TENTH COMMANDMENT: Protects You From Sinning Against Yourself

By COGwriter

Contrary to how the world views it, Jesus said:

15 Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses. (Luke 12:15)

Most modern people disagree. There have been articles stating that covetousness is good because it keeps the economy moving and other similar dribble.

In the New Testament Adam is called the “son of God” (Luke 3:38). This is because God created him. Adam was the son of God by a direct creation. Adam was not God’s son by regular human begettal or birth. Eve, was fashioned by God out of Adam’s rib (Genesis 2:21-23), and hence was not born the usual way.

Adam not only dishonored God, but he also broke the tenth commandment. There was also lust when the woman felt the forbidden fruit was good for food and desired to make one wise; vanity, egotism and pride entered into her heart (Genesis 3:6).

Lust is what usually causes a person to have an inordinate desire to have something that is not to be theirs. Lust was a problem for Lucifer.

Covetousness is basically what led to the modern world--the world not allowed back into the paradise known as the Garden of Eden.

Many feel that they need to ‘keep up with the Jones’ or are otherwise entitled to have more than perhaps they earn. Many go into debt as they covet approval of others and will buy items for show as opposed to need.

Christians should try to be content. The Apostle Paul wrote:

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

Much of the entire advertising industry is built on a desire to become rich, so much so, that it often promotes covetousness as good.

But covetousness is not only evil, but a sin against ourselves.

Covetousness results in the wrong focus.

And as the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, we do not take the riches of the world with us when we die.

The tenth commandment, from the Book of Exodus, states:

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul wrote:

7 ... I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. (Romans 7:7-8)

Covetousness is not an obvious sin to most.

Remember that Jesus said:

13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Many today do not think that they can sin with their minds--but they are wrong.

Christians are to be different and understand that we are not to covet.

Covetousness hurts the coveter directly, and often later others.

Societal Problems

There are many societal problems because of violating the tenth commandment:

Did you know that recent surveys have revealed that the financial troubles plaguing most families are not the result of low income? Rather, they are directly caused by overextending a normally adequate income for luxuries and personal indulgence, and by the American habit of installment buying!

"Buy now and pay later," say the advertisements.

But do you really need to buy this item now? And are you sure you will be able to "pay later"?

A Society Based on Lust 

"Keeping up with the Joneses" is a popular American slogan. High-pressure advertisements constantly encourage this idea. It is made to seem backward or wrong not to strive and compete and lust after as many material possessions as your neighbor owns. The modern idea is to "get all you can while the getting is good."

The incessant pressure to get ahead — which usually means to acquire more money and material property — has spawned more and more idolatry. It is blinding the minds and hearts of millions to the life of God.
Several years ago, a prominent religious publication, "The Canadian Churchman", ran a sobering article revealing the effect of this material idolatry on young African Christians studying in the United States and Canada. One such young man said: "Before I came to study here, I was a good Christian. I dreamed someday of becoming a medical missionary. Now I'm an atheist."

"Why?" asked the shocked interviewer.

"Since coming here," he replied, "I've discovered that the white man has two gods. One that he taught us about, and another one to whom he prays. A Presbyterian mission school taught me that the tribal doctrines of my ancestors who worshiped images and believed in witchcraft were wrong and almost ludicrous. But here you worship larger images — cars and electrical appliances. I honestly can't see the difference."

Surprising? It shouldn't be — except that most people get so close to their own sin that they can't see it. We live in a so called "Christian" society which is literally based on lust and greed for more and more material things! The frenzied effort to compete with others and get ahead is the source not only of most financial problems, but the real cause of much physical and mental illness, broken homes, frustrated lives. Most important of all, this form of idolatry leaves one with almost no time, strength or desire ever to become acquainted with the true God — whose living laws and ways alone would bring real inner peace and joy. ...

Of all the commandments, the tenth refers most specifically to man's relation to man.

The force of the commandment lies in these words: "Thy neighbour's ... thy neighbour's ... his ... his ... his ... his ... thy neighbour's."

This is a SEVENFOLD guarding of the interests of another. It is not wrong to lawfully desire a wife, a servant, or an ox or ass. But where the object admired is legitimately out of reach of the one admiring, admiration merging into desire to possess breaks the commandment. Although this commandment deals most obviously with human and physical relationships, the SPIRITUAL REQUIREMENT of the command is in some ways more rigid than any that has preceded it.

This command regulates even the thoughts in the mind and heart of man. Most men look on sin as an outward or physical type of thing. They do not realize that the holy, righteous character which God purposes in us necessitates that even our thoughts be completely purified and made like His. Action follows thought. What you think, you are. If you secretly reject God's standard and His way, if in your heart you lust after something which you either cannot or will not come to lawfully possess with His blessing, then-sooner or later — this mental rebellion will bring forth outward sin. The actions will then proceed to defy God — to break His law — because the thoughts have been doing this all along! This command pierces through all "surface Christianity" and shows whether a man has really surrendered his will to his Maker! It is a searching and fearful principle.

But it is a command you must learn to obey if you are ever to receive eternal life and glory in the Kingdom of God. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). Through God's Spirit in us, we must fight the fight of faith — put down the lustful human nature within us — and ultimately succeed in "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Cor. 10:5). This is the ultimate goal of the true Christian to be fully attained in the resurrection.

