Dr. Tan Tek Seng

DAILY REFLECTION

26 Feb 2026

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." 

James 4:8

Operating a business as believers in a corrupt society places us in a constant spiritual battleground. Every decision — hiring, negotiating, expanding, investing — reveals what truly governs our hearts.

When profit, recognition, or competition becomes our main motivation, compromise seldom happens suddenly. It develops quietly and progressively. Ethical lines blur. Convictions soften. What once felt non-negotiable becomes adjustable. Gradually, pride replaces dependence, and our confidence shifts from God’s guidance to our own expertise and track record.

Over time, such misalignment creates internal fragmentation. Outwardly, the business may expand and prosper. Inwardly, however, intimacy with God weakens. The leader may gain influence yet lose spiritual clarity and peace. Performance increases, but spiritual sensitivity declines.

Without deliberate and ongoing spiritual alignment — prayerful dependence, ethical vigilance, and humility before God — external achievement can conceal internal erosion. Sustainable success requires more than sound strategy; it requires a soul that remains anchored, surrendered, and aligned with God.

James 4:8 anchors believers amid workplace pressures. It reminds us that God’s presence is always accessible. When we repent, surrender divided hearts, and seek Him sincerely, we experience His nearness — and from that nearness flows integrity, peace, and lasting purpose.

“When your loyalty is divided, it leads to spiritual stagnation."