Job's Friends Round #1

We are in a great spiritual conflict, over and over called a "war": II Cor. 10;3,4; I Timothy 1:18; Romans 7:23; I Peter 2:11...

That we are told of both "the wiles of the devil" and the astonishingly altering power of sin means we really, really need wisdom. Every person we meet will spend eternity somewhere.

In the end "it will be well with the righteous" ( Isaiah 3:9; James 5:10,11), but the pilgrimage includes great trials.

I. A friendly diagnosis that misses the mark is not helpful.

II. A correct diagnosis for the wrong person makes things worse not better.

Conclusions:

1. You have an advocate. Use Him and His righteousness.

2. Be careful about assuming conclusions without adequate basis.

3. Realize that some things we are simply not meant to know now but we will know later.

4. We are probably considerably less righteous practically speaking than we think we are ( II Samuel 5--more wives-- II Samuel 6--moving the ark of the covenant on a new ox cart?).

Pray therefore according to good advice: "That which I see not teach thou me. If I have done iniquity I will do it no more" (Job 34:32).