The Spirit of Eliphaz

I made a television appearance once where I spoke concerning the perfection of the saints. Afterwards, I received an email from an irate viewer who declared that I was arrogant and the message I preach is that of new age. I thought, “How sad this individual must be. For such a one is still under the illusion that he will never overcome sin, walk daily in the purity of heart, or that he will never be able to please the Father.”

Likewise, a minister of the gospel, (a well known prosperity preacher), lambasted me on his television show, warning the saints not to go to my website to view teachings on perfection. He went on to reiterate, “Nobody’s perfect and no one will ever be perfect.” My heart fainted as I realized, this man is talking to millions of people, most of whom trust him to be a man of God, who hears directly from the Lord. He has been a pastor and televangelist for years. His word to them is law. Oh God, because of his word millions of saints are going to walk through life anticipating failure in character, word and deed.

They will spend the rest of their days expecting to fall back into the captivity of the sin God delivered them out of. They will never enjoy the liberty of freedom from sin or the darkness of this world. What purpose did God’s Son come into this world if we still have no ability to go on to perfection? (Heb.6:1-3). Personally, I do not understand the controversy arising in the Christian community regarding “perfection” of character. To reject such a doctrine is to declare it to be impossible for the saints of God to live holy in spite of the commandment of the Lord to do so. Not to mention the fact that severe penalty is inflicted against those who fail to walk in the holiness of God.

Looking a little closer at the friends of Job we find that Eliphaz was pretty much able to express not only the sentiments of the other two, but that same spirit strives with truth today. He was very bold and aggressive in his attack against the words Job spoke, even as many of the clergy are bold against truth in this generation. Let’s look at the response of Eliphaz to Job’s declaration of innocence and purity before God. See if it sounds in any way familiar to the responses of the clergy to the perfection message.

Job 15:1-15

1 Then answered Eliphaz the Temanite, and said,

2 Should a wise man utter vain knowledge, and fill his belly with the east wind?

3 Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good? (In other words, “What you’re saying is foolishness“).

4 Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. (Evidently you don’t fear God.”)

5 For thy mouth uttereth thine iniquity, and thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.

6 Thine own mouth condemneth thee, and not I: yea, thine own lips testify against thee. (“The mere fact that you would even say that according to the laws of God, you are without sin, or just, causes you to be condemned before God.”)

7 Art thou the first man that was born? or wast thou made before the hills?

8 Hast thou heard the secret of God? and dost thou restrain wisdom to thyself? (“Who do you think you are?”)

9 What knowest thou, that we know not? what understandest thou, which is not in us? (“And how dare you think you have more understanding than all of us?)

10 With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men, much elder than thy father. (“Some of us are old enough to be your grandfather, and you think you have more knowledge than us?”)

11 Are the consolations of God small with thee? is there any secret thing with thee?

12 Why doth thine heart carry thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at,

13 That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest such words go out of thy mouth?

14 What is man, that he should be clean? and he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? 15 Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight. (“How do you dare to say you are clean before the Lord? No one is clean.”)

Remember, it was the testimony of God that declared Job to be a perfect and upright man. What was God testifying of? Surely it was not the perfection or completeness in Christ, seeing as how Job existed long before Christ was manifested. I submit that He was referencing Job’s regard and respect for the law of God. He was blameless in that he offered sacrifice and burnt offerings if in fact there had been an occasion for him to offend the law of God.

Therefore, as pertaining to the law which God had given him to live by, he was considered perfect and upright. Now you must ask yourself, “How is it possible for God to testify to Satan of Job’s righteousness and yet the elders and priests who were Job’s friends and colleagues could not testify of the same?” Instead they rebuked and scorned him for even saying he was walking upright before the Lord. They condemned him for not confessing sin that they themselves could not name.

Oh, how history is repeating itself. Even in Christ’s generation, the Father has imputed unto His Sons righteousness, a sinless nature and freedom from sin and death. There are some who are walking in the liberty of the Spirit, not giving heed to seducing spirits or the doctrines of men. They actually make a conscious decision every day to walk holy before the Lord. They have agreed with God that they are no longer held captive by the devil or any other spirit. They also agree that they have the power to always please the Father. However, many who have gained prominent leadership in the Body condemn any in the Body who dare to say they are walking upright and pleasing to the Father. They continue to howl and scream no, no, no!

You are not perfect, and you will never be perfect. You are going to sin. You will dishonor and disobey God. It is impossible for you to live holy seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. The devil won’t allow you to. The flesh won’t allow you to nor will your sinful nature. This is the spirit of Eliphaz ruling over the people of God. Nevertheless, the commandment of the Lord remains; Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (St.Matthew 5:48).