Job 31 – TWEAKING YOUR CONNECTIONS – Part 1

Job 31 – TWEAKING – Part 1

All I knew was how to shut the programme down that I was using and load the whole thing again. My computer wasn’t doing what it should do. The screen was FREEZING at the most inopportune times, or it was CRASHING. It needed TWEAKING; fine-tuning or adjusting it’s system, and that was beyond me. Small but essential modifications needed to be made but they would make all the difference.

Job knows what it is like to live as God intends. The Hardware (his body) leaves a whole lot to be desired but he hasn’t finished the race just yet. The Software however (his character), is in incredible shape. He tells me how God the Holy Spirit scans and tweaks my life.

1. ENHANCING THE SCREEN RESOLUTION (Job 31:1-4, 9-12).

This has to do with WHAT WE LOOK AT. Job says in Job 31:1 (NASB) "I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?" The NLT says “... not to look with lust at a young woman." In Matthew 5:27-28 (NLT) Jesus echoes what Job is saying “... anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Job makes strong choices that honour God and his marriage partner. This is tweaking the faithfulness application.

This is obviously talking about more than just LOOKING at young women. I was amazed that almost half Australians think that pornography is a normal and healthy part of life according to a Morgan Poll. John Wylie says “More than 70% of men (and women) from 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site in a typical month - and the stats aren't much better for those in the church...”

It's about how I THINK about a woman. Do I see them as sexual objects or do I recognise that even the most physically attractive woman in my eyes is someones daughter, created in the image of God, loved by God and someone who deserves my respect? If she were my own daughter, how would I want other men to look at her? Is my conscience defiled and is God dishonoured by the way I look at a woman?

Job has not been seduced nor has he seduced anyone else. He says “For lust is a shameful sin, a crime that should be punished. It is a fire that burns all the way to hell” (Job 31:11). Such sin carries it’s own punishment by the shame it produces. Proverbs 6:32-33 (NLT) "the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. He will be wounded and disgraced. His shame will never be erased.” I am willing to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as he tweaks the faithfulness app. in my life? Are you?

2. OPTIMISE THE CONNECTION SPEED (Job 31:26-28)

It’s not only tweaking my marriage connection that is important, making those small incremental adjustments each day, but also my connection speed with God. There’s plenty of things that slow down my ability to connect with God. What is it in my heart that I am enticed to “throw kisses” at in WORSHIP? Whatever it is, it denies God access to the areas of my life over which He wants and deserves total tweaking authority. Deuteronomy 11:16 (NLT) says "But be careful. Don’t let your heart be deceived so that you turn away from the Lord and serve and worship other gods." Job has made strong choices to give God the preeminent place in his life. Does my worship need tweaking?

3. REMOVE UNNECESSARY APPLICATIONS (Job 31:33)

This has to do with tweaking the CONFESSION application (job 31:33). Job is also open to God to “put out the trash” concerning any sin in his life. Job says in Job 31:33 (NASB, NLT) "Have I covered my transgressions like Adam, concealing my guilt in my heart?” Job isn’t trying to cover up some secret sin. Am I willing to agree with God about my sin by confessing to him and allowing Him to forgive and remove that sin from my life?

He speaks of approaching God with a clear conscience. He says “I would come before him like a prince.” (Job 31:37 NLT). He reflects words written years later in Hebrews 10:22 (NLT) "let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water."

Each morning I enter into the presence of Almighty God because of what Christ has accomplished for me on the Cross. I bow before Him and in prayer I ask that He would make the modifications to my life that are needed. I pray that He keeps me from evil so that I would not cause pain to Him, to others or to myself. I ask Him to bring to mind those things I need to admit are wrong and actively agree with Him about them. The invitation of Job 31 is that my life would be characterised by the fruit of the Spirit and that I would walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. A lot of people live good lives but a follower of Christ seeks to live as God intended. TWEAKED to the max! Making the most of every app.!

Pastor Ross

Created 9 months ago