The Slippery Slide of Self-Justification

The Slippery Slide of Self-Justification

There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both. — Job 9:33

So in chapters 9-10, we read Job's second response. But instead of responding directly to Bildad, who has been quite harsh, it appears Job is now trying to figure out how he can plead his case to God. These two chapters are very poetic and may appear worshipful, yet it has subtle undertones of what we call "righteous indignation." Job is weighing the greatness of God against the smallness of creation and his own life. Thus as he speaks, he begins to make himself a little too big and God a little too small. He wants a courtroom meeting with God because he is looking to justify himself — and this is a dangerous move.

I discovered a long time ago that self-justification is often my first line of defense when I feel cornered. I turn to self-justification to preserve my position when others put me to the test. This happens mostly when I am tested with people who know me well who see this disconnect in my integrity. People like my spouse and my children point this out the most. Therefore when tested, I will sometimes, not always, become defensive and use self-justification to preserve myself. I fortify my position by explaining, defending, and justifying my actions.

But let's remember that Job has done nothing wrong in this context to be deserving of his suffering. Let's also remember that his friends are making this worse by demanding that he has done something wrong to deserve his suffering. And because Job does not see the connection between his suffering and righteousness, he wants to prove these men wrong and vindicate himself. But what's ironic is that in trying to justify himself, he is no longer justifying his righteousness to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. He is justifying himself to God. He is asking for God to justify him before his friends so he can prove them wrong. And thus, he has pushed too far. Satan has him. He is now elevating his righteousness and thus himself a little too much. Thus we learn from Job that even when we are right, we can handle it wrong.

Do you see the slippery slide of self-justification?

You know we all have moments like this. Moments we feel cornered. Moments we feel overwhelmed. Moments we feel trapped. And thus, we end up relying too much on ourselves and not enough on God. We self-preserve using self-justification because we trust ourselves and our own understanding more than we trust God. And thus we fall into the devious trap of Satan.

For those of you struggling with this today, here are some words for you to hold to from Proverbs 3:5-6.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths. — Proverbs 3:5-6

ASK THIS: Have you fallen into the trap of self-justification lately?

DO THIS: Rectify it first with God and then with others.

PRAY THIS: God, forgive me for justifying myself to others and to you.

PLAY THIS: Purify My Heart.