Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Job 2:3 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Job 2:3 The LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered and reflected on My servant Job? For there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God [with reverence] and abstains from and turns away from evil [because he honors God]. And still he maintains and holds tightly to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to destroy him without cause." |
Bible Question:
My brothers and sisters, I am dealing with a situation here at home and was thinking someone could recomend a good study on personal integrity. Always your brother, lionheart |
Bible Answer: Dear Brother Lionheart, The issue of "personal integrity" is a pretty broad one. I'm also not so certain that a person who could be described as having integrity would necessarily even be conscious of behaving in a certain way. In fact, the more I think of it, the less I think it can be taught. Frankly, I get very uneasy with the "five keys to living" or "freedom in ten easy steps" or "three secrets to whatever" or "your personal guide to fill-in-the-blank." All of those things, if you will excuse me, "are from the pit and smell like smoke" (as Steve Brown is wont to say). There are no keys, steps, secrets, or gurus. As a matter of fact, I think that is why Christ so explicitly states that no one has a corner on the spiritual market. "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." (Matthew 23:8-10) You see, any other choice is denigrating the awesome gifts that God has given us. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32) The gifts He has given us include the Word, regeneration, the Holy Spirit, brethren, the local church, etc. etc. Growth in holiness (integrity and other virtues) only takes place over time by the grace of God. Grace abounds to us as we engage in the means of grace: Bible study, prayer, meditation, being taught by the preaching of the Word, worship with other believers, and fellowship with other believers. The more we involve ourselves in these things, the more God's grace abounds to us. I'll continue on my soap box: I strongly believe that a changed life comes only out of knowing Christ in a deeply, intimate, and personal way. Exposure to Him always "rubs off." I'd even be so bold as to affirm that if a person is not growing in holiness nor has a desire to grow in holiness, then that person does not know the Lord. Of course, I know you would agree that seeking any kind of improvements in life without Christ is a pointless and futile exercise. Now, all that written, I believe that issues like personal integrity come up when one gets into the presence of the Lord. Over and over in Scripture we see that reaction of "Woe is me, for I am undone!" A true exposure to the our Holy God always brings a vivid recognition of our own sinfulness... always. The Word is "the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience." Your charge who needs to learn about personal integrity needs to know the One who is the perfect standard of all integrity. Well, I probably haven't helped you much... sorry, brother. In Him, Doc |