Job 42:7-10 says, “7And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job. 10And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

 

At the end of the story of Job, God came and spoke to one of those three friends, who was Eliphaz, and rebuked him, and described His anger against them all, because they spoke and thought evil against Job. After trying to “represent” God in their judgments, He now speaks to them and rebukes them. He instructed Eliphaz for Bildad, Zophar and he himself to offer up sacrifices and Job was to pray for them because he would accept the prayers of Job, His servant! Out of their “wisdom”, God called for their repentance and sacrifice. As a result of humbling their pride and obeying God, Job would pray for them, the very friends who accused him, and his captivity would be overturned. Job repented for his misunderstanding and blaming God, and he would now overcome every trouble he had been facing. In fact, he would finish with twice as much as he previously had, and he would go onto live a long, healthy and victorious life! Job 19:25 says, “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” Job already envisioned himself as being prosperous and fruitful again because he knew his redeemer was not dead, but alive and well, and since He owns the cattle of a thousand hills, he would buy back and restore everything he lost and some. God turned Job’s captivity into blessing after he prayed for those friends who had accused him. He could have pointed his finger at them, got mad and said, “I told you the entire time. You should have been listening to the Spirit of God.” Instead, he humbled himself and fulfilled the commands before Jesus ever gave them, which was, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” When someone tries to bind you up, bless them and pray for them. You will heap coals of fire upon their heads. When you stand faithful before God, he will stand faithful unto you! You will not have to defend your integrity. In fact, your integrity will always defend you.

 

Psalms 25:21 says, “Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.” Regardless of the life you choose to live, whether you are a sinner or a saint, a good person or a bad person, one who is moral or one who is immoral, people will attack your integrity. The higher you are placed on a pedestal, whether that is in church, business, government, school, athletics, etc., the greater the target you have on your back. The world loves to see people of a higher class and character fall, when they should hope for their success. Integrity is of significant wealth to every individual who has ever walked on this planet, and when it is damaged, it can take a lifetime to rebuild, if it can ever even arrive to that place. However, although people may gossip, start rumors and create lies on you to try to ruin your testimony and reputation, your integrity will sustain you all the way through those trials, troubles and tribulations. In other words, your integrity will defend you and win at the end! Several times do you read where Job “held fast to his integrity” because really that was all he had left. Reputation is how others perceive you. Integrity is how you perceive yourself, and a strong, preserving integrity is the primary result of character. Your reputation may be under attack, but your character is what will allow you to overcome every single time. Job’s friends tried to define Job’s character and attack his reputation, but his integrity paved the path for his success and victory at the end, receiving a blessed double portion of what he had originally lost. It is about holding fast to your integrity so that you integrity will preserve you!

 

If people are not careful, they can damage their own reputation by getting caught up in the land of “dramaville” and trying to defend their own integrity and attack those who attack them. The Bible teaches us that we are not to fight against flesh and blood, but rather principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). Instead of analyzing the situation as people are always attacking you, understand that there is a devil loose who seeks to destroy your destiny and purpose in God. Once you comprehend it that it is more on a spiritual level than a natural level, then you can fight your adversary by holding fast to your weapon of integrity. Do not seek vengeance on everyone who has done you wrong with this Madea theology that, “if they get me, get me, get me, I got to get them, get them, get them!” Be who God has called you to be and stand strong by maintaining character. The wealth of integrity cannot be matched, and if you will allow your integrity to defend you, you will never have to defend it. At the end, you will overcome, and people will be influenced by your life. That is what makes the difference!

 

For you in your walk with God, you may experience some difficult times, but in those moments, never forsake your prayer life or obedience to God’s Word, and surround yourself with people of accountability. Do not be surrounded by people of negative influence, rather that is of religion or of sin. Be encircled by men and women of humility and integrity, and it will help you overcome your troubles, as well as grow in maturity in God. If one of your friends is going through hard times, do not judge or condemn and be like one of Job’s friends. Be a true friend and set an example. Walk in humility and pray with and for them, encouraging and edifying instead of discouraging and destroying. Sometimes, the best medicine for them is for you to just listen to them as they vent. Be accountable, and hold yourself accountable. Walk in the counsel of the LORD and the purposes He has for your life so that you will stand strong and be established as your living Redeemer restores everything that you have ever lost in Jesus’ name!