by Rogath Henry | 26 April 2020 08:46 pm04
THE WARNING AGAINST COVETING
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” — Exodus 20:17
The Lord places great emphasis on this command: “Do not covet.”
And notice how it covers almost every area of what your neighbor owns.
The coveting spoken of here does not mean the desire to have something similar to what your neighbor has. Instead, it refers to desiring the very thing that belongs to your neighbor—wanting it for yourself and seeking every means possible to obtain it.
This is what God hates.
David coveted Uriah’s wife and sought every means to destroy Uriah so he could take her.
We know the consequences he suffered—grief, shame, and years of regret.
“So they spread Absalom a tent on the roof, and Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.” — 2 Samuel 16:22
David experienced humiliation when his own son publicly violated his concubines.
(Read the whole account in 2 Samuel chapters 11–18.)
Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard because it was beautiful and close to his palace. When Naboth refused to give it to him, Jezebel arranged Naboth’s death so Ahab could seize it.
Ahab did not repent. Instead, he immediately took possession of the vineyard.
“And the dogs licked up his blood… in the place where the dogs licked the blood of Naboth.” — 1 Kings 21:19
This is exactly how Ahab’s life ended—under judgment for coveting what belonged to another.
We must guard our hearts from this spirit.
A woman may visit her neighbor and admire her house-help: hardworking, peaceful, and skilled. Instead of seeking her own helper, she covets the one belonging to her neighbor and tempts her away with higher pay.
This is covetousness—and it brings consequences.
Another example:
A businessperson sees his neighbor prospering in a particular location. Instead of finding his own place, he covets that exact spot and offers the landlord higher rent to displace his neighbor.
This too is the sin of coveting.
This is why Scripture says:
“Or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” — Exodus 20:17
Nothing is excluded.
“But godliness with contentment is great gain.” — 1 Timothy 6:6
We must learn to be satisfied with what God has given us.
Ask yourself:
Does what I desire harm my neighbor in any way?
If yes, then abandon that desire—escape the curse and avoid judgment.
May the Lord bless you.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2020/04/26/do-not-bring-yourself-to-be-licked-by-dogs-through-the-sin-of-coveting/
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