Christians, why does God say in the commandments 'do not covet'?
I believe what God puts forward has good reasons, and we can know
them if we think about it.
What is wrong with 'coveting'?
What happens when people do covet?
THE BATTLE AXE: Resisting Sin (12/21/2013)— (5.) That we strive against sin in our individual life does not separate us from divine love. Rather, the struggle supplies a language and comprehension that serves as a common focus for our communication and sharing with the Almighty. Our Father in heaven cares, and lives in us and through us, just as parents oversee the development and achievement of artistic or athletic, and other skills in their children, take pride in their accomplishments, and commiserate with them in their disappointments and failures. In the same way those coming under alcohol addiction deny being overcome and made subordinate, men typically are unaware, and deny operating under the influence of sin. Many will concede and confess that they want a changed life, and need to do things differently. There can be no enduring or lasting change until they first acknowledge that their need is to return to GOD. (6.) For Christian believers the process of destroying sinful habits begins in prayer, however, not by calling for deliverance and complaining for relief. The desired change can not be achieved from the operation of ones self-will; escaping, and going outside of ones self is necessary. Saying this another way, the self must be exposed and seen unadorned. What is only inside, must continually appear outside as personal, demanding action, and unavoidable until right action is taken. Thus, a person must use thoughts and words to focus, frame and materialize their own intent. The intent is then repeated speaking aloud to oneself, repeated in public declaration, and maintained in print (using such devices as promissory notes, pledge cards, goal statements, progress charts, and action check lists). The intent must be carried into daily and regular action that responds to a specific person or group (e.g., agents of the church, and the Lord), who serve as a “co-laborer” and “fellow-traveler” that will accompany one in their journey. With prophecy (i.e., comfort, edification, exhortation), carefully selected companions provide correction, encouragement, feedback, perspective and witness that arises from outside of oneself, and from the Spirit of GOD. The believer must exist within an environment that continually reflects godly intent. (See Romans 6: 3-5, Ephesians 4: 22-32 and 2nd Corinthians 5: 17, KJV.)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. (Luke 12: 13-15, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Balaam (10/15/2013); My Brother’s Keeper (04/05/2013); Issues for Children’s Church? (04/06/2013); Prosperity Destroys Fools (09/25/2012); Life and Death (09/26/2012)
“2FollowHim”, here are a few points useful to Christian believers:
(1.) To “covet” is to repeatedly direct and fix ones attention (i.e., their feelings and thoughts) upon some carnal, non-spiritual event or material object. A broad mix of mental and physical activity results that may include various combinations of conflict, envy, fantasy, greed, imagination, lust, passion, self-destruction, and wastefulness.
(2.) As sin, covetousness opposes the continued existence of divine law, of divine person, and of all that has been created by GOD. Sin is no carnal, material, or spirit “thing” that exists; yet, sin may dominate awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures. Sin does not respond to human logic, reason, or science; and can not be eliminated or totally remove without divine operations that overturn the existing universe of GOD. Those who covet “forget GOD.”
(3.) Most TV advertising calls covetousness into operations; and seeks to arouse a desire for goods and products even when they are not needed, or useful. To desire an object you see because another person has it, to want one better than theirs, and to want one “better” than what you possess is often no more than covetousness. Similarly, continual dissatisfaction with oneself, ones education, ones employment, ones own home, marriage and relationships also can be the expression of covetousness.
There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Apart from sacred law and the many provisions of GOD that now include the imparted, indwelling Spirit, humans are not capable of recognizing sin as contrary and foreign to their inherited nature. Because sin arises from within, it appears to be an acceptable, authentic and harmless part of ones true self. One of the basic causes of war is covetousness.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.
There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. (Proverbs 19: 21-22, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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