JOB 16:1-4 – Then Job answered and said: “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? I also could speak as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you.”
THEME OF THE DAY: BEING A WISE COUNSELOR. Job has heard enough. By the time we arrive to the point in the book of Job of today’s scripture, his friends have given him a ton of correction, rebuke, and advice. Job would call what they told him “windy words” and without an end. What may we learn from this account in our relationships with other believers? Many, but let’s look at two; one from Job and the other from his friends.
First, Job. Here we observe a hurting believer – emotionally, spiritually, and physically. He is suffering and doesn’t know why. If ever there was a bruised reed and smoldering wick type of believer, it is Job. What does he need? What would be best for this broken man? Love; a love that bears all things, hope all things, endures all things, and carries his burden (1 Corinthians 13:4-8; Galatians 6:2). To be like Christ and minister like Christ, we must have the heart of Christ toward people, and especially hurting people. And what type of Christian has the heart of Christ to minister like Christ? The Apostle Paul defines him or her – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). The Christian living out the Fruit of the Spirit will be Christ-like and respond to hurting people out of that likeness.
Next, the lesson from Job’s friends. It is not difficult to see but difficult to practice, especially if we are an individual prone to talk a lot, always feel compelled to voice an opinion, and just cannot restrain the tongue. Here is the application. We don’t have to speak a lot to be an effective and wise counselor. In fact, we won’t be an effective and wise counselor if we must talk a lot. In the scripture, speaking many words is not a sign of good advice. Doing so opens the door to much sin – When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent (Proverbs 10:19).
As we are called to minister to others in the body of Christ, it will require discernment when it comes to speaking to other believers in need of our ministry. This discernment should become a prayer that looks to the Lord pleading, “Father, give me wisdom in my desire to help Your sheep by knowing what to say, when to say it, and how to say it.”
PRAYER: “Father, help me to see being a wise counselor doesn’t mean speaking a lot of words.”
QUOTE: “Speaking many words is not always giving wise advice.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim