Spiritual Arrogance

Having heard of the tragedies Job experienced, his friends came to comfort him and express their sympathy. When they saw him for the first time, they were shocked and began to weep. Overwhelmed with emotion, no one spoke for seven days.

After Job broke the silence, Eliphaz became the first friend to speak. Like the others, Eliphaz initially might have been motivated by comfort and sympathy, but these feelings seem strangely absent from their words. In fact, their comments seem to have been spoken out of a spirit of spiritual arrogance.

Each friend provided a confident analysis of Job’s condition, complete with explanations of why he had suffered. How he had been wrong. Why God had acted. And what he needed to do to be restored. To Eliphaz it seemed obvious. Job must have been punished for committing sins.

Job continually was puzzled, frustrated, and even angered by their accusations. He described them as “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2). In spite of their confidence, their conclusions had been wrong. God was displeased, and His “wrath” was kindled against them (Job 42:7-8).

Through this process, Job realized he had much to learn about God, and the importance of humility. How “insignificant he was” (Job 40:3-5). How he had said things he “did not understand.” How he needed to repent and humble himself (Job 42:3-6).

These confirm Biblical principles that tell us that God hates pride (Proverbs 8:13). That humility is necessary to being His servant (1 Peter 5:6). That we should be very careful before presuming to speak for Him.

In your life, be on guard against spiritual arrogance. Seek to stay humble before God. A person of prayer, constantly meditating on His Word. Always sensitive to His Spirit. Careful to seek His will.