Job 31, Luke 20
Job gives his final plea. We know from Job 1 that he was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
Whenever I got into trouble in middle school, the principal sent home a pink slip for my parents to sign, which I had to return the next day. The school suspended any student who received seven pink slips. Well, I found my mom’s canceled checks with her signature, which looked like calligraphy. And would trace that on to the pink slips. I didn’t keep track of how many pink slips I had. Math was never my strong point. Well, the office called my mom to inform her of my suspension. And she didn’t have a clue. But she clued me into what pain was like, and that ended my career as a forger. Oh, if I only had had a sliver of integrity and stayed away from evil, I could have avoided a lot of pain for me and others. I thank God for his forgiveness, grace, and mercy. I’m also thankful that my parents forgave me for their premature gray hairs.
Job lived with complete integrity; he cared for people in need and helped widows. Man, that is a big difference between him and the “religious leaders” Christ talks about in Luke 20:47. They cheated widows and pretended to be pious. Reflecting on these challenges us to discern genuine integrity from fake, demanding a more genuine faith journey.
Job’s life prompts me to evaluate my own path. As I reflect on Job’s unwavering commitment, I find myself asking: How do I avoid evil? While Job made a covenant not to look with lust at a young woman, in 31:1, and guarded his eyes, he knew his eye was like a lamp for his body. When I think about this, I am forced to examine my own choices. This leads me to reflect on my own exposure to evil influences. How can we block negative influences from our lives? Am I a poser, or am I authentic?
Some of the shows I’ve watched are full of evil, and I’ve binged-watched them. I brought this stuff into my home. Shows that endorse lust, violence, revenge, and probably worse. Shows that push lifestyles I wouldn’t want my kids participating in. I think I’m being called to fast television and movies, especially the modern stuff. Maybe if I want my walk to be authentic, like Job, I need to stay away from evil. Perhaps I need to make a covenant, a solemn promise to stop watching TV and movies. Giving up things I like is tough.
Father, help me not to be a poser, to have complete integrity. Help me not to copy the behavior and customs of this world, but transform me and change the way I think. Forgive me when I fall short, help me to pick up my cross and follow you daily.