Whenever we try to counsel the world without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we get it so terribly wrong. That is also true when we seek counsel. Often our would be counselors can get it so wrong. We hear so much noise surrounding us from the some much media. All are advising us on how to make the next decision or which direction our lives should go. But how do we know what counsel is true and what counsel is terribly wrong. Perhaps as we look at Job’s friends, we can learn from their failures. After all, they drove Job farther away from God’s truth and deeper into despair. This despite their using theology as their supposed truth. Falling short of real truth, they exchanged Godly truth for a lie wrapped in the appearance of virtue. Is that not what we so often see today?

JOB’S COUNSELORS SO TERRIBLY WRONG

Each of his friends approached the situation with words they felt were helpful; but only drove Job farther away from the truth of God’s essence and Glory. This being the case until Elihu who finally spoke with both grace and humility.  As we explore the words of the counselors as well as the response of Job, let us learn ourselves not to lean on our own understanding concerning the tragedies that befall this earth including the suffering of brothers and sisters in Christ.  Rather than to get it so terribly wrong, let us seek understanding through the Holy Spirit’s comforting truth.   

Here in the book of Job we do see the stark contrast of human counselors with that of The Comforter.  We can, like Elihu surrender our hearts and minds humbly to the Holy Spirit within us that He may guide us to display the truth of God’s character.  Or we can like Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar get it so terribly wrong. Unlike these counselors of old, we have the distinct privilege of being indwelt by the Holy Spirit always.  If only we would learn to surrender all to Him. 

I Corinthians 1(NET):³ Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble^[c] with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow^[f toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you.

What was so Terribly Wrong with what Eliphaz spoke?

Job suddenly after a week of silence spoke forth bemoaning the day that he was born.  Forgetting about all the good that had happened, much like Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life”, Job forgot all about the goodness of God that had been bestowed on him.  In a sense, the uplifting strength of the truth that “God giveth and God taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord” had faded in Job’s own despair.  As his eyes turned away from God to look upon his current suffering, Job lost sight of his only true hope.

This is where Eliphaz broke into the conversation.  Based upon his own observations of life and visons, he began with both flattery and accusation at the same time.  To paraphrase:  “Oh, you who have comforted so many; yet, cannot comfort yourself”. Eliphaz’s style was that of the Intellectual Authoritarian who believes himself to be the virtuous one who can declare what is right and wrong for everyone–the aristocratic elite.

Job 4 (NET)

Call to mind now
Who being innocent, ever perished?
And where were upright people^[w] ever destroyed?
⁸ Even as I have seen, those who plow^[z] iniquity
and those who sow trouble reap the same
⁹ By the breath of God they perish,
and by the blast of his anger they are consumed.

Therefore, Job you must be guilty of some terrible sin.  Here stood Eliphaz confronting Job of wrongdoing without any proof.  Indeed, was Eliphaz somewhat self-exalting to be dare accuse this man who was known for his integrity?  Before this, Job had been known by all as the most Godly man on earth.  Was Eliphaz elated to be able to accuse him now of being “not so Godly, after all”. 

How often is that the case among would-be Christian counselors within our churches today?  And certainly we see it among our leaders who accuse others of the very things they do by twisting the truth and speaking with such eloquence and virtue signaling, though laced with lies.

An Appeal to the Supernatural

Eliphaz then tries to add further weight to his speech by describing a vision he had while sleeping. 

Job 4 (NET)

“Now a word was stealthily brought to me,
and my ear caught a whisper  of it.
¹³ In the troubling thoughts  of the dreams^[ in the night
when a deep sleep falls on men,
¹⁴ dread  gripped me and trembling,
which made all my bones shake.
¹⁵ Then a breath of air^[av] passes^[ by my face;
it makes  the hair of my flesh stand up.
¹⁶ It stands still,
but I cannot recognize its appearance;
an image is before my eyes,
and I hear a murmuring voice:

¹⁷ ‘Is a mortal man  righteous before God?
Or a man pure before his Creator?
¹⁸ If  God puts no trust in  his servants
and attributes^[bl] folly to his angels,
¹⁹ how much more to those who live in houses of clay,
whose foundation is in the dust,
who are crushed like a moth?
²⁰ They are destroyed between morning and evening
they perish forever^[bs] without anyone regarding it
²¹ Is not their excess wealth taken away from them?
They die yet without attaining wisdom.

In other words.  Job, everyone has sinned.  So just publicly proclaim your sin right now before God and us, so you can possibly be restored.  Let us hear all the details of your sin.  Confess it now. 

