How can we avoid the fate described in Job 20:16? Setting the Scene Job 20:16 warns, “He will suck the poison of cobras; the fangs of a viper will kill him”. Zophar’s portrait of the wicked is graphic and literal: sin tastes sweet but proves deadly. God’s Word never exaggerates; destruction follows unrighteousness as surely as venom follows a serpent’s bite. Understanding the Fate in Job 20:16 • Sin enters attractively—“honey under his tongue” (v. 12)—yet ends in mortal poison. • The image underscores God’s certainty of judgment. Compare Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”. • This fate is not random; it springs from willful rebellion against the Holy One. Core Principles for Avoiding This Fate 1. Reverence for God • “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:27). • A humble, worshipful heart refuses the serpentine allure of sin. 2. Genuine Repentance and Faith • “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). • Trust Christ’s finished work: “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). 3. Daily Obedience • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22). • Obedience positions us under God’s protection, away from the viper’s strike. 4. Guarding Heart and Tongue • “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23). • “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths” (Ephesians 4:29). Sin often enters through unchecked thoughts and words. 5. Rejecting Greed and Injustice • The context of Job 20 condemns exploitation and covetous gain. • “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice” (Proverbs 16:8). 6. Pursuing the Spirit’s Fruit • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • Love, joy, peace, and self-control crowd out venomous impulses. Practical Steps for Today • Start each morning in Scripture; internalized truth immunizes against deception (Psalm 119:11). • Confess sin immediately (1 John 1:9). Delayed confession lets poison circulate. • Cultivate accountability—faithful believers help apply antivenom (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Serve others generously; self-giving love suffocates selfish desires (Acts 20:35). • Memorize key verses on temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13; Psalm 34:14). • Fast periodically to train the body to submit to the spirit (Matthew 6:16-18). Promised Outcomes • Freedom: “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). • Protection: “No evil will befall you, no plague will approach your tent” (Psalm 91:10). • Eternal Life: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). By fearing God, repenting, and walking in Spirit-empowered obedience, we trade snake venom for living water and avoid the doom described in Job 20:16. |
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