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This morning I was pondering Elihu's speech to Job.
In the beginning he talks about his words being like
'bottled up wine'....
Like new wineskins.... ready to burst open 32:18, 19

and later on he states that his 'words come from an upright heart'
God's spirit is giving him breath... 33:3,4
and
'Be assured that my words are not false...
One perfect in knowledge is with you.' 36:4

Whoa... that's pretty strong confidence....

Hmm...
Something a little off there....

and reading the rest of the book we find out God is not particularly pleased with any of Job's 'friends'...  Elihu included...

The thing that catches my attention
is that
I sometimes feel the same way...

Words inside that have to be said..
No one else seems to have a grasp of the truth like I do...
Everyone needs to hear this....
God has shown me...

Oh, I would probably never say that...
but it still goes on inside....

Hmm...

So am I 'off'?
or ON?

Am I a Elihu?
or a discerning disciple of Jesus?
and how can I tell?

A scripture from Hebrews 5 comes to mind;
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers,
you need someone to teach you again
the basic principles of the oracles of God.
You need milk, not solid food,
13 for everyone who lives on milk
is unskilled in the word of righteousness,
since he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature,
for those who have their powers of discernment
trained by constant practice
to distinguish good from evil.

constant practice...
trained....

and the nature of training and practice
is that whatever is being worked on
is not done well
at the beginning

and that should require me to have
a healthy dose of humility
especially
after I think I 'have it down'....

Lord,
Thank You for training
and teaching
and helping me grow in discernment.

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit
speaking to my heart

and the warning to carry humility
into every conversation.

Yes Lord,

PJ