Closely and Inseparably

10.24.12

Job 15.4-6 4 “Indeed, you do away with reverence and hinder meditation before God. 5 “For your guilt teaches your mouth, and you choose the language of the crafty. 6 “Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; and your own lips testify against you. NASB

It’s true: a lot of what we say explains a lot of who we are. Jesus said from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. However, there are a few caveats. First, what we say reflects where we are right now. Our thoughts and perspectives evolve throughout life to some degree so they are constantly in a state of fluidity. We may believe something for a while only to be shown a different perspective and change that belief and espouse something new. Age and experience have a lot to do with what we think and who we are. (In my case: dad looks 57, often acts 13)

Second, there are elements of dishonesty in everyone. Maybe it isn’t intentional or malicious, but either covering the truth, or stretching it finds its place in all of us. Eliphaz seems to be accusing Job of dishonesty. He seems to be blaming Job for hypocrisy. It appears Eliphaz is convinced of something, and despite whatever Job says, he isn’t going to let him off the hook – there has to be a reason for such calamity.

Third, what we say and what they hear can be universes apart. Job is trying to figure out his own situation and Eliphaz is steadfast in his belief that Job is getting what he deserves for some hidden sin(s). How we speak is one thing – how we’re heard is another.

Fourth, we sometimes say things because we’re reacting to something else. Eliphaz accuses Job of this by his saying, “…your guilt teaches your mouth…”. (Eliphaz unfortunately, did exactly what he accused Job of: reacting.)

All of this to say: we must be closely and inseparably connected God by the Holy Spirit. It still isn’t going to mitigate how we’re heard, but the presence of God the Spirit will empower our words in a way that nothing else will. The end of the Book of Job points this out as Job prays for his friends before God (Cf. Job 42.7-9).

And lastly, although there are myriad other reasons, hanging out with God is going to shape our lives for all eternity; and that is only accomplished by a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Note: I didn’t say knowing about Jesus Christ, I said a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Who we are is manifest by what we say (partly), what we do (partly), and who our friends are. But who we are is clearly marked for all to see because of our friendship to, and with, God. If our Lord and Savior is our Lord and Savior, that will be evident for everyone to see and we’ll be known to all by His presence.

God is at work in the lives of every human on the planet and, apparently, He desires a personal relationship with every single one of us. The question for me is, am I helping in His work or hindering His work? Helping is defined as cooperating with Him as He works in the lives of others; and hindering is shown by how well or poorly I cooperate. My life may only amount to a ruse. My life may be one of the greatest performances of all human history – if – I choose to playact in all I am and say.

Or – my life may reveal a deep relationship with the Divine if I walk as I am instructed to walk through Scripture, and as I commune with God through His Son Jesus Christ and am filled with His Spirit. It’s a work God has started and I am to cooperate with Him as we go along…