Comfort and Edify One Another

 

 

Job 2-5

 

 

When three of Jobs friends heard of all that was going on in Jobs life, they set out to see him. They went to mourn with and comfort him.When they arrived they didn't even recognize Job. They raised up their voices and wept, tore their robes, and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. They could clearly see that his grief was great so they sat with him, in silence, for seven days.

Job was so distraught that he began to curse the day that he was born. He poured his heart out about the frustrations and grief that he was going through.

When he was finished, his friends all had something to say about his situation.

Today we're going to look at what Eliphaz had to say.

First, he told Job that his outburst was an embarrassment to himself because Job had always been the one of instruction, strength, and wisdom to all who were going through adversity, yet he himself didn't take his own advice, and was troubled because of his adversity.

 

So many Christians believe that if they are going through adversity that they should just keep their frustration and grief bottled up inside.

 After all, what would people think if they actually expressed their feelings?

 People don't want others to know what's going on in their lives because they fear judgement from others. That fear isn't from God.

 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

 

We are to share our lives with one another. When we do, it allows them a chance to use the gifts the Lord has given to them, as well as, brings hope to others.

Let me give you an example.

When I first started going to Calvary Chapel in Greer, SC, I felt as if I was the only one struggling with life. Every time I saw the ladies at the church, I would become more and more discouraged, because I thought that they had it all together. Honestly, I felt as if I didn't belong. That time of year came when it was time for the Ladies Retreat. I was being encouraged to go, but I really didn't want to because my life was a mess. With much thought and a bit of pressure, I decided to go. I still was nervous though.

That was one of  the BEST things I've ever done!!

While I was there, I began sharing things about my life with some of the women, and, you know what? Some of them were going through or had gone through exactly what I was. The ones who had already been there, encouraged me and gave me hope that things would change. Those of us going through the same things, at present, developed a bond, enabling us to share our thoughts, feelings,etc, encourage, and love on each other.

You see, sharing your frustrations and grief doesn't make you less of a Christian.

God uses each of our circumstances to not only strengthen our faith, but to help others through their own circumstances. There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting people know your frustrations and griefs. So don't let anyone tell you anything different.

As a part of the body of Christ we are one in Christ. We are to love and encourage one another.

 

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

 1Thessalonians 5:11

 

 

If that wasn't bad enough, Eliphaz then told Job that he had a vision in the night, where a spirit told him that Job was going through all that he was because of his sin, that he needed to repent, and then God would heal, bring prosperity, and long life to him.

This spirit was deceiving Eliphaz. This spirit was to discourage and frustrate Job even more than he already was, so he would curse God, but Eliphaz did not test the spirit, as we are all supposed to.

 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

 

The Proof

The spirit brought fear and trembling (v14)
As we know, God has not given us a spirit of fear.

Even God recognized Job as blameless and upright.

Jobs life demonstrated who he was and for whom he was living.

In no way did Jobs life demonstrate that he was, or thought he was, more righteous or more pure  than God, which the spirit implied. (v 17)

Do you see it?

 

One thing I want to make very clear is this....

Just because someone is going through adversity doesn't mean it's because of sin in their lives.

Job was blameless, yet the Lord gave satan permission to do these things to him to prove his faith and to bring glory to Himself.

So, when you see someone going through adversity, don't be quick to judge why, instead, pray for, encourage, comfort, and love on them.

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16