Job 27:7
“Let mine enemy be as the wicked, and he that riseth up against me as the unrighteous.”
One of the most difficult situations to deal with in life is personal attacks. I have found that when others do wrong they will go to any measure, including personal attacks, to get what they want. I watched a political operative during an election cycle say that anything is on the table as long as they won. When you’re an honest person, it is hard to understand why people will lower themselves to the lowest degree in their personal attacks.
Job found this out when he went through his time of trials. Those who should have been cheering him on, instead launched personal attacks against his character and actions of the past. Job certainly understood that he was not perfect, but the personal attacks by three men were baseless, yet hurtful to Job. Job’s response to these personal attacks are an ideal response when you are personally attacked.
First, Job would not lower himself to talk deceitfully. He said in verse 4, “My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.” Though these men lied about him, he would not lower himself to say deceitful things about them. I’m sure he knew some things about these men that he could have used to destroy them, but he would not use his lips to “speak wickedness.” Just because others personally attack you with lies doesn’t give you a right to lie about them. Returning lies for lies will only hurt the cause of Christ.
Second, Job would not justify their actions. He said in verse 5, “God forbid that I should justify you: till I die I will not remove mine integrity from me.” This may sound a little self-serving, but he was not going to admit to something just for the sake of stopping the personal attacks. If Job had agreed to what they said, then he would have become dishonest. You can’t justify their actions because your integrity is at stake. Job’s name was under attack, and he would not justify their actions because his name was the only thing he had left. The one thing you must always defend is your integrity. Silence will only let your integrity be marred by lies. If you are absolutely right, then defend your integrity. If you’re not right, then you better be careful because it will be discovered.
Third, Job would not stop doing righteous acts. He said in verse 6, “My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go…” Righteousness is performing righteous acts. When you are personally attacked, you must keep doing what you have always done. Don’t stop doing right just because you are attacked. Keep going to the same places. Keep proclaiming the same truth. Keep doing what you have always done. Continuing righteousness is the only way you can overcome the personal attacks.
Personal attacks are certainly one of the most unpleasant things you will ever endure, but behaving right will determine how you come through them. Be careful that you don’t take the personal attacks personally and realize they are only because of sin. These three responses will help you to keep your name and integrity when you are personally attacked.