Innocent

You’re not as innocent as you think you are, but neither was Job. Learn from his humble confession.

“Far be it from me that I should declare you right; until I die, I will not give up my integrity.”—Job 27:5 NASB

Job felt compelled to defend himself. He told his friends, “I will never concede that you are right; I will defend my integrity until I die” (NLT). Throughout this process, God made it clear that “Job did not sin.” He was “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil” (Job 1:1, 22). Nonetheless, Job had much to learn about himself and God.

After receiving a personal revelation from God, Job realized how wrong he had been. He confessed, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent sitting on dust and ashes” (Job 42:5–6). Job had become wiser and humbler during his time of testing.

How easily we can see life from our own limited perspective and conclude that we’re completely innocent! Too often, we trust in ourselves and refuse to recognize that we’re wrong in our viewpoints or that we have committed sins. Although we may feel innocent and others may consider us a good person, in God’s sight “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isaiah 64:6).

We must come to the point of depending on God rather than trusting in our own abilities, talents, or accomplishments. Even when we think we’re right and innocent, God is still working to root out sin from our lives.

Humble yourself before God and depend on His strength, wisdom, power, and righteousness.

Reflection Question: What happens when you are tempted to trust your own abilities?