READING: Job 30-31, Acts 24:10-27
I cannot speak enough about the agonies I’ve seen because of lust (and pornography), including among church leaders. The enemy delights in taking the godly desires that God places in us and turning them into something less than honoring to Him. None of us is immune to this struggle, and only intentional steps to fight against it can make a difference.
In the context of his defense of his own life, Job recognized this need and committed to keep his way pure: “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I look at a young woman?” (Job 31:1). He had no interest in crossing lines that God had established, and he made a personal agreement that he would not allow his eyes to move in the wrong direction. Job knew that God sees all of his steps—and, thus, Job’s covenant with his own eyes mattered—and he understood the reality of judgment on those who live in disobedience to God. Any step in that direction, in fact, would be troublesome.
All of us would be wise to establish such a covenant with our eyes—especially in a world where the lures of pornography almost inadvertently land in our email in-boxes. To assume that we can handle these temptations without intentionality, commitment, and prayer is foolish indeed.
PRAYER: “Father, I, too, make this covenant with my eyes, and more importantly, with You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 32-34, Acts 25
