Covetousness and divine law are topics, today. Also, there is more on resisting sin. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers New Zealand” using the ID “2FollowHim” (Level 7 with 72,848 points, a member since 25 January 2010) posted the following originally asked at Yahoo Answers Canada:
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
Relationship with GOD, and what must occur to stop a person from sinning are considered, today. Also, there is more on miracles as sacred events. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers Canada” using ID “GoGoGo” (Level 1 with 138 points, a member since November 03, 2013) posted the following first asked at Yahoo Answers United States:
I asked God to stop me from sinning, why didn't he stop me from sinning?
I asked God multiple times to stop me from sinning, so far everything he tried didn't work. Why didn't God stop me? I mean he's well enough able to do that.
THE BATTLE AXE: Miracles are Sacred Events (12/20/2013)— (4.) Partly because of unbelief, mankind does not witness that GOD can perform miracles on a daily basis. Because sin has become entrenched as a feature of human existence, GOD (who is immutable and does not change), nonetheless may not operate as at the beginning. More than this, it has become dangerous for men to pray for miracles. In our human process, miracles are cited to display or endorse the accuracy and correctness of ones own beliefs, intellect, reason and thought. Thus, miracles pertain primarily to blessing, deliverance, rescue, and relief. However, more correctly understood, miracles are always visible demonstrations of divine authority, eternal purpose, and sacred will. Miracles are always actions that provide material and physical aspect to divine utterance made in prayer, or by proclamation, promise and prophecy. As recorded in the holy writings, miracles historically appear only when necessary for completion of divine objectives, particularly revelation, and the carrying out of judgment. Consider, then, of the two, the category the following miracles should appear under: the 10 plagues of Egypt; Ajalon; the slaying of Uzzah; water to wine; the draught of fishes; the feeding of the thousands; the barren fig tree cursed; the raising of Lazarus; the ascension of Jesus. For the miracles of redemption and salvation, GOD incarnate as Christ is given as our best and the only answer. (5.) The correct acknowledgment, response and testimony by those who witness miracles is to declare the name (we say, deeds and reputation) of GOD, ascribing to him (we say, giving) glory, honor, power, praise, reverence, thanksgiving, and worship. See again Ezekiel 28: 21-23, Matthew 9: 8, Matthew 15: 30-38, Romans 1: 20-22 and Romans 8: 28, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. (Hebrews 12: 1-8, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: How To Renew The Mind (11/22/2013); The Focus of Judgment? (12/09/2012); His Burden is Light? (12/10/2012); Does Everyone Go To Heaven? (10/28/2012); Magick and Prayers? (10/29/2012); Unanswered Prayers? (09/11/2012); When You Pray (09/12/2012); Sin Without Wrongdoing? (08/28/2012); On Religious Items (08/29/2012)
“GoGoGo”, here are a few points you may have overlooked that are important to Christian believers:
(1.) Where a person chooses to be in a right relationship with GOD through Jesus Christ they agree to be accountable for their own behavior and conduct, and to willingly conform to standards they trust are coming forth from GOD. Saying this another way, in a healthy, sound relationship both parties have to contribute, and do what is right. Believers stop themselves from sinning, and do not accuse GOD for their shortcomings and weaknesses. Believers accept that rain water makes you wet as a condition of life in the earth. Similarly, sin may dominate and influence awareness and self-will in created beings and living creatures; and only death effectively removes both those aspects of human existence at the same time.
(2.) Even relationship with our Creator requires that we express the person we are, once were, and hope to become. By truth, by lie, by strength, by weakness, we offer and share what and who we truly are trusting that divine love will meet us at the level of our humanity, and personness as a created being and living creature. In addition to the earthly birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, there will be ongoing, invisible and unseen divine acts for the benefit of those who believe.
(3.) Every believer born again through baptism (we could say, re-born having divine DNA as the result of sacred operations), also must experience and undergo multiple permanent changes, for they must grow and learn again containing divine substance, and in accordance with sacred purposes. Nonetheless, a believer must come to full maturity and perfection by gradually and regularly experiencing the challenges and growing pains of living in a carnal, material and social environment.
There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) The immense challenge to totally eliminate and remove sin can only be accomplished through multiple divine operations that include such elements as atonement, birth, death, forbearance, forgiveness, hope, joy, judgment, longsuffering, mercy, rebirth, resurrection, and sanctification. There must be a transformation that, in effect, renews the entire universe of GOD. Those acknowledging the ministry of Jesus Christ as risen Lord, begin their eternal life as immortal and incorruptible while still upon the earth taking on new awareness and new understanding.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.
If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? (John 3: 12, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
