Devotion 468

“Opinion”

Reference: Job Chapter 32

Man has opinion, and God has His Word.

If a thought, plan, or word does not line up with the Word of God, it’s simply an opinion.

The Word of God is inspired. An opinion is not inspired.

An opinion may be wonderful and helpful but only for the moment. The Word of God on the contrary is not just good for a moment but will elicit the same inspiration in different moments.

If I write you a letter, it will be good for the moment but will not be useful ten years later but the Word of God is just as useful today as it was when Moses put the first Word to paper.

Elihu, an accuser of Job, presents his opinion.

Let’s read:

Job 32:1-2 “So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. [2] Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God.”

An opinion out of anger is not of God.

James 1:19 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

Elihu had an opinion about Job, God has His Word about Job. They were different.

It’s not what we say or think about people, it’s what God knows about them, and what His Word says about them.

We continue our reading:

Job 32:3-6 “Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. [4] Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he. [5] When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, then his wrath was kindled. [6] And Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered and said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion.”

Wisdom does not come with age. Wisdom is the Word of God. Wisdom is God in us.

We continue our reading:

Job 32:7-19 “I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. [8] But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. [9] Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. [10] Therefore I said, Hearken to me; I also will shew mine opinion. [11] Behold, I waited for your words; I gave ear to your reasons, whilst ye searched out what to say. [12] Yea, I attended unto you, and, behold, there was none of you that convinced Job, or that answered his words: [13] Lest ye should say, We have found out wisdom: God thrusteth him down, not man. [14] Now he hath not directed his words against me: neither will I answer him with your speeches. [15] They were amazed, they answered no more: they left off speaking. [16] When I had waited, (for they spake not, but stood still, and answered no more;) [17] I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion. [18] For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. [19] Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.”

There are one of two spirits in a man or woman. Either the Spirit of God or the spirit of Satan the accuser.

Elihu has the spirit of the accuser.

We conclude our reading:

Job 32:20-22 “I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer. [21] Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man. [22] For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.”

.Opinion will not last.

Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

It’s not the opinion of man but the Word of God that is life.

Let our opinions be replaced with the Word of God. BELIEVE and confess Christ the Word as we’ve revealed Him from the First Adam. God’s Word is not an opinion but life, in Christ!