Job 31:1 - Not to Stare and Sin.

Job.31:1; Not to Stare and Sin.

Job 31:1 (KJV)  I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then 
should I think upon a maid? 

Job 31:1 (NIV)  "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look 
lustfully at a girl. 

Job 31:1 (CEV)  I promised myself never to stare with desire at 
a young woman. 

Job 31:1 (CWB)  I will hold to the covenant I have made with my 
eyes.  Why should I sin against God by looking lustfully at a woman? 

Job understood that mere avoidance of the overt act of adultery 
was not sufficient. In order to meet God's standard the thinking as 
well as the actions must be pure. Job made a covenant not to gaze 
upon that which would suggest impure thoughts. [SDA Commentary] 

Job understood the spiritual nature of God's commandments, as 
reaching to the thoughts and intents of the heart. [Matthew Henry 
Commentary] 

Job had not only avoided committing the great sin of adultery; 
he had not even taken the first step toward that sin by looking at 
a woman with lust. Job said he was innocent of both outward and 
inward sins. [Life Application SB] 

Job carefully guarded his glances, forbidding his eyes to lead 
him into temptation. [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary] 

Repentance is a definite turn from every thought, word, deed and 
habit which is known to be wrong.  It is not sufficient to feel pangs 
of remorse or to make some kind of apology to God.  Fundamentally, 
repentance is a matter neither of emotion nor of speech.  It is an inward 
change of mind and attitude towards sin which leads to a change of 
behavior. 
There can be no compromise here.  There may be sins in our lives 
which we do not think we ever could renounce; but we must be willing 
to let them go as we cry to God for deliverance from them.  If you 
are in doubt regarding what is right and what is wrong, what must go 
and what may be retained, do not be too greatly influenced by the 
customs and conventions of Christians you may know.  Go by the clear 
teaching of the Bible and by the prompting of your conscience, and Christ 
will gradually lead you further along the path of righteousness.  
When he puts his finger on anything, give it up.  It may be some 
association or recreation, some literature we read, or some attitude of 
pride, jealousy or resentment, or an unforgiving spirit. 
Jesus told his followers to pluck out their eye and cut off 
their hand or foot if these caused them to sin.  We are not to obey 
this with dead literalism, of course, and mutilate our bodies.  It is 
a vivid figure of speech for dealing ruthlessly with the avenues 
along which temptation come to us. John Stott; [Time with God SB] 

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the 
lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 (KJV)