311 "I made a solemn pact with myself never to undress a girl with my eyes. 2 So what can I expect from God? What do I deserve from God Almighty above? 3 Isn't calamity reserved for the wicked? Isn't disaster supposed to strike those who do wrong? 4 Isn't God looking, observing how I live? Doesn't he mark every step I take? 5 "Have I walked hand in hand with falsehood, or hung out in the company of deceit? 6 Weigh me on a set of honest scales so God has proof of my integrity. 7 If I've strayed off the straight and narrow, wanted things I had no right to, messed around with sin, 8 Go ahead, then - give my portion to someone who deserves it.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 31:1-8
Commentary on Job 31:1-8
(Read Job 31:1-8)
Job did not speak the things here recorded by way of boasting, but in answer to the charge of hypocrisy. He understood the spiritual nature of God's commandments, as reaching to the thoughts and intents of the heart. It is best to let our actions speak for us; but in some cases we owe it to ourselves and to the cause of God, solemnly to protest our innocence of the crimes of which we are falsely accused. The lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world, are two fatal rocks on which multitudes split; against these Job protests he was always careful to stand upon his guard. And God takes more exact notice of us than we do of ourselves; let us therefore walk circumspectly. He carefully avoided all sinful means of getting wealth. He dreaded all forbidden profit as much as all forbidden pleasure. What we have in the world may be used with comfort, or lost with comfort, if honestly gotten. Without strict honestly and faithfulness in all our dealings, we can have no good evidence of true godliness. Yet how many professors are unable to abide this touchstone!