SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1138

“Covetousness”

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 classic definition of covet is to desire something wrongfully without any regards for the rights of others. We covet when we desire someone’s position, property or possessions with the attitude that we deserve it more than they do.

God’s Word equates covetousness with idolatry. It is an attitude of heart that is not satisfied with God’s provision and will for us thereby making it sin.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you…For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. – Colossians 3:5 – Ephesians 5:5

We often lump covetousness with envy and jealousy and although related, they are distinctly different. Envy wants what others have and motivates you to get it to ‘keep up with the Joneses’.

Jealousy is a vengeful emotion that transitions out of envy. It not only wants what others have but it desires that they do not have it until you have it also. It can spur us to sinful acts against others.

Covetousness is the only one of the Ten Commandments that deals with a matter of the heart rather than an action. Like envy and jealousy it wants what others have but in your heart you feel more worthy to have it than the other person. For example: being passed over for a promotion – can you be genuinely glad for the other person? In a game of chance, another person wins the grand prize – can you be genuine in congratulating them?

Coveting not only breaks the tenth commandment it also violates the Greatest Commandment to love.

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:36-40

Covetousness is the quiet, secret sin that harbors in our hearts. Outwardly, we smile and say we are happy and glad for the relationships, position or possessions that others are blessed with while inwardly we feel discontented with our lot in life. We feel we deserve it also if not more than others and we begin to question God’s love for us.

Jesus cautioned us to be on guard against covetousness.

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” – Luke 12:15

May you trust in the Lord and seek His presence continually. Abide in Him and the Holy Spirit will empower you to guard your hearts and minds against covetousness which will steal your joy.