Job 27:4
my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will not utter deceit.
my lips will not speak wickedness
In this declaration, Job emphasizes his commitment to righteousness and integrity, even amidst his suffering. The term "wickedness" in the Hebrew context often refers to actions that are morally wrong or unjust. Job's assertion reflects his steadfastness in maintaining moral integrity, aligning with the wisdom literature's emphasis on the power of words (Proverbs 18:21). This phrase also echoes the broader biblical theme of the importance of guarding one's speech, as seen in Psalms 34:13, where the psalmist advises to "keep your tongue from evil." Job's resolve can be seen as a type of Christ, who, despite suffering, "committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22).

and my tongue will not utter deceit
Here, Job underscores his commitment to truthfulness, rejecting any form of deceit. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, truthfulness was a highly valued virtue, and deceit was often associated with the wicked. Job's insistence on honesty, even when falsely accused by his friends, highlights his integrity. This mirrors the biblical principle found in Proverbs 12:22, which states, "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Job's stance is prophetic of the Messiah, who embodies truth (John 14:6) and whose teachings emphasize the importance of truthfulness (Matthew 5:37). This commitment to truth, despite adversity, serves as a model for believers to emulate.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man described as blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and steadfast faith.

2. Friends of Job
Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who visit Job to comfort him but end up accusing him of wrongdoing, suggesting his suffering is due to sin.

3. God
The sovereign Creator who allows Job's testing but ultimately restores him, demonstrating His justice and mercy.

4. Satan
The adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job is faithful only because of his prosperity.

5. Land of Uz
The region where Job lived, often associated with the ancient Near East, though its exact location is uncertain.
Teaching Points
Integrity in Speech
Job's commitment to not speaking wickedness or deceit serves as a model for maintaining integrity in our words, even under pressure or suffering.

The Power of the Tongue
Our words have the power to build up or destroy. As believers, we are called to use our speech to reflect God's truth and love.

Faithfulness Amidst Trials
Job's resolve to speak truthfully, despite his circumstances, encourages us to remain faithful and uphold our values during difficult times.

Guarding Against Deceit
In a world where deceit is common, Christians are called to be people of truth, reflecting God's character in their communication.

The Role of Accountability
Job's friends, though misguided, remind us of the importance of community and accountability in helping us stay true to our commitments.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Job's commitment to not speaking wickedness challenge you in your daily conversations?

2. In what ways can you apply the principle of guarding your tongue from deceit in your personal and professional life?

3. How do the teachings in James 3 about the tongue relate to Job's declaration in Job 27:4?

4. Reflect on a time when you were tempted to speak deceitfully. How can Job's example inspire you to choose truth?

5. How can you encourage others in your community to uphold integrity in their speech, especially during challenging times?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 34:13
This verse advises believers to keep their tongues from evil and their lips from speaking deceit, echoing Job's commitment to integrity.

James 3:2-12
James discusses the power of the tongue, emphasizing the importance of controlling one's speech, which aligns with Job's resolve to avoid wickedness and deceit.

Proverbs 12:22
This proverb highlights that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, reinforcing the value of truthfulness as seen in Job's declaration.
Moral HonestyW.F. Adeney Job 27:1-4
Points in Job's ParableHomilistJob 27:1-10
Job a Victor in the ControversyE. Johnson Job 27:1-23
Holding Fast IntegrityT. Somerville, D. D.Job 27:3-6
Holding Fast Our RighteousnessG. Hunsworth, M. A.Job 27:3-6
Moral CourageD. P. Faure.Job 27:3-6
Of an Unreproaching HeartJ. Orr, D. D.Job 27:3-6
Peace of ConsciencePawlet St. John, A. M.Job 27:3-6
Uprightness in Life and DeathW. R. Clarke, M. A.Job 27:3-6
People
Job
Places
Uz
Topics
FALSE, Deceit, Falsehood, Lips, Mutter, Perverseness, Speak, Surely, Tongue, Truly, Unjustly, Unrighteousness, Utter, Wickedness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 27:4

     5193   tongue
     6147   deceit, practice
     8275   honesty

Job 27:2-5

     8776   lies

Library
The Touchstone of Godly Sincerity
Who, then, is this "wicked man," thus portrayed before us? And what are the first symptoms of his depravity? We ask not the question idly, but in order that we take heed against the uprise of such an evil in ourselves. "Beneath the saintly veil the votary of sin May lurk unseen; and to that eye alone Which penetrates the heart, may stand revealed." The hypocrite is very often an exceedingly neat imitation of the Christian. To the common observer he is so good a counterfeit that he entirely escapes
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Whether Hypocrisy is Contrary to the virtue of Truth?
Objection 1: It seems that hypocrisy is not contrary to the virtue of truth. For in dissimulation or hypocrisy there is a sign and a thing signified. Now with regard to neither of these does it seem to be opposed to any special virtue: for a hypocrite simulates any virtue, and by means of any virtuous deeds, such as fasting, prayer and alms deeds, as stated in Mat. 6:1-18. Therefore hypocrisy is not specially opposed to the virtue of truth. Objection 2: Further, all dissimulation seems to proceed
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

On the Interior Man
The interior man is the rational soul; in the apostle: have in your hearts, in the interior man, Christ through faith. [Eph. 3:16] His head is Christ; in the apostle: the head of the man is Christ. [I Cor. 11:3] The crown of the head is the height of righteousness; in Solomon: for the crown of your head has received the crown of grace. The same in a bad part: the crown of hairs having walked about in their own delights, that is, in the height of iniquity. [Prov. 4:9; Ps. 67(68):22(21)] The hair is
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Wesley in St. Albans Abbey
Monday, July 30.--l preached at Bingham, ten miles from Nottingham. I really admired the exquisite stupidity of the people. They gaped and stared while I was speaking of death and judgment, as if they had never heard of such things before. And they were not helped by two surly, ill-mannered clergymen, who seemed to be just as wise as themselves. The congregation at Houghton in the evening was more noble, behaving with the utmost decency. Tuesday, 31.--At nine I preached in the market place at Loughborough,
John Wesley—The Journal of John Wesley

The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished;
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The Sinner Arraigned and Convicted.
1. Conviction of guilt necessary.--2. A charge of rebellion against God advanced.--3. Where it is shown--that all men are born under God's law.--4. That no man hath perfectly kept it.--5. An appeal to the reader's conscience on this head, that he hath not.--6. That to have broken it, is an evil inexpressibly great.--7. Illustrated by a more particular view of the aggravations of this guilt, arising--from knowledge.--8. From divine favors received.--9. From convictions of conscience overborne.--10.
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

God's Sovereignty and Prayer
"If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14). Throughout this book it has been our chief aim to exalt the Creator and abase the creature. The well-nigh universal tendency now, is to magnify man and dishonour and degrade God. On every hand it will be found that, when spiritual things are under discussion, the human side and element is pressed and stressed, and the Divine side, if not altogether ignored, is relegated to the background. This holds true of very much of the
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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