Know Truth, Speak Truth
“It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.”
Have you ever had situations where you thought you knew someone because you had regular encounters with them or worked alongside them on a project, only to find out that after really becoming friends with them on a deeper level, they are actually much different than what you originally expected? Or have you had situations where someone else informed you about the character of another person where you then formed opinions of them based on what you were told, only to find out later the person they were speaking of is much different than what you were led to believe?
I know I have had these situations. Sometimes, to my discredit, I have been guilty of misjudging someone’s character in a negative sense at the onset of meeting them or based on what I was told by others and later learned they were much more genuine and caring than I first thought. My wife and I have a really good friend that we had this experience with. At first, it was awkward, and we weren’t sure if that person was someone we wanted to continue trying to be friends with. But with patience and perseverance, we really got to know them on a personal level and discovered they are one of the best people we know today. To make that situation even better, as we got to know them, the Lord used us to share Christ with them, and they are wholeheartedly committed to Him as their Lord and Savior to this day.
Job has recently become one of my favorite books of scripture. I am especially captivated by the faith and commitment to God that he displayed at the end of chapter one after losing everything, including all of his 10 children. I encourage you to go read that first chapter when you get an opportunity. The first few times I read through Job, that specific aspect really stood out to me. I was equally in awe when God spoke in chapter 38 and highlighted His creative power, outlined His sovereign control over all of creation, and revealed the vast depths of his infinite wisdom. But the last time I read through Job, something I had never paid attention to jumped out at me and this time it was the last chapter, chapter 42 and verse 7:
“It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.”
Throughout a good portion of the book Job’s friends take turns sharing their “wisdom” with him, and falsely attack his character and behavior accusing him of sinning against God. They equally misrepresent God’s character throughout their dialogue. Here in verse 7, we see the severity of speaking wrongly against God. Fortunately, in verse 8, we see God’s mercy toward them:
“Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”
God instructs them to offer sacrifices, and Job will pray for them so He may not deal with them according to their folly.
As Christians, we are commanded to share the gospel with the world around us, those who are lost. We are to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). This is a weighty calling in that we have the responsibility, the duty, to share with others the character and attributes of God. In order to do this effectively, we must know the truth of God’s word. Unlike Job’s friends, we are fortunate to have the scriptures to teach us all we need to know about God, ourselves, and His perfect plan. When we encounter situations to share God’s good news of salvation to others, we must be equipped to share what is right about Him (2 Timothy 3:12-17). Speaking His truth allows us to be effective in tandem with the Holy Spirit to lead others toward conviction of their sin, moved to repentance, recognizing their need for a Savior, and motivated to obey Him. We must share the absolute truth about God’s character, his attributes, and His plan.
Similar as what I mentioned earlier, if we don’t have a right view of God, we’re susceptible to misunderstand Him, which leaves us vulnerable to distortion and deception. Additionally, if we don’t understand God and His word rightly, we won’t be equipped to properly share the gospel with others. A wrong view of God can distort our prayer, our worship, our representation of Him, and our obedience to Him. We would be doing a disservice to others around us if we spoke wrongly about God, lived or acted wrongly, and misinterpreted His word.
If we wrestle with this, it is a sobering thought, but let me encourage you. All believers should have a genuine and devoted desire to know the truth about God so that we can see and experience the fullness of how He works. We can have a faith just like Job displayed in chapter one, and in that faith we can assist others to have the same. We can stand firm when trials and persecution come. We can enjoy the hope and peace the scripture promises to us. We can be united despite our differences, our backgrounds, or past history. And I think one of the most important aspects is that God can use us to help others come to saving faith through a faithful and truthful teaching of God’s word and a clear and effective presentation of the gospel.
Unlike Job’s useless friends who discouraged him in his time of greatest need and spoke wrongly about God, we can be an encouragement to those around us because being sanctified in truth we become a reflection of Christ to those around us in all areas of life and in that speak truthfully about Him.
So as we reflect on our duty to live like Christ to others and share Christ with others, let us always be in humble pursuit of the truth as given to us through His word, by the power of His Spirit, so we can speak rightly of Him. May we be vigilant against deception, ignorance, and error so we can be fully equipped for His good work. It is in that pursuit that He will use us to point others to Him, whereby will rejoice exceedingly in the salvation and sanctification of one another.
“Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
