How can Job 15:20 guide us in avoiding wickedness in daily life?

Setting the Stage: What Job 15:20 Tells Us

“A wicked man writhes in pain all his days; only a few years are reserved for the ruthless.” — Job 15:20

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The High Cost of Wicked Choices

• Continual inner turmoil — the wicked “writhes in pain” constantly, revealing that sin never delivers the peace it promises (Isaiah 57:20-21).

• Short-lived success — “only a few years” highlights the fleeting nature of any apparent advantage gained through evil (Proverbs 10:27).

• Certain judgment — God’s moral order guarantees reaping what is sown (Galatians 6:7-8).

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Why God Warns Us: Loving Protection

• Scripture exposes sin’s agony so we will flee from it (Psalm 19:11).

• The warning showcases God’s justice and goodness; He cannot overlook wickedness (Nahum 1:3).

• Knowing the outcome of evil motivates us to seek the abundant life Christ offers (John 10:10).

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Practical Steps to Steer Clear of Wickedness Today

• Guard the heart daily with Scripture intake (Psalm 119:11).

• Choose companions who pursue righteousness (Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33).

• Replace sinful patterns with Spirit-led habits—prayerful dependence, honest speech, generous deeds (Ephesians 4:22-24).

• Keep short accounts with God: confess sin promptly and accept His cleansing (1 John 1:9).

• Remember eternity—focus on treasures that endure beyond “a few years” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

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Walking in the Freedom of Righteousness

• Peace replaces inner pain when we obey God (Philippians 4:9).

• Longevity and stability often accompany righteous living (Proverbs 3:1-2).

• A clear witness emerges; others see the contrast between restless wickedness and contented holiness (Matthew 5:16).

• Anticipate the ultimate reward: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).