Comforters gone amuck and terribly wrong.

Eliphaz did not stop there but went on to imply that Job’s children died because of his sin.  All this came as judgement from God for whatever act of disobedience Job had committed against God.

Job 5 (NET) “Call now!  Is there anyone who will answer you?

To which of the holy ones will you turn?
² For wrath kills the foolish person
and anger slays the silly one.
³ I^, myself, have seen the fool taking root,
but suddenly I cursed his place of residence
⁴ His children are far from safety,
and they are crushed at the place where judgment is rendered
nor is there anyone to deliver them.

Essentially Eliphaz was saying, “No one can help you until you acknowledge your terrible sin.  This is all your fault because God is just and would not allow all this unless you had sinned horrendously against Him.  If it were me, Job, I would seek God.”  As though Job had not been. 

And to this Job replied with even greater anguish.  For the life of himself, he could not see beyond the depth of his pain and suffering.  Even worse, he knew that God IS Sovereign.   He must have been the one who sent such agony.  But why?  Job wondered what possibly his crime was to deserve this?     

Spiraling downward Eliphaz was terribly wrong.

As Eliphaz later speaks it becomes clear that his is a totalitarian ideology.  What I say is true.  Your punishment fits the crime.  Therefore, you must have committed a crime and you must confess that crime now to be relieved of your agony.  “You are a blustering wind bag Job with no knowledge” (Job 15). 

By his third speech (Job22), Eliphaz made up lies against Job with false accusations of great crimes never committed—just to prove himself right in the eyes of the others.  Typical authoritarianism which grows in its desire to appear wise and good, so lies become the means of arrival with the end justifying the means.  Perhaps he thought Job would turn and confess what was his true crime in a fit of rage.  However, instead Job became outraged in his defense of himself to the point that he questioned whether God was just in His dealings with humanity. 

Job longed to see God; but had been driven to a place where he lost sight of where even to look for God. 

23 Then Job answered:

² “Even today my complaint is still bitter
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
³ O that I knew where I might find him,
that I could come to his place of residence!…

⁸ “If I go to the east, he is not there,
and to the west, yet I do not perceive him.
⁹ In the north when he is at work,
I do not see him;
when he turns to the south,
I see no trace of him.
¹⁰ But He knows the pathway that I take
……………………….
¹³ But he is unchangeable. Who can change him?
Whatever he has desired, he does.
¹⁴ For he fulfills his decree against me
and many such things are his plans
¹⁵ That is why I am terrified in his presence;
when I consider, I am afraid because of him.
¹⁶ Indeed, God has made my heart faint;^[
the Almighty has terrified me.
¹⁷ Yet I have not been silent because of the darkness,
because of the thick darkness
that covered my face.

Have you been there?  That place where the agony is so great you do not know where to turn.  You have forgotten that God is right there with you.  What you need is a real friend willing to stay beside you while gently reminding you that God IS wise, good and has a plan for your good.  But Job’s counselors were certainly not that kind. 

Bildad the Traditionalist—Human Thoughts of Wisdom, totally wrong

So, Bildad enters his first dialogue guns blazing!  As Job pleaded his case regarding his suffering, Bildad blasted into his speech with no empathy or grace.

Job 8: ² “How long will you speak these things,
seeing that the words of your mouth
are like a great wind?
³ Does God pervert justice?
Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?
⁴ If your children sinned against him,
he gave them over to the penalty^] of their sin….
⁸ “For inquire now of the former generation,and pay attention to the findings
of their ancestors.

In other words.  Job you are guilty, guilty, guilty.  If not, this would not have happened to you.  This is God’s wrath against you, look at the corridors of history.  Ah, but that is just it.  The corridors of history demonstrate God’s mercy on those who trust in Him by Grace Alone, through faith alone—not of works.  Adam sinned.  Yet God provided the means of salvation.  Sin filled life with grief and toil; but God did not abandon Adam.    So, Bildad as with all who turn to humanistic thinking, is terribly wrong.  Bildad like the other counselors only drove Job farther away from God.  Instead of turning Jobs eyes  to look to God, Bildad’s advice was  “look to the wisdom of ancestors.”

Bildad resumed after Job again pleaded to God to hear his cry.  

Job 15: ⁵ Your sin inspires your mouth;
you choose the language of the crafty.
⁶ Your own mouth condemns you, not I;
your own lips testify against you.
⁷ “Were you the first man ever born?

