Job was a man of faith and integrity. He turned away from evil, even the potential evil within himself. Job said, “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid” (Job 31:1)? The word “covenant” in the Hebrew means to make an agreement or contract. In the Old Testament a covenant was made between two parties, which was a binding oath, such as the covenants God initiated with Noah and Abraham (Gen. 6:18; 14:13). For Job, this covenant was between himself and his eyes. Like any other man, the eyes are like wandering sheep without a shepherd. If the eyes aren’t disciplined and guided from evil then they will inevitably stray towards danger.
Jesus warned, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart”
(Matthew 5:28). Jesus knew that the eye was the gateway to the heart. The apostle James added, “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:15). What the eye looks upon could lead to lust within the heart. Certainly sin in the heart is not as devastating as actually committing sin. But unless the sinful desires of the heart and imagination are crucified, what’s in the heart will manifest itself into actions. For example, Jesus said, “Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (Matt. 15:16-19). The seeds of adultery are sown with a lustful eye, and that’s why Job made a covenant with his eyes.
Though we wouldn’t agree with his theology, the ancient Chinese philosopher, Lao Tzu wrote, “Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
Brothers, to have a life of integrity we must be watchful of our inner life, just as we are about our outward life. Guard your heart by beginning to make a covenant with your eyes.