Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. — Job 2:9-10

Before we get too far into these two verses, let's keep three things in mind. First, this is the only place in the 42 chapters of the book that Job's wife is mentioned. This means we only get one small glimpse of her life. Second, it's the only time she speaks. This means we only get this one myopic view of all the things she may have said to her husband and that she might have said many wonderful and supportive things as well. Third, let's keep in mind that Job is not the only person who has lost everything. She has too. She is going through financial and personal devastation and lost ten children she gave birth to and raised into adults. And now, she watches as her husband lives in physical torment covered in boils.

With this in mind, let's turn to the question: When is it time to correct your spouse?

It's time to correct when a spouse persuades us to compromise spiritual integrity.  Let's recognize that there are times in a marriage that one spouse will enter a negotiation with the other spouse. What they are trying to do is strike a "deal" that both benefits them and the other person. For example — if you do "this," then I will do "that," which will benefit us both. And these negotiations lead to deals that result in compromises. It could be a  compromise of any kind — financial, travel, parenting, recreational, or otherwise. Sometimes we agree to these deals to expedite a process, appease a spouse, or get what we want. But sometimes, these compromises jeopardize our spiritual integrity. And usually, they are a little less obvious. But this one by Job's wife is a little obvious. She says, "Curse God and die!" So, honey, we don't want to do that.

So how do we know we have made a spiritual compromise?

Well, the answer simple. When we have compromised a high view of God for a high view of ourselves. Note what Job said to his wife. "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" He's proclaiming a very high and sovereign view of God over all things — good and evil. And he's right to do this. And even fight for it. He's pointing out the obvious result of her statement. That spiritual integrity is only worth it when times are good, not when times are bad. And Job responds quite insightfully with this very high view of God. He could have said this. "If God is only God of the good, then what good is God."

So today, you may encounter a moment you have to correct somebody, even a spouse. The key is this — if you have to compromise, don't compromise a high view of God. Let God be God, of good and the bad.

ASK THIS: Have you struck any deals that have compromised your spiritual integrity?

DO THIS: If so, correct course! (Share this in the comments below what you plan on doing differently today).

PRAY THIS: God, forgive me for not having a high view of you. Help me to stand up and speak out on behalf of what is right and righteous.
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