The harder they pushed; the louder Job protested. 

Then Bildad ends with the only thing everyone agreed on—God is powerful and holds dominion over everything. 

Zophar the legalist—was totally wrong.

Of all the counselors, Zophar was the briefest; yest he was harsh, accusatory, and ruthlessly judgmental.

He began with saying that Job was a bag of hot wind spewing mockeries against God and had to be rebuked.  At no point did Zophar show any empathy or compassion for the grief and suffering of Job.  Then he said, “Job 11²⁰ But the eyes of the wicked fail
and escape eludes them; their one hope is to breathe their last.”

In other words, Job your depression and desire to die are because of your wickedness.

Then when Zophar speaks the second time, he says,

Job 20:  “Surely you know^[i] that it has been from old,

ever since humankind was placed^[j] on the earth,
⁵ that the elation of the wicked is brief,^[k]
the joy of the godless^[l] lasts but a moment.^[m]
6 Even though his stature^[n] reaches to the heavens
and his head touches the clouds,
⁷ he will perish forever, like his own excrement;^[o

By this point these counselors of Job had been so concerned with their own ideologies they did not provide neither comfort nor guidance for Job to turn his eyes back to God.  What was true is that God is Sovereign, powerful and beyond reproach.  However, their delivery was so atrocious that even a good man like Job could not be drawn closer to God.  Instead he was driven into despair

What About Us?

This applies to each of us; both in our giving and receiving of counsel. Do not let worldly counsel drive you away from your only true counselor. Wisdom can only be found in God Alone. As you read and meditate upon His word, dying to self; you allow the Holy Spirit to take over as guide, counselor and teacher. Then, regardless of the circumstances you learn that God is always good. He is Sovereign, remaining on His throne.

His ways may not be yours; however, He knows always just how to take all this stuff and transform it into something beautiful in your life. He is guiding every step of your way. And when we get it terribly wrong, He is ever present in the heart of the believer to lead them to a closer walk with Him. The more we learn of Him, the more joyous our life becomes.

When God allowed Judah to be taken captive by the Babylonians, it was due to their own sin and rebellion against Him. Yet, Jeremiah wrote these words from God even prior to their captivity.

Jeremiah 28 NKJV

¹⁰ For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. ¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. ¹² Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity;

Let us always remember this too. It is more important that we grow in our knowledge of Him than our temporary comfort here on earth. WE are to be lights of hope to a world that is dying without Him. How can I do that unless I surrender to His will in every circumstance, trusting Him who loves me so much He is unwilling to leave me where He found me–lost and broken.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Can Wrong Application of Good Theology Actually Destroy Truth Sharing?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Photo by Luis Galvez on Unsplash

As we journey through this world, we are called upon first and foremost to be ambassadors for Christ.  Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Matthew 16:24).  Furthermore, He told them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16).  Yet, in a world broken by sin, how are we to help them believe?  How can we answer the question when tragedy strikes, “If God is good, how did He allow this?”  However, much theology we know, can wrong application of good theology destroy the sharing of truth in a manner which brings comfort, hope, and faith?  Will people come to believe by our testimony?

The book of Job brings to the forefront that very question.  How can a good God allow such suffering to befall one who is following Him?  It also presents a lot of good theology that is misused, misunderstood, and of no benefit in the situation at hand.  Usually, the case when we humans attempt to explain God from our own viewpoint.  This book also shows us how the approaches of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar drove Job farther away from truth and God. 

  Some of these friend’s theology was true; however, their wrong application of good theology drove Job farther from the place he needed to be to see God clearly.  Let us attempt to learn from their mistakes, for I fear I fall into their pitfalls too often myself. Good theology must come with humility and grace as God gives.

Furthermore, there are moments of great revelations also noted in the book of Job by Job himself amid his despair. Revelations that pointed us to Jesus Christ.

Declarations Of True Faith

When all the tragedies first befell him, Job responded with words of true faith.  Although, he did not fully understand why, he did recognize that everything had been a gift from God.  Therefore, it was God’s to take as well.   

“Naked^[cf] I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return there.^[cg] The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away.^[ch] May the name of the Lord^[ci] be blessed!” ²² In all this Job did not sin, nor did he charge God with moral impropriety.    Job 1: 21-22

 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? ^[c]Curse God and die!”¹⁰ But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.  Job 2:9-10

Yet, as the suffering continued, and all had forsaken him but these four friends who sat around him silent.  (For Elihu was present to listen to all the dissertation, though we know not when he arrived).  Did Job believe his faithfulness in the beginning would have gained a reprieve from the pain and suffering?  I know, I have believed that in the past, only to sink deeper into despair as the trial went on for a long time.  Was that Job? So, how did his good theology fall short of seeing God? Knowledge in the head does not always fill the heart with faith.

