Covetousness

The last of the Ten Commandments—against coveting is aimed directly at the heart and mind of every human being. In prohibiting coveting, it defines not so much what we must do but how we should think. It asks us to look deep within ourselves to see what we are on the inside.

Most of us do not realize how greed is stopping our spiritual growth and how necessary it is to overcome the deadly and deceitful sin of covetousness. The tenth commandment states, “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors’ house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbors’ wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbors’” (Ex. 20:17).

Man is covetous by nature. Jesus said so. “. . . That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness” (Mark 7:20-22). The Apostle Paul adds, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers” (Rom. 1:28-29).

I know myself I have wanted the same thing someone else has, rather it be a designer purse or the new car they have… I think most of us call it jealousy. Anyway, you look at it you are coveting. The word is clear that it is a sin to wish or want what someone else has. We have to be proud of what we have and be thankful for what the Lord has given to us. More so we have to realize that having materialistic items does not make us rich, in fact it can make you very poor if you do not have God in your life. The bible tells us that the rich will have trouble getting into heaven, have you not ever wondered why.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Ph’p. 2:5). The mind of Christ helps us to do the will of God and to resist the temptations of the flesh. Those who have God’s Spirit are the sons of God (Rom. 8:14). They are not controlled by the excessive desire to possess the goods and wealth of others (Rom. 8:4).

With God’s help, the sin of coveting can be overcome. The next time you go to buy something that you can’t afford think about this commandment and how it’s going against God’s will for your life to overspend and let the necessities in life go unpaid, just to keep up with the Jones’. I hope this gives you a better understanding of our tenth commandment covet. Please take all commandments to heart and know that disobeying one is as bad as another is.

Jesus watches over His sheep 24/7, He sees all. He loves you smuch, He forgives for this sin, just ask Him and start living your life according to HIS will.