WHO SAID IT?
Today's reading: Job 35-36

"If they listen and obey God, then they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant." Job 36:11 NLT

What? Is Malinda teaching prosperity gospel?

No. Malinda is not teaching prosperity gospel.

You see, as best as humanly possible, you won't see Malinda 'preaching' or teaching anything but God's Word.

Oh, you say, you've just quoted a verse from God's Word...a verse that claims health, wealth and happiness for followers of Christ.

No, I am not.

What's said about prosperity was not spoken by God. It is not written in red.

It, with so many other verses we are quick to believe and even quicker to become frustrated with, warrants a look into who it was doing the talking.

Job's friend, Elihu, is the one spreading the prosperity gospel spiel.

Elihu falsely assumes right living means an easy life.

Elihu believes heaven is on this side of the grave for those who live godly lives.

Elihu accuses Job based on what Elihu sees, not what Job knows in his heart.

This errant theology is brought to us via a self-proclaimed angry(32:2), about to bust with suggestions(32:18) and conceited(36:5) man.

Satan would like nothing more than for us to become disallusioned with what another human has to say. He lures us into his traps by using the snippets of God's Word that we've stored in our hearts as bait. He is so accustomed to us swallowing his lies, hook, line and sinker. He has hidden the 'shovels' of time and effort when it comes to a point we should be digging into God's Word for direction, instruction and correction.

Let's spur each other to investigate the thoughts jumping into our heads...and who is planting them!