Falling into Deep Despair

In Job 3, he begins to speak of his despair, cursing the day he was born.  Listen to the depth of his anguish.   Yet, even in despair, he reveals glimpses of good theology, however with wrong application.

JOB 3 NET Why does God^[bu] give^[bv] light to one who is in misery,^[bw]
and life to those^[bx] whose soul is bitter,
²¹ to^[by] those who wait^[bz] for death that^[ca] does not come,
and search for it^[cb]
more than for hidden treasures,
²² who rejoice^[cc] even to jubilation,^[cd]
and are exultant^[ce] when^[cf] they find the grave?^[cg]

²³ Why is light given^[ch] to a man^[ci]
whose way is hidden,^[cj]
and whom God has hedged in?^[ck]
24 For my sighing comes in place of^[cl] my food,^[cm]
and my groanings^[cn] flow forth like water.^[co]
25 For the very thing I dreaded^[cp] has happened^[cq] to me,
and what I feared has come upon me.^[cr]
26 I have no ease,^[cs] I have no quietness;
I cannot rest;^[ct] turmoil has come upon me.”^[cu]

Note that he said, “Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden.  And whom God has hedged in?”  Job 3:23 

Here Job referenced being hedged in by God as something terrible.   However, note Satan had said in chapter one that Job was good only because God had placed a hedge around him.  He was hedged in by God’s wall of protection. 

David wrote in Psalms 139:4-6.

 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
⁵ You have ^[a]hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

What Job could not see was that God’s ultimate hedge of protection was ever present and God would bring an end to the suffering at the right moment in time.  God had a perfect plan, even when Job could not see.  For God knows all and sees the end at the same time as the beginning.  His goodness remains steadfast with mercy and grace beyond measure, while still remaining just and righteous in all that he does. 

8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.  Isaiah 55

Wrong application of good theology.

When his friends were accusing him of doing wrong, he answered,

Job 9:

“Truly I know it is so,
But how can a man be righteous before God?
³ If one wished to ^[a]contend with Him,
He could not answer Him one time out of a thousand.
⁴ God is wise in heart and mighty in strength.
Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered?

Yet, as time goes on and more accusations are raised by his friends against him, Job falters further from truth. Pride and self-defense begin to take their place in causing Jobs downward spiral away from truth.     

Job 13:

“Behold, my eye has seen all this,
My ear has heard and understood it.
² What you know, I also know;
I am not inferior to you.
³ But I would speak to the Almighty,
And I desire to reason with God.
⁴ But you forgers of lies,
You are all worthless physicians.
⁵ Oh, that you would be silent,
And it would be your wisdom!

All of this was true. It was Good Theology; however, Job’s heart was drifting into self focus, not God focus.

Yet, Even When Faltering, Job’s faith shown through at times.

Job 13: 15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
¹⁶ He also shall be my salvation,
For a hypocrite could not come before Him.

Job 19:

²⁵ For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
²⁶ And after my skin is ^[f]destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
²⁷ Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.

Job is overwhelmed with grief, and all he hears from these friends is that this must be his fault and his sin that has caused this.  This shows their lack of understanding as to whom God really is and how He shows Himself to His people. 

Amazing Grace, Job nearly saw down a corridor of time, proclaiming the truth of His redeemer who lives.  Jesus Christ is that redeemer and the mediator that Job had asked for in

ELIPHAZ-Good Theology? Wrong Application

Bases his ideas on “observation” and what he believes is spiritual illumination.

JOB 4:

⁷ “Remember now, who ever perished being innocent?
Or where were the upright ever cut off?
⁸ Even as I have seen,
Those who plow iniquity
And sow trouble reap the same.
⁹ By the blast of God they perish,
And by the breath of His anger they are consumed.
¹⁰ The roaring of the lion,
The voice of the fierce lion,
And the teeth of the young lions are broken.
¹¹ The old lion perishes for lack of prey,
And the cubs of the lioness are scattered.

¹² “Now a word was secretly brought to me,
And my ear received a whisper of it.
¹³ In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night,
When deep sleep falls on men,
¹⁴ Fear came upon me, and trembling,
Which made all my bones shake.
¹⁵ Then a spirit passed before my face;
The hair on my body stood up.

