II Thessalonians 2:16-17 emphasizes comfort and consolation. The words of comfort we give to others should be true, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind.

Where did Job's righteousness come from? Was his character a product of evolution, or was it intelligently formed out of nothingness like the rest of creation?

Job's three 'friends,' exemplars of all men, made critical assumptions and judgments about Job on the basis of biased religious and cultural tradition.

If we allow doctrine to be contaminated with man's flawed reason, it will defile the truth. Job's friends used profane sources in their arguments.

We need to avoid the trap of self-justification, allowing our hasty words to lure us into sin. We must be quick to listen, and slow to speak.

Only a converted person humbles himself before the truth, making a conscientious effort to follow the light of evidence, even to unwelcome conclusions.