In Job, chapter thirty-two, verse eight, despite Elihu’s claim to spiritual insight from God, as in chapter thirty-three, verse four, his statements and theology are not thereby dependable. Some are full of insight, and others fall short of Biblical revelation. Elihu is declaring his opinion here, which starts at the beginning of chapter thirty-two of Job until the end of thirty-eight. He begins, “But there is a spirit in man.” However, it is the spirit in man.
Elihu professes to speak by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and corrects both parties. He allowed that those who had the most experience should talk first. But God gives wisdom as he pleases. Therefore, this encouraged him to state his opinion. By attention to the word of God and dependence upon the Holy Spirit, young men may become wiser than the aged. But this wisdom will render them swift to hear, slow to speak, and disposed to give others a patient hearing.
Many people like Elihu are young and very intelligent, carry good conversation, and assess situations concerning people better than others. However, there are two things to keep in mind. There is the human spirit and the spirit of God. And this is to be understood either of the human spirit or the reasonable soul, which is in every human. So the sense of the place is, every person, as a man or woman, whether old or young, hath a reasonable soul, by which they are able in some measure to discern between good and evil and to judge of other’s opinions and discourses, may venture to deliver their opinion.
The other is the Spirit of God, which leads and directs the soul connected with the three in one: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Therefore, all believers will be in obedience and live clean before God. Many people claim to hear the Holy Spirit speak to them. However, He will talk to our inner spirit and not our ears, which is the carnal nature. So anyone who will silence the ones around them, putting their hands to their ears, claiming the Holy Spirit is speaking to them, is mistaken.