Little Satans

Sermon Follow Up

Summary

Careful attention to the dialogues of Job 4–14 exposes Job’s friends as accusers who perpetuate Satan’s accusations from chapters 1 and 2. The friends ought to be seen as little satans pressuring Job in much the same way Satan tempted Jesus—with enough truth on their lips to make their words seem plausible. Job’s situation illustrates the limits of Wisdom 101: knowing true principles is not enough; we need wisdom to apply them faithfully. Growing in wisdom means remaining open to genuine correction while refusing to confess wrongdoing simply to appease our accusers (Job 6:24).

Discussion/Reflection Material

• Do you think Job’s friends recognized how their counsel was harming him? How might sincere religious convictions lead us to participate in the accuser’s work?

• Job’s friends had a tidy theological system for understanding suffering: when bad things happen to you, it’s because you did something bad. They were unwilling to reexamine their thinking, so they forced God and Job into their system, speaking falsely about both to maintain their worldview (Job 13:4–10; 42:7). Can you think of examples in our culture, your church experience, or your personal life that resonate with their instinct?

• Job was humble enough to look arrogant, yet willing to receive correction (Job 6:24). What distinguishes that posture from stubbornness? Where might you need both teachability and conviction?

Family-friendly Version

Big Idea: Sometimes doing the right thing can make your relationships more challenging.

Talk about it: If someone says you’ve done something wrong, listen carefully. If they’re right, admit it and ask forgiveness. If you don’t understand, ask them to explain. But don’t say you did something wrong just to make someone happy. Would you tell the truth kindly even if your friends remained upset?