An Excerpt from Christianity at Work.

Scripture admonishes against harsh or demeaning speech. Sal got taught that lesson by a Muslim refugee. As he stormed around the kitchen, taking inventory, moving containers around and swearing up a storm, she stopped him. Don’t curse, she lectured. “Say ‘Thank you, God, I woke up today.’” Now Sal says, “We discourage the use of foul language. Cindy and I have worked in restaurants with a culture of thinking the way you get things done is by being mean and pushy. But it’s not necessary.

You can actually run a kitchen without dropping the f-bomb every other word.”  Ephesians 5:4 tells us, “Obscene language, silly talk, or vulgar jokes aren’t acceptable for believers. Instead, there should be thanksgiving.” Words should build up, not tear down. Sometimes in the workplace, people speak rudely or roughly in order to fit in, but Ephesians says that if what you say doesn’t benefit another, don’t say it. Sal’s explanation for avoiding foul language makes the point that crudity is more than just words, but an attitude toward people and life.

Ephesians 4:29 teaches that it’s not just avoiding negativity, but reaching for positivity: “Don’t let any foul words come out of your mouth. Only say what is helpful when it is needed for building up the community so that it benefits those who hear what you say.” Ephesians ends its instruction by listing everything that is detrimental to the right workings of a community: bitterness, losing one’s temper, anger, shouting, and slander. Instead, the passage says that one should “live your life with love, following the example of Christ,” being loving, kind, compassionate, and forgiving.

In any work situation, a Christian should never lose sight of the value of any person that they are dealing with, be it employee, customer, or employer. Persons, even the rude, lazy, or undependable ones, are beloved children of God. That doesn’t mean that every person is a good employee and should always stay in a job, but every person does deserve honesty and to have their dignity preserved.