¹⁶ It stood still,
But I could not discern its appearance.
A form was before my eyes;
There was silence;
Then I heard a voice saying:
¹⁷ ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God?
Can a man be more pure than his Maker?
¹⁸ If He puts no trust in His servants,
If He charges His angels with error,
¹⁹ How much more those who dwell in houses of clay,
Whose foundation is in the dust,
Who are crushed before a moth?

Job 5:8 ⁸ “But as for me, I would seek God,
And to God I would commit my cause—

In other words, if it were me, I would seek God as though Job was not.

Note:  So self-absorbed, Eliphaz spoke with a wrong application of good theology which drove Job away from the truth. 

   BILDAD- Good Theology blended with human thought

Spoke with the wisdom of humanity, calling upon the ancient ideas of traditional thought. 

Job 8:

“How long will you speak these things,
And the words of your mouth be like a strong wind?
³ Does God subvert judgment?
Or does the Almighty pervert justice?
⁴ If your sons have sinned against Him,
He has cast them away ^[a]for their transgression.
⁵ If you would earnestly seek God
And make your supplication to the Almighty,
⁶ If you were pure and upright,
Surely now He would ^[b]awake for you,
And prosper your rightful dwelling place.

⁸ “For inquire now of the former^[w] generation,

and pay attention^[x] to the findings^[y]
of their ancestors;^[z]
9 For we were born yesterday^[aa] and do not have knowledge,
since our days on earth are but a shadow.^[ab]
10 Will they not^[ac] instruct you and^[ad] speak to you,
and bring forth words^[ae]
from their understanding?^[af]

The wisdom of man can never answer the whys of this universe.  Once more the wrong application of good theology blended with bad cannot help Job find the truth. 

 ZOPHAR-Good Theology? Maybe but wrongly used

Legalist and formalist—he had a certain amount of truth but had no right sense of God’s character at all.  He is the one who essentially says, “You must listen to me and do it my way or I’m done with you!”  Probably you have met some people like this.  Despite their own lack of understanding, they are so certain of themselves.  If anyone dares to disagree with them, their anger and scorn rises forth. 

Job 11:

Zophar says:

 “Should not the multitude of words be answered?
And should ^[a]a man full of talk be vindicated?
³ Should your empty talk make men ^[b]hold their peace?
And when you mock, should no one rebuke you?
⁴ For you have said,
‘My doctrine is pure,
And I am clean in your eyes.’
⁵ But oh, that God would speak,
And open His lips against you,
⁶ That He would show you the secrets of wisdom!
For they would double your prudence.
Know therefore that God ^[c]exacts from you
Less than your iniquity deserves.

It is true that Job was not perfect, nor did he have perfect understanding of God.  Yet, Zophar’s dogmatic application of legalism drove Job only to anger, which could not lead him to God. 

Elihu—we will look at next week with more details as to how to guide someone who is hurting.  May we learn to be true comforters who do not use wrong application of good theology. 

Finally on the scene of Job arrives one who speaks truth about God and prepares the way for Job to hear the voice of God speak to him. 

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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7 Key Principles to Bring You Peace, Knowing Satan’s Power Has Limits

How Can We Know God is Always Good?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New English Translation (NET)

NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2017 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

We battle not against flesh and blood, but against prinicipalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places Ephesians 6:7. Our ultimate victory against evil has been won by Jesus. This victory is ours, that is if we know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Yet, while on this earth until Jesus comes to reign, we still are in a battle against satan and his host of demons. However, we must not despair, knowing Satan’s power has limits. Therefore, as you adorn your spiritual armor remember these 7 Key Principles regarding this truth: Satan’s Power Has Limits.

1. Satan is Accountable to God

1.  Satan is accountable to God.  Regardless that he chooses to believe he can still outsmart God and has some chance of winning—he still must give an account of what he is doing to God.  ⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and ^[e]Satan also came among them. ⁷ And the Lord said to ^[f]Satan, “From where do you come?” So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”   Job 1:

2. Satan’s power has limits due to God’s Hedge of Protection

Satan’s power has limits and cannot go beyond the “hedge God places around his children”.  “Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Have You not ^[i]made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.”  Job 1:9-10.  This should be a comfort to us:

 Psalm 139: ⁵ You have ^[a]hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.

