The Christian life is full of many tests. Among these is one designed to expose our ability to endure situations that are contrary to God’s promises, where we are tempted to take an easy way out. Such situations are often crafted by Satan—the accuser, slanderer, and opposer. In the book of Job, we see Satan in heaven accusing Job before God :
And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” — Job 2:3
The tests in Job’s life were meant to push him toward compromise and denial of God—not only by cursing Him but also by abandoning his integrity. The “easy way out” of his struggles was even suggested by his wife:
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. — Job 2:9-10
An obscure verse in this narrative reveals how Job maintained his integrity:
My lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit. Far be it from me to say that you are right; till I die I will not put away my integrity from me. I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go; my heart does not reproach me for any of my days. — Job 27:4-6
Job understood that his integrity was at stake, particularly in the words he spoke during trials brought on by his friends. He was steadfast in holding on to his godly belief system, no matter the cost. Scripture emphasizes that, in all of this, “Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” He did not take the easy way out; for him, keeping God’s word was more important than life itself. His story of perseverance and endurance amidst adversity is a biblical standard of righteousness under pressure.
David
The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. — 2 Samuel 22:21
In 2 Samuel 22:21-25 (David’s song of praise), David attributes his deliverance from his enemies to his integrity before God. He portrays God as a righteous Judge who weighed his actions and found him blameless:
For I have kept the ways of the LORD and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his rules were before me, and from his statutes I did not turn aside. I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from guilt. And the LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.
Several incidents are implied in this song of praise, particularly David’s refusal to take the easy way out by killing Saul, which would have been “working salvation with his own hand.” Instead, David maintained his integrity and refrained from bloodguilt. Abigail even acknowledged this restraint:
“Now then, my lord, as the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, because the LORD has restrained you from bloodguilt and from saving with your own hand.” — 1 Samuel 25:26
David went to great lengths to ensure he remained guiltless, even judging sin within his jurisdiction. His reasoning was that if he failed to address sin, its consequences—such as guilt and judgment—would affect not only him but also his descendants.
Blessings or Curses 