Have you ever met one of those people who knows it all and loves to tell everyone about it? They always insert their opinion when it is not asked for. They are wise in their own eyes. It is hard to be around them let alone have them as friends. What makes it even tougher is when you are going through a difficult time these people always show up with their opinion of why things are going wrong and what you should do to make it better. That is no more apparent than with Job. Poor guy was going through a rough patch, and three of his friends show up all full of bad advice.
Job 12:2-3
Doubtless you are the only people who matter, and wisdom will die with you! But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these things?
Consider the Source
Job is being tested by Satan and his friends come to tell him all of his problems are because of his sin. They point out all of his flaws and shortcomings. We all have friends like this. Their opinion is the only one that matters, and they are experts in everything. When we are going through hard times, it is tough to handle these people. Job doesn’t back down from them. Look at his reply. “You are the only people who matter and wisdom will die with you.” Essentially what Job is saying is that they think they know it all and everyone else is wrong.
Beware of Bad Advice
Job’s trust in the Lord never wavered. He saw through his friend’s advice because his heart was fixed on pleasing God and not being approved by his friends. Beware this is a dangerous trap that we can fall into if we want approval from others. People will criticize you when you walk your own path. They will try to manipulate you into following them. Stand firm and wait on the Lord. Eventually, those friends will implode and fade away.
Trust in the Lord
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all of your ways, and he will make your paths straight.” There is a lot of wisdom packed in passage. Trusting and leaning on the Lord is so hard sometimes. It is natural for us to lean on our own understanding or the wisdom of others. Take a lesson from Job and put your full trust in the Lord.