3. Satan is behind the evil of this earth and is restless

• Satan is behind the evil of this earth and is restless.  Note he is going to and fro throughout the earth.  But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.  There is no peace saith my God to the wicked.  (Isaiah 57: 20-21). He loves to create chaos, but he cannot cause one to do evil. That is the choice one makes. Satan can tempt and influence, but it is our human nature that desires to be independent of God–to rise above Him. Our desires are by nature self-exalting and self-fulfilling. Satan merely plays upon our sin filled human minds and hearts. Then we choose.

4. Satan’s Power has limits–he does not have divine powers.

• Satan Does not have Divine powers.  He is not omnipresent, omniscient, nor all powerful.  He cannot be all places at one time.  Nor can he read our minds.  Notice he was not aware of Job’s heart.  He truly believed that Job only obeyed God for what he could gain from God.

³⁷ “When there is famine in the land, pestilence or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers; when their enemy besieges them in the land of their ^[g]cities; whatever plague or whatever sickness there is;³⁸ whatever prayer, whatever supplication is made by anyone, or by all Your people Israel, when each one knows the plague of his own heart, and spreads out his hands toward this temple: ³⁹ then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men), ⁴⁰ that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You gave to our fathers. ( I Kings 8)Only God knows your innermost thoughts. Satan works off the principle of human nature and believes you want to be as he is.

5. Satan’s Power has limits. He must ask permission to sift a believer.

• Satan can do nothing against a believer without God’s permission.  Jesus told Peter, Satan has asked to sift you.  Satan meant to prove that Peter had no real faith; but Jesus told Peter, He had prayed for Him.  And WHEN he returned (not if)-WHEN he returned he would strengthen the brethern.  So true for you and I today.

^31 [a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. ³² But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22

6. Satan’s Power has limits: Duration is only as long as God has permitted.

• Satan has limited power as to the duration of our trial.  God allows the temptation only to go so far and uses it to bring us good ultimately. It is through our suffering that our hearts are purified. Just as when silver is purified, it is heated. then the Silversmith is able to remove the impurities until he sees his own reflection. Our trials are to transform us into the image of Jesus Christ and endure only as for Him to see His reflection in our hearts, minds and life.

¹² Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to ^[d]bear it. I Corinthians 10

Satan is a liar and a slanderer and Satan’s power has limits

• Satan is a liar and a slanderer.  The greatest desire of Satan is to destroy your testimony; but he cannot.  His power is limited by God and by your clinging to the rock that protects you. 

Psalm 37: ²³ The steps of a good man are ^[a]ordered by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

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How Can We Know God is Always Good?

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)

Photo by PH romao on Unsplash

            The Book of Job delves deeply into this very question.  How can we know God is always good?  Is He good when the storms rage within our hearts?  What about when everything we hold so dear is gone?  Loved ones die.  Financial disasters arise.  There are famines, hurricanes, terrorist attacks, and evil surrounding us.  Perhaps we want to run away from the very question because after all we too sometimes wonder.  Whether we say it out loud or not.  We wonder if God is always good.  Then we have the blend between heartache and despair creep into our very spirit and soul. That is the question we face as we explore the life of Job.  If God is always good, why did He allow Job to suffer so.  Was it good?  Deep in the heart of that answer, we find ourselves as well. 

            The very temptations that Satan placed before Eve was that.  He caused Eve first to question God’s goodness.  After all, would God not want her to have everything.  Was He not keeping the best from her?  Then here we have the book of Job.  It begins with Job being pronounced a righteous man before God.  Indeed, Job even made sacrifices in case one of his children forget to.  Was he perfectly righteous though?  Were there areas of his heart that did not fully know God as well as he thought he did?  So, the question arises.  If God is always good, would He not want as a priority for His children to know every aspect of His heart?  Knowing that the only absolute joy is the joy found in a relationship with Him, would He not out of love do whatever it takes to help His beloved child find that depth of joy?

But How Joy Out of Anguish?Proof God is always good

            Perhaps therein lies the greatest mystery of all.  If only we can grasp that and trust God no matter what presents, then we will have gained a glimpse into the Glorious, gracious, loving heart of God.  David wrote in Psalm 66:

Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth!
² Sing out the honor of His name;
Make His praise glorious.
³ Say to God,
“How awesome are Your works!
…

⁵ Come and see the works of God;
He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.
⁶ He turned the sea into dry land;
They went through the river on foot.
There we will rejoice in Him.
⁷ He rules by His power forever;
His eyes observe the nations;
Do not let the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah

⁸ Oh, bless our God, you peoples!
And make the voice of His praise to be heard,
⁹ Who keeps our soul among the living,
And does not allow our feet to ^[a]be moved.
¹⁰ For You, O God, have tested us;
You have refined us as silver is refined.
¹¹ You brought us into the net;
You laid affliction on our backs.
¹² You have caused men to ride over our heads;
We went through fire and through water;
But You brought us out to ^[b]rich fulfillment.

