Leadership: The 14 Success Principles of JobSample

3. Obedience

While the first two principles in Job’s list were pretty specific, Job’s third principle is rather broader and is summarized by one word: “Obedience.”

Here, Job indicates his desire for obedience to all of God’s law, even when his eyes may spot an opportunity that looks so good:

If my step has turned away from the way of God, or if my heart has covetously followed my eyes, or if any spot of guilt has stained my hands…  – Job 31:7 (AMP)

Job wants his leadership, his business, and his life to honor God with obedience. Beyond sexual purity and honesty, Job doesn’t even want a single spot of any kind of sin on his hands. 

Job knew obedience was important to God. Even though Job lived about 650 years before the law was given, he already knew God delighted in obedience, even more than sacrifice or offering, just as Samuel later told King Saul:

Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice… Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.  – 1 Samuel 15:22-23

In this situation, Saul failed in his leadership to follow God’s instruction. After claiming the victory for himself, he then tried to make everything right by offering sacrifice to God. In short, he tried to rationalize away a little bit of disobedience with some sacrifice.

But that’s not how God works, is it? God values complete obedience, and Job knew it. Job’s third principle for leadership and business success was to stay on the straight and narrow, not turning away from the way of God, not by looking or doing anything to take him off that path.

And his efforts paid off. Look at what God Himself says about Job:

“There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” – Job 1:8

Imagine God saying this about Job. Now imagine him saying it about you – and through the blood of Jesus, who died for your complete forgiveness, He can! 

You may not be perfect, but your every action, your every response to challenge or opportunity can bring you closer and closer to godly obedience in all of your leadership, your business, and your life, one step at a time.

Reflection / Application  

1. Job challenges you to obedience in even the small things, so that not a spot of guilt may stain your hands. Do you see any guilt at all on your hands?  
2. The desire for success is often merged with our view of blessings from God. How does Job’s reference to covetousness impact that view? Is it possible some successes or “blessings” are not from God?  
3. Complete obedience is of course impossible, and this is why we need forgiveness through Jesus. What does 1 John 2:3-6 have to say about this?