Job 15

“Why does your heart carry you away, and why do your eyes flash, that you turn your spirit against God and bring such words out of your mouth?” (Job 15:12–13, ESV)

In his despondency, Job concludes that God is against him. In bitterness of soul he complains to God. Now Eliphaz delivers his second speech, accusing Job of being a wind bag. Job’s talk is unprofitable. He casts off the fear of God and hinders meditation and devotion before Him (v. 4). Job’s own heart carries him away so that his spirit turns against God.

Job was not alone in thinking that God was against him. Many people have drawn the same conclusion. They are bitter with life’s circumstances and blame God for them. Their spirit has turned against God, and their words reflect the condition of their heart.

The problem is that everyone suffers from heart disease.

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” (Jeremiah 17:9, NLT)

We cannot trust our heart because it lies to us. It makes false assumptions based on inadequate evidence. It chooses a path that feels right in the moment but ends in sorrow.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12, NKJV)

There is only one solution:

“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10, NIV)

We must have the light of God to illuminate the heart. None of Job’s friends were able to convince him that he was wrong, but God would do it in a moment (Job 38:1-2; 40:3-5). We need God to search our hearts with the lamp of His Word. Our foolish thoughts and words will blow away like chaff in the wind. Then only the truth about God’s character and ways will remain. We will see ourselves for who we really are. Our self-righteousness will disintegrate, and we will loathe ourselves and shut our mouths.

Do not be carried away by your own deceitful heart but invite God to search it today.