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Thou Shalt Not Covet: Uncovering the Meaning – Viral Believer
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Thou Shalt Not Covet: Uncovering the Meaning

Introduction

Covetousness is a common human experience, but it is one that the Bible warns against in the Ten Commandments. As Christians, understanding the meaning of “thou shalt not covet” and applying it to our lives is essential for spiritual growth and fostering a heart of contentment.

In this blog post, we will delve into the significance of this commandment, examining its context and practical implications for believers today.

Using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible as our reference, we will explore various aspects of covetousness, and how it can impact our relationship with God and others.

By the end of this post, you will gain a deeper understanding of this important biblical principle, and be equipped with practical tools to combat covetousness in your own life.

Key Takeaways:

  1. “Thou shalt not covet” is the tenth commandment, found in Exodus 20:17.
  2. Coveting involves a strong, unhealthy desire for something that belongs to someone else.
  3. Covetousness can lead to other sins, such as envy, theft, and adultery.
  4. Contentment is the antidote to covetousness, and it can be cultivated through gratitude and trust in God’s provision.
  5. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to resist covetousness and live in contentment.

The Tenth Commandment

The commandment, “thou shalt not covet,” is found in Exodus 20:17, where the Lord speaks to Moses on Mount Sinai. Here, God provides a set of moral and ethical guidelines for His people, known as the Ten Commandments.

The NKJV reads: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

This commandment addresses the inner desires of our hearts, rather than focusing on external actions. It teaches us to guard against nurturing unhealthy desires that can lead to sinful actions.

Understanding Covetousness

Covetousness is an intense, unhealthy desire for something that belongs to someone else. It goes beyond simple admiration or appreciation and can manifest in various forms, such as desiring another person’s possessions, relationships, or status.

In the Bible, covetousness is often associated with idolatry. Colossians 3:5 states, “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

When we covet, we place our desires above God’s will and provision, essentially worshipping the created thing rather than the Creator.

The Dangers of Covetousness

Covetousness is dangerous because it can lead to other sins. For example, Achan’s covetousness led him to steal valuable items from Jericho, resulting in severe consequences for the entire nation of Israel (Joshua 7).

Furthermore, covetousness can lead to envy, as we see in the story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4).

Another example is King David’s coveting of Bathsheba, which ultimately led to adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11). These stories demonstrate the destructive nature of covetousness and the importance of heeding the commandment to not covet.

Cultivating Contentment

The antidote to covetousness is contentment. In Philippians 4:11-12, the apostle Paul writes,

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Contentment is a state of mind that allows us to be satisfied with what we have, rather than constantly desiring more.

Cultivating contentment involves practicing gratitude for God’s provision in our lives. Recognizing and giving thanks for what we have helps to shift our focus away from what we lack.

Additionally, trusting in God’s sovereignty and goodness can help us resist the temptation to covet what others have.

Another way to foster contentment is by focusing on the eternal rather than the temporal. When we set our minds on things above (Colossians 3:2), we are reminded that earthly possessions and status are fleeting, whereas our treasures in heaven are everlasting.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

As believers, we are not left to fight covetousness on our own. The Holy Spirit indwells us, providing the power and guidance needed to resist temptation and live in contentment. In Galatians 5:16, Paul exhorts us to “walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

By submitting to the Holy Spirit’s leading, we can overcome covetousness and live in accordance with God’s will. As we grow in our relationship with God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, our desires will increasingly align with His desires.

Guarding Our Hearts

Proverbs 4:23 instructs us to “keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Guarding our hearts against covetousness is an essential part of maintaining spiritual health.

This involves monitoring our thoughts, desires, and motives, and intentionally directing them toward God and His kingdom.

One practical way to guard our hearts is by limiting exposure to influences that may foster covetousness. This could include avoiding media that promotes materialism or envy, or surrounding ourselves with people who encourage godly values.

Another strategy is to regularly practice self-reflection and repentance. By examining our hearts and confessing any covetous thoughts or desires to God, we invite His cleansing and renewing work in our lives (1 John 1:9).

Serving Others

An effective way to combat covetousness is by serving others. When we shift our focus from ourselves to meeting the needs of others, we not only grow in compassion and empathy but also in contentment.

As Jesus taught in Matthew 20:28, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.”

Serving others can take many forms, such as volunteering at a local charity, offering a listening ear to a friend in need, or using our resources to bless those less fortunate.

As we practice generosity and selflessness, we find that our own desires for material things often diminish, and our hearts become more attuned to God’s priorities.

Conclusion

Understanding the meaning of “thou shalt not covet” and its significance in our lives is crucial for spiritual growth and the development of a contented heart.

This commandment teaches us to guard against unhealthy desires that can lead to sin and destruction, while reminding us to trust in God’s provision and goodness.

Cultivating contentment through gratitude, trust, and a focus on eternal things can help us resist the temptation to covet. As we submit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and allow Him to work in our hearts, we can experience the joy and peace that come from living in contentment.

Guarding our hearts, serving others, and relying on the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence are essential components of a life marked by freedom from covetousness.

By embracing these practices, we can develop a deeper relationship with God, foster stronger connections with others, and enjoy the abundant life that Jesus promised in John 10:10.

As we strive to live in obedience to the tenth commandment, may we be ever mindful of the importance of guarding our hearts against covetousness and pursuing contentment in all areas of our lives.

In doing so, we can experience the transformative power of God’s grace and the joy of living in alignment with His will.

Let us continually seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, empowering us to resist covetousness, cultivate contentment, and ultimately reflect the character of Christ in our daily lives.

As we grow in our understanding of “thou shalt not covet” and its implications, may our lives be marked by an ever-increasing love for God and a genuine concern for the well-being of others.

In this journey towards contentment, remember that we are not alone. Our loving Heavenly Father walks with us every step of the way, providing the strength and wisdom we need to overcome temptation and live lives that honor and glorify Him.

So let us press forward, trusting in His unfailing love and grace, as we seek to live out the truth of “thou shalt not covet” in our everyday lives.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.