Certain things creep up on us: Deadlines, expiration dates, and ever-growing weeds. Sin may catch us off guard, taking root without our notice and turning right into a choking, thorny weed. Before we realize it, we’re entangled. Any sin can crouch at our door, able to pounce or entangle us. But one which is usually neglected is coveting.
How often can we stop to think about what coveting entails and the way this sin affects our lives today? Too often, we read biblical verses like Exodus 20:17 or Deuteronomy 5:21 and go about our day with none further thought. Yet, Scripture tells us that covetousness has no place within the lifetime of a believer (Ephesians 5:3).
The Lord’s command to not covet goes beyond our actions to our motives and attitudes. He told the Israelites to not covet what others have, including their land, spouse, donkey, ox, and servants. Many of this stuff weren’t inherently fallacious. The problem was of their greedy desire for what didn’t belong to them, and which was forbidden.
People can covet or desire anything, not only what’s included within the biblical list. In the New Testament, for instance, Paul discussed how people can harm themselves through craving or chasing money (1 Timothy 6:10). Some Bible versions translate the word “craving” as “covet” (see KJV). We may desire the facility, prestige, or popularity that comes with wealth.
Recognizing the motive and attitude behind the sin of coveting is significant since sin comes from inside us (Proverbs 4:23; Mark 7:21-23). It will not be just in regards to the act of taking what belongs to others but greedily grasping for it. In our desire to own what God has said is fallacious and forbidden, we sin against Him and walk a path that can result in more problems.
Christians need this biblical reminder today just as much because the Israelites did through the time of Moses. We all can easily give into the will to covet what others have, considering our lives could be higher if we had their house, job, family, automobile, socioeconomic status, or possessions. To combat this temptation, we must recognize the areas and situations in modern life that encourage covetousness to take root in our hearts. Only then will we find a way to let the Gardener dig it out and work to stop it from growing again.
Here are five ways the sin of coveting creeps into our lives today.
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