THEOSISGregory the Great
Why does your spirit rebel against God, allowing such words to escape your lips? Job 15:13. Often, when the righteous endure hardship, they feel compelled to recount their virtuous deeds, as the blessed Job did after facing great suffering. Yet, those who are unrighteous perceive these declarations as acts of self-praise rather than truthful admissions. They evaluate the words of the righteous through their physical senses and fail to recognize that humble individuals can speak genuinely of their good deeds. It is indeed a severe fault for a person to claim what is not true of themselves, but it is no wrongdoing to humbly acknowledge the genuine goodness within.
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This is why it frequently occurs that both the just and unjust might express similar sentiments; however, their hearts are fundamentally different. The same statements for which the Lord chastises the unrighteous are met with His mercy towards the righteous. For instance, the Pharisee, upon entering the temple, declared, "I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all that I acquire" (Luke 18:12), yet the tax collector left justified rather than he. King Hezekiah, in his severe illness nearing death, silently prayed, "Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart." The Lord did not disregard this humble acknowledgment of his righteousness nor turn away from the one whose prayer He answered. The Pharisee sought to justify himself through works, while Hezekiah humbly reflected on his righteousness; one approach angered God, while the other pleased Him. This distinction arises because the Almighty judges words by the intentions behind them. To Him, those who speak without a humble heart are of little worth. Thus, blessed Job recounted his deeds without arrogance toward God, for his expressions came from a humble spirit. Conversely, heretics tend to conflate truths with their erroneous beliefs. Even though the friends of blessed Job often misrepresented him through unjust accusations, they occasionally spoke justly, having learned from their connection with him. If this were untrue, the apostle Paul would not have highlighted Eliphaz's assertion, stating, "He takes the wise in their own craftiness" (1 Corinthians 3:19). Therefore, while we must dismiss the malignity present in their unseemly claims, we should also extract the kernels of truth whenever they arise. The following follows: