When God Did Some Trash Talking

There is an interesting conversation in the first two chapters of the book of Job where God and Satan start talking smack to each other. I have heard some preachers say things like “God can’t look at sin” and “The devil is bound in hell” which are just plain ludicrous. The fact that Satan has access to God helps us understand why he is called “the accuser of the brethren” in Revelation 12:10.

As they converse, God points to Job as someone who Satan hasn’t been able to devour yet. (Snap) Of course, the retort is that he doesn’t serve for God nothing. (booyah) There is an essence of trash talking between the two over the state of affairs with Job. Of course Satan is given permission to work his magic on Job and does so with fierce abandon.

They meet again later and God asks Satan how his plan worked out. (in your face) Of course, Satan has to justify his defeat with another set of trash talking about Job. (yer mama) And God releases him to give it his best shot. Because Job is a man of integrity, it doesn’t work.

The surprise player in this whole scenario is Job’s wife. She throws down the worst of all the smack with her “curse God and die” garbage. In all this does Job hold his integrity? Absolutely!

So what? What does this all mean to me? If your enemy has the audacity to talk smack about Job, surely he will have no problem talking about you. The false prophet in Revelation 13 is describes as a man with two horns like a lamb, but speaks like the Dragon. He looks like a Christian, but speaks like the devil. And how does the Dragon speak? “Did God say…?” in Genesis, and “If you are the son of man….”in the temptation of Jesus. Expect him to speak the same way to you. Expect him to speak trash talk of doubt, fear, lack, and limitation to you. That’s what he does. That’s who he is.

“Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. 1 Peter 5:8-9 (New Living Translation)