That’s the question Mrs. Job asked her husband in Job chapter 2 after they had lost everything but their lives. She saw no reason to continue trusting God. Yet, Satan had spared her the agony he had inflicted on Job. I wonder why? Job’s answer was critical to his recovery, and showed the depth of his character in his relationship to God. I haven’t always had the proper response in the things I’ve faced, so I’m eternally grateful to God for His mercy towards me.
LIFE will mature us. I wrote earlier about the NEVERS. We never know how we will respond until we’re face to face with life’s realities. Peter just knew he’d Never deny the Lord, the others never thought they’d abandon Him. Job never knew what he was made of until he faced the greatest test of his life. But LIFE matures us. We will all face moments when our integrity will be tested. And the test does not discriminate between saint or sinner. Integrity is the gold standard of every life. God desires that we all pass the integrity test. It builds character and trust, not only in us, but in those who depend on us.
The little white lie, what I’m doing only affects me, no one will even miss it, they have what I want, I’ll put it back, the embellished resume, the late payments, the broken promises, the tardiness, the test marriage,cutting corners, no one will ever know, these are just some of the integrity stealers the enemy peddles to us. He knows that sooner than later these little seemingly innocent things will ruin us in the eyes of God and man. Maintaining our integrity in these moments of testing, requires more than self control, it requires Holy Spirit intervention. The flesh which is controlled by Satan, always wants to gratify itself. The flesh doesn’t ever want to be denied. It’s a battle we must win at all costs. The best way to describe it is PRIDE. When we call it what it is we can overcome it. Pride is at the root of the things I mentioned in this paragraph.
The Bible says pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Pride leads the way to destruction. That sounds like Satan to me. The same one Jesus called the thief. He wants us ruined before we can even get to the destiny God has for us. But I’ve learned after years of trying to do things my way, that God will keep those who desire to be kept. Almost isn’t good enough. I’ve encouraged my children to walk in integrity during their courting experience. Maintain integrity throughout. Almost isn’t good enough. Finish the race strong. Submit the relationship to the God who keeps us. Avoid the little foxes. The seemingly innocent acts. Never buy into the lie that I’m strong enough as a Christian to walk away from whatever. Don’t do the self test, maintain your integrity.
The question of Mrs. Job was coming from a place of her own hurt. But Job’s response gave him the courage to go through the fire and maintain his integrity before the so called religious support that showed up disguised as comforters. Be careful of the advise you receive by well intentioned friends. Friends who want to share their own personal experiences about what you’re facing, even though they have never walked in your shoes. People who always want to know how you’re doing- How in this “anything goes” culture you’re maintaining your integrity. You’re still trusting God? You still believe He can do? He can meet? He can keep? He can heal? He can sustain? He can provide? You still think God is going to find you a mate? After all, this is the 21st century. We woke! You still a virgin? Girl/boy what’s wrong with you? You don’t have no feelings? I could never! Maintain your integrity! Those are messengers of Satan sent to steal your future and to take you off course.
Job had no control over what happened to him, but he maintained his integrity. We don’t determine the testing but we can maintain our integrity. To do anything less is to follow Mrs. Job’s advice and curse God. So is your integrity being tested? Are you being pressured into giving up your integrity or your faith in God? Don’t fall for the lies. Everything done in secret will eventually be exposed by the Light. Job got a double reward and you will too. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledging Him, and He will direct your path. We are instructed to guard our hearts, because all the issues of life, the decisions we make flow from it. You’ll never know what you’re made of until you go through the the test.
Scripture References: Job 2:9-10; Luke 22:54-62; Mark 14:50; Philippians 3:1-4; Proverbs 6:31;
1 Corinthians 10:13; Proverbs 16:18; John 10:10; Proverbs 3:5-6; Ephesians 5:13; Ephesians 6:12; Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 9; Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 43:2; Hebrews 4:13; Job 42:10
Father in the Name of Jesus
We confess that we struggle with maintaining our integrity in this anything goes culture. We acknowledge that we’re not strong enough to overcome the enemy’s tricks without You. Help us live so close to Your heart that we are able to withstand every temptation and test that comes our way. We give heed to Your written Word like Jesus did so it will become the sword in our mouths against the lies of the devil. Thank you for being our present Help. In Jesus Name. Amen
“So don’t lose your bold, courageous faith, for you are destined for a great reward! You need the strength of endurance to reveal the poetry of God’s will and then you receive the promise in full.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 TPT
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant