Its The Ear, Not The Eye

Doesn’t he see everything I do and every step I take? [Job 31.4]

Good question! Does God see everything I do and every step I take?

Yes.

But wait! There's more!

God sees every motive of the heart!! Men cannot see it. Satan cannot see it. And, given enough practice and familiarity with it, we cannot see it in ourselves.

How does one know the true motives of the heart?

Jesus said:

For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. [Matthew 12.34b]

The motives of a man's heart are evident through the medium of his words. It is the ear that discerns the heart of man, not the eye.

All one has to do in the book of Job is look back at the arguments - the seemingly endless torrent of words from Job and his 'friends' - that very clearly reveal their hearts' motives. In the case of Job, it is very obviously pride that reveals itself from Job's complaints of entitlement.

Job's eventual confession to God reveals all:

Then Job replied to the LORD, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” [Job 40.3-5]

Let's break down Job's confession, shall we?

"I am nothing..." indicates that beforehand, Job thought he was "something." Pride.

"How could I ever find the answers?" indicates that Job had previously thought he had the answers. Pride.

"I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already..." indicates that Job had spoken out of ignorance. Pride.

"I have nothing more to say..." indicates that Job finally acknowledged that his heart's sin was evident in his words.

So, yes, God sees everything I do and every step I take, but He sees so very much more. He sees my heart. And, although I may or may not be able to see my heart (or the heart of anyone else for that matter), if I will listen carefully to the words it produces, then I will learn its motives.

Father in heaven, help me to listen to the words I speak...