ESOCS Devotional 26 November 2025 – Personal Purity
MEMORY VERSE: “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” Job 31:1
TEXT: JOB 31:1-20
“I have made a covenant with my eyes;
Why then should I ook upon a young woman?
2 For what is the allotment of God from above,
And the inheritance of the Almighty from on high?
3 Is it not destruction for the wicked,
And disaster for the workers of iniquity?
4 Does He not see my ways,
And count all my steps?
5 “If I have walked with falsehood,
Or if my foot has hastened to deceit,
6 Let me be weighed on honest scales,
That God may know my integrity.
7 If my step has turned from the way,
Or my heart walked after my eyes,
Or if any spot adheres to my hands,
8 Then let me sow, and another eat;
Yes, let my harvest be rooted out.
9 “If my heart has been enticed by a woman,
Or if I have lurked at my neighbor’s door,
10 Then let my wife grind for another,
And let others bow down over her.
11 For that would be wickedness;
Yes, it would be iniquity deserving of judgment.
12 For that would be a fire that consumes to destruction,
And would root out all my increase.
13 “If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant
When they complained against me,
14 What then shall I do when God rises up?
When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them?
Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?
16 “If I have kept the poor from their desire,
Or caused the eyes of the widow to fail,
17 Or eaten my morsel by myself,
So that the fatherless could not eat of it
18 (But from my youth I reared him as a father,
And from my mother’s womb I guided the widow);
19 If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,
Or any poor man without covering;
20 If his heart has not blessed me,
And if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
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Job expresses a powerful commitment to personal purity, demonstrating his deep sense of integrity and moral responsibility. This is more than just a statement about physical discipline. It reflects a heart dedicated to righteousness, accountability before God, and a desire to live in holiness. Job, known for his righteousness and devotion to God, made this covenant during a time when he was under extreme scrutiny from his friends and going through intense personal trials. His declaration here is part of a larger defence of his moral character and godliness. By making a “covenant with his eyes,” Job reveals the importance of intentionality when it comes to purity. He understood that purity begins with what we allow into our minds and hearts, and that the eyes are often the gateway to temptation and sin.
Jesus echoes this principle in Matthew 5:28, where He teaches, “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Jesus expands upon the law by pointing out that sin is not just about outward actions, but it starts internally, in our hearts and minds. Job’s covenant with his eyes was a way of guarding his heart against lust and immorality. In doing so, he set an example of how believers should approach purity not just avoiding sinful actions but also guarding their thoughts and desires.
Job’s covenant also highlights personal responsibility. Rather than blaming external circumstances or other people for moral failings, he takes proactive measures to ensure he stays on the right path. In a world filled with temptations, especially in the area of sexual immorality, this proactive approach is crucial. Proverbs 4:23 instructs, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Guarding our hearts begins with what we choose to look at, think about, and focus on.
Job’s decision is also a reflection of the broader biblical teaching that believers are called to live holy and blameless lives. 1 Peter 1:15-16 says, “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” Holiness is not just about avoiding outward sin but involves inward purity. It requires discipline, accountability, and the help of the Holy Spirit to resist temptation and live according to God’s standards.
In today’s culture, where images and media often promote impurity, Job’s example is even more relevant. We live in an age where what we allow ourselves to see can quickly shape our desires and decisions. For Christians, guarding the eyes and the heart is essential in maintaining a life of holiness. Psalm 119:37 says, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” This prayer reminds us that, like Job, we need God’s help to keep our focus on what is pure and holy. Remember, purity begins in the heart and mind, and we must take intentional steps to guard our hearts against temptation. By making a covenant with his eyes, Job was able to order his steps in the ways of God. We should do likewise.
CHALLENGES
- Job covenanted with his eyes. You can also covenant with your heart and mind to remain pure.
PRAYER POINT
- Father, help my heart and eyes. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Job 34: 1-20; Hebrew 11:27-40; 13:1-15
ESOCS Devotional 26 November 2025
