Job 19:4

4 And be it indeed ['omnam] that I have erred [shagah], mine error [mashuwgah] remaineth [luwn] with myself. KJV-Interlinear

4 'Even if I have truly erred, My error lodges with me. NASB

To error here is a personal sin. This does not apply to criminal activities, wrongs against people, property or anything else, whatever they might be. Job is referring to his personal life.

His friends have implied that his sins, are secret sins and that his suffering is so grievous, then his sins must be equally so.

David once said, 'Against thee and thee alone, have I sinned.'

Granted, God has set in place systems of due process such that humanity can protect itself and bring about remedies for various wrongs that society is made to suffer. But these things, such legal proceedings are not in view here. And even his friends have not ventured so far as to suggest that Job should be charged with some public infraction.

'Judge not lest ye be judged.'

And so it is with Job situation. His friends have stepped over that line, imposing their opinions into Jobs life, where they had no right to do so.

In personal matters, matters of the heart or soul, the issues are between yourself and God, and with no one else. You should not go whining to others, or complaining about your life. And Job has not done that. Likewise, others have no right to criticize you for your relationship with God, or lack of it.

If you ask someone their opinion, then you open up a door for comments, even criticism, and you should be mature enough to take it, whatever their response might be.

But Job neither solicited nor expected the attack he has received from his friends. Yes, Job did open up this conversation with his complaints, but then he has been in extreme pain and deathly sick. Not exactly in a position to dance through the night.

His friends took it upon themselves to question his integrity, and condemn his life, even in his own home.

Everyone stands or falls on their own in their spiritual life. And this is the principle of today's study.

No one can think for you. No one can make decisions for you. No one can make you listen, or learn, or even want to listen or learn.

And, no one will stand before the Lord in your place, when that time comes. That is your responsibility.

If you do well within your spiritual life, then that is between you and God. If you do not do well in your spiritual life, then that is between you and God. God has many methods of dealing with you in your life. And patience, or blessing, or discipline, or giving you over to the jungle are just the beginning when it comes to dealing with your life.

Judging, and maligning, and criticism from other people may be permitted, but they are never authorized. And you have to learn to deal with that, too.

Likewise, no one has the right to hide behind irresponsibility. Don't think that you are some kind of island, and that you don't have to deal with people or life. Attitudes can get you into more trouble than they will get you out of, so don't be stupid or stubborn in life, either.

Just because other folks do not have a right to interfere in your personal life, you still have to live with them and be a part of society. Your personal sins may be your own business, but if not placed in check, they will eventually overflow into the lives of others, and then it is you who has crossed over the line into the lives of others.

Now is the time to post a prayer.