^…

²⁰ Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!

Or I Peter 4: 1-2,12-14

 Therefore, since Christ suffered ^[a]for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ² that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

¹² Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; ¹³ but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are ^[e]reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 

God is Always Good

As we begin Job, we see a scene played out in which Satan accuses Job of only doing what was right because of all that God gave him.  So, the question does arise in our lives as well,  “Can I serve God merely for who He is and not merely for the gifts He has bestowed on me or even the future gifts I await?  If there were no heaven or hell, would I serve Him because of who He IS. 

Theodore H. EPP wrote:

“It is well to note that in the Book of Job which deals with the purpose of suffering of the godly, such suffering is not imposed by a judge for wrongdoing on the part of the individual.  Nevertheless, it is suffering allowed to remedy something in the believer’s life.  It is not punishment, and yet it is designed to correct wrong.  It is not retribution for wrong done, but discipline to refine the life to where the likeness of Christ becomes clear….We do not have to know why trials come.  We just have to know that God is wise and knows what He is doing.  This is good for the present life and for the life that is to come.” 

James 5: (NET) ¹¹ Think of how we regard^[m] as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.^[n]

So, as we go forward in our study of Job, let us consider.  What is the Lord’s purpose? And how is that purpose full of compassion and mercy. 

JOB 1

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and ^[a]shunned evil.

Was Job perfect?  No, but he lived an exemplary life during his day.  We will even see further examples of this.   

 ² And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. ³ Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the ^[b]people of the East.

⁴ And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. ⁵ So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and ^[c]sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed^[d] God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.

Job reverently feared God as well, recognizing that the human hearts may have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. 

Satan Attacks Job’s Character

⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and ^[e]Satan also came among them. ⁷ And the Lord said to ^[f]Satan, “From where do you come?”

So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you ^[g]considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and ^[h]shuns evil?”

⁹ So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? ¹⁰ Have You not ^[i]made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. ¹¹ But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse^[j] You to Your face!”

¹² And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your ^[k]power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

What do we realize from this?

1.  God is Sovereign—Satan cannot usurp power over the Will of God. 
2. Therefore, in a sense, pain and sorrow comes from God because it is He who permits it—yet there is purpose when He allows it.  Like purpose when He allowed His Son to be hung upon the cross. 

Job Loses His Property and Children

¹³ Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; ¹⁴ and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, ¹⁵ when the ^[l]Sabeans ^[m]raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and ^[n]consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁸ While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, ¹⁹ and suddenly a great wind came from ^[o]across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

Everything he owned was taken away in one day.

How Did Job Respond? Confirming God is Always Good.

²⁰ Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

²² In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Concluding Thoughts: God is Always Good

It is not my place to question why so much as to trust in God’s wisdom. Throughout the years of my life, so much has happened. Yet, as I look back over the years, I can see clearly God is always good. He has taken the worst tragedies and used them to refine and bless me. I who deserved nothing, have been showered with His kindness. Most of all I have learned to know Him better each day. As such, I have come to realize He is my Joy, Hope and Love. Truly faith is knowing God IS and He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Every tear, sorrow and pain have lead me to this conclusion. As I lay aside all of me, He fills me with Himself. It is for that reason I sing, live, laugh and rejoice. Just to know Him and the power of His might in me.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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How to be Filled by Power from on High (the Holy Spirit)

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

Theodore H. Epp, Job A Man Tried as Gold, 1967

New King James Version (NKJV)

Photo courtesy of Dawid Zawila on Unsplash.com

More than ever, we need to be filled by the Power from on High (the Holy Spirit); but how can we when bombarded by so much pain, suffering and evil everyday?

Filled by Power from on High–the Promise

Jesus commissioned His disciples to ““Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ He who has believed [in Me] and has been baptized (by the Holy Spirit) will be saved [from the penalty of God’s wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned.” (Mark 16: 15 AMP).  After all, “Thus it is written, ^[l]and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day. ⁴⁷ That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47 NKJV). Just before ascending to the Father’s Right Hand He said. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the cityof Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49 NKJV).  The Holy Spirit, Your Comforter.

