Greater Houston Christian Outdoor Fellowship Weekly Devotional
By Dennis Rainey of Family Life
“I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?”
(Job 31:1)
Men, this may not be an easy thing to admit if your wife is sitting right next to you. But let’s be honest-you’ll likely relate to the story I’m about to tell.
I was seated in a car with another Christian leader-a good friend of mine. We were both away from home, without our wives, waiting for a colleague who had just gone inside a store. And as we sat there, a woman walked by who was, well, drop-dead gorgeous. I caught sight of her as she entered the store, and then turned back to our conversation.
When she walked by again, by God’s grace (or the fear of my own reputation being spoiled), I summoned up enough self-control to look away. But I did notice my friend’s eyes lingering as she walked on to her car. Knowing we were both fighting the same battle, I casually said, “Hey, you can look at her once, you can look at her twice, but if you look at her that long …”
We laughed. We knew.
Guys, there’s nothing wrong with appreciating a woman’s beauty. But we all know in an instant when we’ve reached that point where we’re no longer simply noticing her but have begun enjoying her and letting our minds become a playground of lustful thoughts. That’s when Fred Stoeker, coauthor of Every Man’s Battle, says we must heed the words of Job 31:1, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” With the same impulsive quickness that makes us pull our hands back from a hot stove, we must discipline ourselves to “bounce” our eyes away from her.
Yes, it’s every man’s battle, all right. But it’s a battle we can win.
Sportsmen’s Tip of The Day
by Jimmy Hassell
When you travel or if work keeps you from your family a lot, have someone praying for you and holding you accountable. It doesn’t matter how strong a Christian you are or how long, Satan knows our weak spots and he knows when to attacked. When you travel take pictures of your family and put them where you can view them often. And like the American Express Commercial, THE BIBLE, don’t leave home without it.