Job 34:4

4 Let us choose [bachar] to us judgment [mishpat]: let us know [yada`] among ourselves what is good [towb]. KJV-Interlinear

4 'Let us choose for ourselves what is right; Let us know among ourselves what is good. NASB

Elihu lays the foundation for what we read in 1 Thess. 5.

1 Thess. 5:21-22

21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil. NASB

We do not choose what we wish to be right and to be wrong. That is what the world does already. Making everything relative such that anything can be justified in mans eyes.

But we have to remain within the context of the Book of Job and within the context of the Bible. We study to show ourselves approved, which means that we study in order to learn, in order to understand, in order to grow up spiritually to maturity. From our studies, we examine everything we learn. This helps us to be able to discern between that which is true and that which is false.

Often times we will come to a confrontation between what we have been brought up believing, and what the Bible teaches. And in that case, our biases, our prejudices, our personal feelings will interfere with our objectivity.

But with continued study, with regular study, with daily study, then the Holy Spirit, who reveals all truth to your inner soul through your human spirit, will eventually make all things of truth, clear to your mind.

And when truth becomes clear, then you face a second challenge, and that challenge is your letting go of your former beliefs. That can be a tough one in many cases, and depending on the subject in question.

For example, if you have been brought up believing that chewing gum on Sunday is a sin, then when you come to realize that is not the case, it may be easy to dismiss the former belief.

But when your former belief deals with marriage, with divorce, with homosexuality, with abortion, with global warming, with politics and so forth, then these beliefs can tend to bring anxiety, even revolt if you come to the understanding that your former beliefs are wrong, and yet you want to hang on to them.

Again, time will solve it all. That is, time will solve your understanding if you keep on with your Bible studies.

If you run into a conflict between the Bible and what you believe and then turn away from the Bible, or align yourself with a study that teaches things the way you want them to be taught, then your understanding of truth will take longer.

But then, Elihu has already indicated that truth is clear to us all, it is our acceptance of it that really is the crux of our failure to grow up spiritually. And, it is this stubbornness that prevents our spiritual blessings from becoming a reality in our lives.

You can be your own worst enemy.

People who reject doctrine will have a tendency to withdraw from society, they will have a tendency in trying to control those around them, they will have a tendency to make unimportant things into mountains, and important things into molehills. They will think more of themselves, and be more than willing to embarrass or give up others in order to alleviate or satisfy their own hate or selfish interest.

And more than this, rejection of truth will always end up in self delusion and ultimate disaster for ones own life.

Therefore, Elihu gives good advice. Keep on studying, keep on evaluating, keep on testing everything you hear or learn in life. But most important of all, keep on with your daily Bible studies, for without that standard, you will have no way to gauge the accuracy of everything you hear or learn.

Through doctrine, you will eventually know, with certainty, what is true and what is false in life.

Now is the time to post a prayer.