When We Give Advice...

When we give advice, especially when we don’t have all the facts (we never will for we are not God), be very careful with your words. You may think they are necessary, but often they are not. It is better to put your arm around some one and say nothing, than open your mouth and try to help by using misapplied truth. I know, I find myself thinking it, and every so often letting it out. Here in Job chapter 15 we see Eliphaz doing this very thing. His words were very harsh, especially giving them to his suffering friend. He was trying to help, but in the wrong way. He’d been better off repeating the actions he displayed during his first week with Job. Even though he spoke truth, it didn’t apply specifically to Job. We all need to learn this lesson. Never step into the role of God, unless He specifically tells you to (which only happened once, it lasted 33 years and it saved the world). Our job is to comfort others, speak truth that edifies not condemns. Job had it right in the beginning of chapter 16. If the roles were reversed, he’d be trying encourage and try to take away their grief. This is the attitude we all should have. It’s what identifies the true believer from the pretenders.

1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: 2 “A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk!You are nothing but a windbag.3 The wise don’t engage in empty chatter.What good are such words?4 Have you no fear of God,no reverence for Him?5 Your sins are telling your mouth what to say.Your words are based on clever deception.6 Your own mouth condemns you, not I.Your own lips testify against you. 7 “Were you the first person ever born?Were you born before the hills were made?8 Were you listening at God’s secret council?Do you have a monopoly on wisdom?9 What do you know that we don’t?What do you understand that we do not?10 On our side are aged, gray-haired menmuch older than your father! 11 “Is God’s comfort too little for you?Is His gentle word not enough?12 What has taken away your reason?What has weakened your vision,13 that you turn against Godand say all these evil things?14 Can any mortal be pure?Can anyone born of a woman be just?15 Look, God does not even trust the angels.Even the heavens are not absolutely pure in His sight.16 How much less pure is a corrupt and sinful personwith a thirst for wickedness! Job 15:1-16

1 Then Job spoke again: 2 “I have heard all this before.What miserable comforters you are!3 Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air?What makes you keep on talking?4 I could say the same things if you were in my place.I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you.5 But if it were me, I would encourage you.I would try to take away your grief.6 Instead, I suffer if I defend myself,and I suffer no less if I refuse to speak. Job 16:1-6