Unique to the church age is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every believer.  Eternally present from the moment of our first believing, we are fully endowed with the power from on high.  The Holy Spirit indwells us.  All who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior are sealed by Him in Christ for all of eternity.  This was the promise given in this the Church age.  Certainly, the work was the Holy Spirit was evident in the Old Testament.  There were some who were indwelt by the Spirit; but it was not the case of every believer.  This wondrous gift is unique to our present church age.  Why?  For the continuous outpouring of the truth of the gospel message to a world that is hell bent on denying God. 

The Promise of God:  The Power from on High (the Holy Spirit)

All too often, I fear we tend to brush aside the magnificence of the Holy Spirit’s part in the Godhead.  We want to categorize Him as though He is merely a servant of the Father and Son instead of His co-equal status.  Yes, His work is unique, just as Jesus’ work is unique. 

Jesus said in John 16.

⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.⁸ And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:⁹ Of sin, because they believe not on me;¹⁰ Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;¹¹ Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.¹² I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

¹³ Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.¹⁴ He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.¹⁵ All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

The Holy Spirit filling us with The Power from on High when we…

It is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sin, shows us Jesus.  Thereby, He also shows us the magnificent Glory of the Father as reflected through Jesus and Himself.  He is the essence of all that God is—sent forth to indwell every believer’s heart.  To guide us, teach us, and comfort us with the truth.  Still, He does not force us to be righteous.  He fills us to overflowing with His power, His love, and His joy; when we are willing to surrender and trust in God’s plan.  To understand His work in us, we must come to know these three distinct aspects of His work.

Three Tasks of the Holy Spirit

1.  He indwells every believer.  For all who accept Jesus Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit enters that believer’s heart.  This is the baptism of the Spirit.   Baptism meaning total immersion by Him—water baptism is only the outward profession of the true Baptism of the spirit.   Indeed, had we not felt the Spirit drawing us, we could have never come to believe in Him.  This indwelling of the Power from on High is not temporary.  Rather it is for all of eternity.  As such we are sealed by Him into the body of Christ.

• The filling of the Holy Spirit is another aspect of His work.  This does require our surrender to Him.  He does not force surrender; but soon we will find that true joy and happiness is found when we are fully surrendered and filled with the Holy Spirit.  For the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance Galatians 5:22-23

• His third aspect is outpouring.  Using our hands, mouths, and feet, He presents the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the rest of the world.  “Ephesians 2:¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.  Certainly, this is much easier when we are filled with Holy Spirit; but how?

How to Be Filled by Power on High to Overflowing Capacity

To be filled by the Holy Spirit means that the Holy Spirit controls the mind, the heart, and the body of the Christian.  The Greek lexicon give the definition concerning the word filled as to pervade, influence, and possess fully.  This is a step by step and moment by moment process.  It is a continuous action of surrender based on trust.  If indeed I understand who God IS and that all that He plans for me is good, then I will surrender all to Him.  Being controlled by the Spirit is not a result of our tears or agonizing sorrow.  It is fully submitting to His will, not mine. So, what is my part in this?  How can I surrender all?

Step 1: Sing Songs of Praise and Thanksgiving

¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of ^[f]God.  Ephesians 5.

Therefore, how do we do this?  By speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God.  When our minds focus on the goodness of God, our hearts sing forth with praise.  As we do this, keeping focus on Him, we are filled with the Holy Spirit.  We are endowed with power from on high to soar above the circumstances of life. 

Step #2:  Meditate upon His word day and night

Psalm 1:

Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ^[a]ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he ^[b]meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
Planted by the ^[c]rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

Step #3:  Repent quickly

When we sin, we confess our sins quickly to restore our relationship with the Holy Spirit.  This is an act of surrender to His will. 

⁹ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness  I John 1:9. 

Step 4:  Keep Focused on Him, for the Joy that is Set Before US

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the ^[a]author and ^[b]finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.   Hebrews 12:

¹⁶ Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. ¹⁸ But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as ^[b]by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3

Seek God Above All Else

In a World so filled with trials, fears and sorrows; never for get He is the answer your heart seeks. He is the love you long for. When He becomes all that you desire, you will discover He is all you ever needed. Endowed with His power from on High then run the race that was set before you with confidence. Knowing He will guide each and every step of the way. He is with you.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Poetry Books Available

If you enjoy poetry perhaps you would like to read more of my poetry in my newest book which can be found on Amazon

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How to Find Hope on the Road to Emmaus

Disclosures

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Credits

New King James Version (NKJV)