Advertisements influence our lives daily. We are told that our present life situation is not “good enough.” There is always something newer, better, faster than what we already have. We live in an “upgrade age.” We are constantly told that we need to upgrade what we have.

This mentality causes people to do some crazy things. Back in 1991 in Houston, Texas, Wanda Holloway was the mother of a vibrant junior higher named Shanna. This mother wanted her daughter to be on the cheerleading squad. It got so bad that she paid her ex-brother-in-law $5000 to kill the girl that beat Shanna out and her mother.

Do not covet your neighbor’s house. Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Exodus 20:17 (CSB)

What is Coveting?

Many people hear the word “covet” and immediately begin to think about the negative. The truth is coveting is not wrong necessarily. The word, “covet”, literally means “to want or crave or pant after something.”

We are creatures that have been created with desires. There are certain things that we know that we need. Desiring those things is not wrong per se. If you were thirsty and were craving water, that would not be a sin. That is your body craving something that is needed.

Coveting becomes wrong when our wants get out of line. We may not need certain things, but we may want them to an unhealthy point.

Many of the previous commandments have to do with our actions towards another person. This commandment deals with the intentions of the heart.

“for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”

Matthew 6:21 (CSB)

The same word that is used for coveting is also used in other important places of the Bible.

1. Eve was in the Garden of Eden with the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6)
2. The prodigal son was feeding the pigs (Luke 15:16)

It is important to remember that sin doesn’t just happen. It has its beginning in the mind with our desires.

No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

James 1:13-15 (CSB)

Things We Should NOT Covet

As we look at Exodus 20:17, we see some things that we are not to covet: our neighbor’s house, spouse, servants, animals, etc.

Like we said earlier, there is nothing wrong with seeing something that your neighbor has and wanting something similar. When that desire moves to desiring what belongs specifically to your neighbor, that is when it becomes wrong.

When the desire for what your neighbor has grows within your heart, you will begin to plot and do whatever is necessary to get those things. You have become a slave to the desires and are its beck and call.

Things We SHOULD Covet

As we said before, to covet means to desire to the point that we are panting for them. There are some things that we should desire this strongly.

God’s Word (the Bible)

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold – than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.

Psalm 19:9-11 (CSB)

We should desire the word of God desperately in our lives. It is the one tool that shines a light on our path and keeps us from sinning against God.

Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105 (CSB)

I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 (CSB)

Rest / Peace

Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28 (CSB)

Things in this life can get very stressful. You have so many things pulling you in so many directions. There is a rest that we need that can come in this life. This rest only comes when you place your faith in Jesus alone. In the words of Jesus, we are told that we should desire this rest.

God’s Will for Your Life

For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.

Galatians 5:17 (CSB)

We need to desire God’s will for our lives above all things. Jesus taught us this in the model prayer – “When you pray, say, ‘Father, Your name be honored as holy. Your kingdom come.’” (Luke 11:2)

Jesus showed us what this looks like in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was at the most critical point of history that Jesus had a decision to make – either go with God’s plan (the cross) or His own (walk away). He said those precious words found in Luke 22:42 – “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me – nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

Conclusion

When we covet the wrong things, we are saying to God, “You aren’t meeting my needs!” The truth is that God has promised to meet every single one of our needs, but He never says that we will get everything that we want.

Maybe we have been coveting the wrong things. Have you been looking at what other people have and seeking to have what belongs to them? Let us be content with what God has blessed us with.

If there’s something that we want, let us pray and work towards getting it. But let us have open ears to hear God when He says that sometimes what we want isn’t what we need. Let us have open hands on our wants because they may be more of a hindrance to us.

Have you been coveting more time with God? Why don’t you commit to reading and studying the Bible more? Why don’t you commit to seeking His will for your life more? These are the things that will lead to that peace that we are looking for. When we covet the things that God desires us to, we also find that everything we need is found in Jesus.