolating, but God has called you to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ. Persecution is a part of the Christian life, and the believer should be ready to stand for Christ wherever the opportunity arises, including at the workplace.
Our anchor text brings us into Joseph’s world, highlighting a difficult and compromising situation he faced. Potiphar’s wife pursued him repeatedly, pressuring him to sin. But Joseph stood his ground. He refused her advances not out of pride or fear, but out of reverence for God. To him, giving in was not just moral failure, it was “great wickedness and sin against God.”
Joseph’s stance cost him everything for a moment: his reputation, his position, and eventually his freedom. But he understood something we must also embrace; his work was ultimately unto the Lord. His integrity in Potiphar’s house was an offering to God, even when it brought persecution.
Jesus makes it clear in John 15:19–20 that as long as we live in this world, we will face hostility for His sake. Rather than seeing persecution as something to be afraid of, Scripture invites you to see it as a test of faith and an opportunity to prove your allegiance to Jesus. In 1 Peter 1:7, Apostle Peter made a profound statement that hard times come to show that your faith in Christ is genuine. Only an impostor would run away from opportunities to stand for what he believes in.
So how do you navigate persecution at work? Your first responsibility is to maintain a godly disposition. Colossians 3:22-24 instructs believers to carry out their duties “as unto the Lord,” remembering that God Himself rewards faithfulness. This means working with excellence, honour, and diligence, not because your boss sees you, but because El-Roi, the God who sees, is mindful of your labour.
And let this truth settle deeply: being corrected for poor performance is not persecution; it is discipline. Faithfulness includes owning your responsibilities and giving your best.
Say this: I choose to represent Christ at all times. I am diligent in my duties, and I maintain a godly disposition even in the face of persecution.
Bible Reading Plan: Ezekiel 17–19; John 1:1–28