When Others Have It Wrong

So these three men stopped answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Job 32:1 NIV

This verse follows 30 chapters of conversation between Job and three of his friends. They thought they knew the reason for the loss of Job’s children, wealth, and health. Stripped of everything but his life, they were convinced it was all due to something Job had done wrong. They brought accusation upon accusation against Job and he simply responded with the truth. They based their judgments on the belief that difficulties only come into one’s life because of personal sin. It was obvious to them that God had turned His back on Job and was punishing him for something he had done. No matter what Job said they were sure they were right.

What they did not know was that the difficulties had to do with satanic involvement not personal failure. Although Job was not sinless, God gave an impressive report about him to Satan. According to Job 1:8, God stated of Job, “there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God, and shuns evil.” Satan was sure this was only due to the fact that Job had it so well in life. Convinced that he could get Job to turn away from God by bringing pain, suffering, and loss into his life, God allowed him to carry out his plan. God knew Job well enough to know he would pass the test! Job knew his heart and did not let the opinions of others persuade him otherwise. He has become a shining example to me!

I am sure each of us can attest to a time in our life when we were misunderstood or misjudged. We have done it ourselves and have had it done to us. There are times others may have it right. God has given them the ability to discern us wisely and accurately. But there are also times this is not the case. They think they know us and have drawn conclusions from a limited perspective. It is during these times that we must ask God to show us His truth and perspective. He is the only One who really knows our heart and our full story. He will let us know if another person’s words are meant for us or if we need to simply walk away from what is being said. As a person who is use to crawling under the care of people, I can bear witness to the difficulty of walking away from the opinions of others. But it is necessary if I am going to take God up on His invitation of “come unto Me!”

I don’t ever want to ignore God’s message to me when it comes from the mouth of a person. I have been blessed to have Him send individuals into my life for that very purpose. However, I have also experienced well meaning people who had it wrong and the enemy used their words to attempt to shut down the very thing God was doing in my life. May God help me know when either is happening.

Father, help me to trust Your voice above the voice of others. If they are sent by You to speak to me let me see that. If their words are not of You let me see that as well. Amen.