Never covet anything that belongs to your neighbour

There are some people who covet things of others during hard times. Some covet during easy times. While some people, covet all the time. No matter what time anyone covets, it will only be a bad thing to do. Read on to know why.

What does it mean to covet?

Some of you reading this might not be aware of the meaning of the word ‘covet’. So let’s see that is the definition of this which I have taken reference from dictionary.com

covetous (adjective)

• inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.
• eagerly desirous.

By the definition of what it is to be covetous, you’ll notice it’ about having a wrong desire towards having something that belongs to another.

The Bible condemns covetousness in all its forms.

Such wrong desires are already denounced by the Bible and here’s a verse about 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)

 

So you must be vary of covetousness each time. Don’t give any excuses about this. Ever!

 

Is it wrong to desire anything?

Now it’s not wrong to want to eat good food, earn a good salary, and even have a good spouse. In fact, you can pray to God about these things and wait upon him to grace you with a miracle for all your needs. This is true when you are not stealing from anyone nor taking away things from anyone by trickery or deceit.

 

What are the consequences of wrong or covetous desires?

What is wrong is having a desire to want something that belongs to another. Because such evil desires can lead to even bigger sins. The following verses confirm this:

• So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:6)
• Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever. (1 John 2:15-17)
• Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted with evil and he himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death. (James: 13-15)

 

From this we can understand:

• Covetousness itself is a sin.
• Covetousness is not from God.
• Covetousness can lead to bigger sins.
• And all sin leads to death.

 

If you have lived a life of covetousness, please repent of it unto the Lord Jesus Christ. Confess this and each sin unto to the Lord God and ask for his forgiveness. The benefits are yours to accept when you choose to repent and believe in the Gospel; eternal life and friendship with God in Jesus Christ.

 

Christ be with you!

 

Further reading:

1. • Pratice your faith (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
   • Do not covet another one’s spouse (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)
   • Do you discern? (disciplesofhope.wordpress.com)

Fancy not your neighbours spouse

Fancy not your neighbours spouse,
And so be not a louse,
Desire not what is forbidden,
And stay from dangers hidden.

Honour God’s Law unto the end,
And never lustful thoughts attend.
Take into account your soul,
Lest you forget your heavenly goal.

Adulterers to their spouses have not done well,
And their unrepentant lot are all in hell.
The price of being found in fornication is shame,
Long lasting regret can follow your name.

Entice not your neighbour to such sins,
For the profane have no eternal wins.
Be always in the wisdom zone,
For the consequences are of your own.

Focus on things wise all of your life,
And always be faithful to your husband or wife.
Be true to yourself, your spouse and unto God,
Over each place you’ll ever have to trod.

 

Quick Reminder : Do not commit adultery

• You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)
• If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10)
• Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”  11 “No, Lord,” she said.  And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” (John 8:10-11)
• [Jesus said:] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.