This is a part of the Command blog series where we’re talking about how the Ten Commandments aren’t just a dusty set of tablets with dumb rules . . . by a long shot!
I can’t believe this series is almost over! With this tenth command, that means we started this series ten weeks ago. I’ve really enjoyed digging into how these commandments affect us in the 21st century. Sometimes it’s too easy to put distance between ourselves and the Old Testament when, in reality, we’re missing the power of just how applicable it is despite how long ago it was written.
Coveting seems rooted in some of the other commands, and I wonder if it is the “culmination” of the ten commandments for this very reason.
I mean, just look at David. He lusted after Bathsheba (command 7) and therefore coveted her (command 10), lied to Uriah (command 9), murdered Uriah (command 6), and in essence stole Bathsheba (command 8).
All of this began in his heart, when he coveted her. The heart of coveting something is taking pleasure or delight in it. This word can be used positively and, in fact, often is in the Bible; but when that desire is rooted in loving something more than we love God (to the point of getting it in ungodly ways), thus lies the problem.
This makes me think of Psalm 73:25. (Note that the word here for “desire” is not used in the command as “covet.”) “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.”
Coveting says this verse to the face of the person or thing we want at the moment. It says, “Step aside for a moment, God; you saved my soul and love me, but for just right now I want to love this thing more than you.”
We covet SO. MANY. THINGS. People. Circumstances. Opportunities. Items. Appearance. Results.
I mean, honestly . . . what don’t we covet??
When you look at it this way, it can be scary. But this is when realizing WE CAN’T leads to the reminder that HE CAN. We can have victory in this by praying for God’s power to choose Him over ourselves.
Take a look at what you’re coveting and identify ways you could end up acting on those desires. Making a plan and realizing your own weaknesses helps lead to future success.
PREVIOUS POSTS
- No. 1: I am an idol worshiper
- No. 2: Worshiping what I’ve done
- No. 3: 3 ways we take God’s name in vain
- No. 4: What you need to know about the Sabbath (this one has turned out to be quite controversial . . . we have some good discussion going on!)
- No. 5: Why honoring your parents is more than putting your laundry away
- No. 6: Thou shalt not murder . . . or dislike??
- No. 7: How single people commit adultery
- No. 8: Things we steal
- No. 9: Ways we lie
