Be Just

23 - Justice

It is your responsibility, especially as a leader, to uphold justice. Follow established rules, laws, and procedures, act on what is true, and speak for what is right while keeping your motives pure. Be aware of bias in yourself and others and respond honorably. Listen with an open mind and treat others as you want to be treated, seeing the value in everyone. Show integrity by always speaking the truth, no matter how difficult it may sometimes be. It is, unfortunately, becoming harder and harder to see the truth, as not everyone strives to be just and upright. And just as it is important to do and speak the truth, be aware of what is not just, not good, and perhaps even evil. Do not fall prey to the temptations and promises of wrongdoings or evildoers. Often the unethical choice is the easiest and designed to be the most pleasing.

Characteristics Regarding Justice:

It takes courage. It is becoming increasingly common to be self-serving in today’s world. This is not how living is supposed to be. Oddly enough, it often takes courage to do the right and just thing in a society whose standards have become wavering or even unbiblical. It takes moral courage and inner strength to speak out against injustice and stand up for what is good and right, especially when no one else will. Or even worse, when others are blatantly in opposition. Make certain you are fully aligned with your values and belief system. This will help you stand firm when someone or something opposes your values. Be brave and hold true to your moral compass.
It takes confidence. You must be confident in yourself and your beliefs. Along with courage, exhibit confidence in your choices and decisions. Make the ethical decision, then do not deviate from your response. Be unshakable regarding your values and always choose what is right, just, and honorable. Remain confident and unwavering. And if you must bring injustice to light, also be confident that you are aligned with your values and what is just, and do not hesitate or doubt your intentions.
It requires a defined belief system. In order to take a stance or position on something, you must have clearly defined values. Know what is important to you and worth standing up for. As demonstrated in Elevate Your Mind to Success, reprogram your mind with the values you believe in and live by. Let them become integrated into your thoughts to the point they are a habit and an automatic response. Do not bend or deviate at any cost.
Integrity. You must be a person of integrity to take responsibility for your part in doing what is right. Integrity involves abiding by a standard of right and wrong and always choosing to be on the right side of goodness and righteousness. You are genuine and honest and speak the truth to yourself and others. You are authentic.
Honor. There is a sense of honor, uprightness, and decency regarding justice. It involves faithfulness to a high moral standard, displaying admirable character, and an incorruptible nature. There is honesty in presentation and response, choosing what is good, right, and ethical at every opportunity. And a willingness and strength to stand in opposition to injustice.
Discernment. Careful discernment is a priority to determine truth from heresy. Very often, there are false "prophets" that are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Can you think of any examples of a boss or someone superior to you, whether currently or in the past, who was not as they portrayed themselves to be? Or perhaps within a business, organization, or even a church. It is not uncommon for someone to slide or network their way into a management position with ulterior motives or intentions of self-serving. It is important to take a step back, observe the bigger picture, and use your discernment. If something doesn’t feel quite right, or you feel uneasy based on your belief system, it is worth investigating, asking questions, or in some way, finding out more. Your "Spidey-senses" are probably trying to warn you about something. Some inner quality or insight—that precious ability to discern—must be heard and addressed. Take the time to listen to this feeling, be cautious, and find out more before proceeding. Discernment will also identify when something is good, right, and just. This is an important characteristic for every leader to embrace and develop, as it is valued regarding people, events, or decisions to be made.
Peace. When there is justice, peace will follow…at least for those on the side of justice. When you make worthy and ethical decisions, there is serenity from the absence of tension and the knowledge of being righteous. Your mind is in harmony with your actions or decisions. There is a peaceful flow of energy and vibrations.
It involves your conscience. Your conscience is preprogrammed with your values and belief system. It works hand-in-hand with discernment and is a part of the discernment process. The voice of your conscience will align with your values and recognize the voice of justice. And if it is properly and ethically programmed, be alert and listen to this valuable asset.
Support. When there is a cause you believe in, which aligns with your values, support the cause. Not every cause may be addressed, nor will you find each worth your time and energy. However, a worthy cause is deserving of your support and endorsement. You cannot fight every battle, but using your discernment, promote the interests of a just and credible cause.
Law and order. With something that is just, it is probably surrounded by a set of rules or laws to be followed regarding it. Whether established law or ethical "guidelines," there is usually some sense of order about them. They actually exist to establish justice and the peaceful regulation of it. When aligned, this will be peaceful to the just and unnerving to the unjust.

“Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong.” Theodore Roosevelt

“True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”

Abraham Lincoln

“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” Proverbs 21:15