December 13: THE TENTH OF TEN

Now we come to the last Commandment: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17) This temptation is the kind that really sneaks up on you and catches you and you are surprised that you have been caught “coveting”. Basically, it is the battle between greed and thanksgiving. Clearly we must establish that our satisfaction is in our relationship with God and not in any material thing or person. Taking preventive measures would help us not to yield to this temptation. There are a lot of helpful verses for our defense:
Luke 12:15 Has JESUS SAYING, “ Take heed and beware of covetousness; a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of things he possesses.” Mark 8:36 asks, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” “Put to death covetousness, it is idolatry”. (Colossians 3:5) If we get our minds fixated on a person or things, they literally become a god to us and we begin to worship them with our desires for them. This is a dangerous route: the desire for money leads to theft, the desire for prestige leads to evil ambition, the desire for power leads to tyranny, the desire for a person leads to sexual sin, and the desire for freedom leads to dissatisfaction.
Coveting is the opposite of the “desire to give” on which the home and family are built. Homes that have been destroyed by coveting can be reclaimed if Christ is allowed to be the Head of the House and direct the feelings and actions of all family members. Paul’s personal testimony is a good guide: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11) He describes it as a learning experience. Coveting is a natural part of the non-Christian life because you are living for self. Being born again changes the life drive. But the “old you” remembers what it was like to covet and get results and Satan is sure to remind you. So, as you grow in Christ, you learn that contentment is more satisfying than coveting.
Coveting can cause you to lose all of the meaningful relationships in your life. People will discover what your motivation in life is and they will fear what you might become. Confess this sin every time that you discover that you are guilty and do it immediately.

“Teach us, Lord! Lead us to a depth of understanding that if we have a
relationship with You that all other needs we have will be met. Amen”