It Ain't Easy
Part of True Grit
March 19, 2023

True Grit.jpg

The pressure to compromise our integrity is often intense. Sometimes it feels like we might lose everything and we wonder if it is really worth it. Maybe we should ask Job if it is worth it.

When have you felt like the whole world was against you?
What pressures does your generation have to deal with today?

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. —Job 1:1 (NLT)

Before we know anything about Job’s story, we get to know something about his character. He was a man of complete integrity.
What does it mean to be someone of “complete integrity”?

One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 7 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” 8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” —Job 1:6-8 (NLT)

Why do you think God calls Satan’s attention to Job?
Would you want God to do that with you? (Why or why not?)

Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” 12 “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. —Job 1:9-12 (NLT)

In what ways does Satan’s logic make sense?

Satan then tests the integrity of Job’s integrity.
How might Satan test our integrity in a similar fashion?

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God. —Job 1:20-22 (NLT)
His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong. —Job 2:9-10 (NLT)

How was Job able to respond this way?
Why would even Job’s wife encourage him to compromise his integrity?
What encouragement do you get from the story of Job?