Joe R. Price

The psalmist said, "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things" as he petitioned the Lord to "incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness" (Ps. 119:36-37). We will not turn our eyes away from gazing upon vain things unless we first stretch out our hearts toward God's word. It is no coincidence that to put to death the sins of the flesh, we must let the word of Christ richly dwell in us (Col. 3:5, 16). When we give attention to sin with our eyes, we have already considered it in our hearts (Mark 7:21-23). We gain insight into the kind of heart God expects us to have by remembering what we must not "look at."

(1) Do not look upon a woman to lust after her. Jesus emphatically warns that "whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt. 5:28). (That goes for looking at men, too.) Images of the human body in every state of undress are set before our eyes daily in many ways. From the immodestly dressed woman at work, at the store, or down the street, to TV shows and movies, to advertisements in electronic and printed media, images of the opposite sex lure wandering eyes, inducing sin's longing gazes of lust. Men, come down from the rooftop and do not gaze upon Bathsheba's beauty (2 Sam. 11:2-4). And women, do not let Absalom's good looks steal your heart and soul (2 Sam. 15:6). Turn away your eyes.

Pornography is rampant on the Internet, TV, and elsewhere, generating billions of dollars annually. That does not make it any more respectable. It is an abomination that degrades women, perverts the purity of human sexuality, and infects society with lust, covetousness, corruption, and crime. Christians are not immune to the lure of its vain, empty temptations (James 1:14-16). Beware. Guard your heart by making a covenant with your eyes not to gaze intently on a woman (Job 31:1; 1 Cor. 10:12).

(2) Do not look on the wine. "Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper" (Prov. 23:31-32). Do not even begin the process that produces drunkenness. Do not gaze at the wine as acceptable, for its sting strikes the soul. Drinking alcohol is a sin against God (as is the consumption of other drugs). Alcohol alters the mind, dulls the senses, and clouds good judgment (Titus 2:2, 6; 1 Pet. 1:13; 4:1-3; 5:8). The devil wants your judgment confused and your inhibitions weakened. Alcohol helps do that. So, do not gaze at it. Alcohol causes foolishness and hurts you now and throughout eternity (Prov. 20:1; 23:33-35).

(3) Do not look behind you (Gen. 19:17). Remember Lot's wife. Do not be enticed by the sins of the past with their fleeting pleasures and assumed benefits. All these will perish with Sodom. Keep your eyes on Jesus and your heavenly home (Heb. 12:1-2; 11:13-16). Keep your heart inclined toward God and His testimonies.