But we are to grow in God's character during this life. We must learn as did righteous Enoch, Noah, Abraham and other servants of the Most High to "walk with God." We must go His way — do as He does — think as He thinks. But the normal mind of man is filled with selfishness, vanity, competition, greed, hate, lust. It is a mind cut off from the ways and thoughts of God (Isa. 55:8, 9). That is why Jesus emphasized how important it is to get our minds changed, converted and cleaned up when He said: "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8). (Meredith RC. Ten Commandments booklet. WCG, 1972)

Covetousness is what leads to most crime, theft, wars, rape, adultery, and murder.

While modern societies act like lust is not a problem, it is.

Satan, War, and a Solution

Lucifer fell because of covetousness:

12 "How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!
13 For you have said in your heart:
'I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.' (Isaiah 14:12-14)

Lucifer became Satan and not only will he be defeated, people will be astonished that they fell for his influence:

15 Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol,
To the lowest depths of the Pit.

16 "Those who see you will gaze at you,
And consider you, saying:
'Is this the man who made the earth tremble,
Who shook kingdoms,
17 Who made the world as a wilderness
And destroyed its cities,
Who did not open the house of his prisoners?' (Isaiah 14:15-17)

Satan will learn that covetousness did not serve him.

Covetousness is a sin against ourselves, and there is a high price to pay. Covetousness is NOT a victim-less crime. The coveting one is the victim.

Satan has no real power over humans. Basically as the "prince of the power of the air," he encourages lust and covetousness:

2 ... prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh (Ephesians 2:2-3)

Satan has used covetousness as a temptation since the time of Eve (Genesis 3:6).

Many problems are because of covetousness:

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. (James 4:1-2)

In the above, James was actually writing about spiritual warfare (cf. James 4:3-6), but covetousness often causes physical wars as well. Yes, in addition to sinning against ourselves, covetousness contributes to, as well as causes, sins against others.

Consider that covetousness causes stealing, adultery, deception, and murder. Covetousness is the root of sin. The Apostle Paul wrote:

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10)

Notice that Paul did NOT write the money was the root of all kinds of evil, but love, lust, of it, is. Covetousness is greed and that is a root cause of sin.

Getting back to James, he actually gives a way to deal with covetousness and other sins:

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:6-10)

If you will humble yourself before God and resist the devil, God will lift you up and you will not need to be a slave to sin:

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? (John 8:31-46, KJV)

The devil appeals to pride, covetousness, and self-deceit. Satan does not want you to believe the truth.

Lust is coveting something you do not, or should not, have. Now in the tenth commandment it's defined as not coveting your neighbor's wife, your neighbor's house, your neighbor's donkey, and whatever else is your neighbor's. Lust in this sense is to covet what is not rightfully one's own.

Coveting

Notice something from the Old and New Testaments

31 Do not look on the wine when it is red, When it sparkles in the cup,
When it swirls around smoothly; (Proverbs 23:31)

28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)

Improper desire leads to sin:

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:12-15)

Notice that you are blessed if you resist covetous temptations. We also see that covetousness leads to death! Do not dwell on things you should not have. Thus, do not view pornography, horoscopes, or alcohol if you have a problem with it, or anything else you should not have.

The Apostle Paul was inspired to write:

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Consider that gluttony (Proverbs 23:21), adultery (Proverbs 6:27-29), drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18) and sexual immorality are harmful physically as well as sins against the body (1 Corinthians 6:18). Those who become slaves to lusts of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:16-21).

Beware of Covetousness

The old Worldwide Church of God put out the following article by Clayton Steep (Good News, 1983):

So warns God's Word. But what does it mean to covet, and how can we avoid doing so? Here's a practical look at the Tenth Commandment.

   Where does sin — the breaking of God's laws (I John 3:4) — begin? What is its origin, its starting point in your life?
   To be sure, you sometimes sin by accident, or through ignorance of the law.
   Maybe you didn't know that biscuit you ate during the Days of Unleavened Bread had baking powder in it. Or maybe when you were first learning about God's truth you worked late Friday evening, not realizing that the Sabbath begins and ends at sundown rather than at midnight.
   So, though you were transgressing one of God's laws, you weren't even aware of it. And you certainly didn't want to do it. Those things happen. They are sins, nevertheless.
   Most such sins are, however, relatively easy to repent of. Why? Because they do not involve an overriding inner desire on our part. We do not have strong feelings to contend with in such cases.
   But most of the sins we commit are not that way. They start out as a sentiment in the heart: jealousy, envy, hatred, rebellion or, in the case of the Tenth Commandment, a desire to do what we are not supposed to, or to have what does not belong to us.

Lust — the desire to get

   The Bible calls this desire "lust" or "covetousness." We may not even be consciously aware at the time that we are lusting, so deceitful are our hearts (Jer. 17:9). But lust is a basic part of our carnal natures. It is automatic. It wants to get for the self and acts like a giant magnet, drawing everything to it. It is the exact opposite of the desire to give. This pull within us — this lust, whether it is purposeful or not — opens and keeps open the door to sin (Jas. 1:14-15). Is it any wonder that Jesus Christ warned His followers to "Take heed and beware of covetousness" (Luke 12:15)?
   But how did such evil pulls come to be within us in the first place? Did God create a wicked nature and place it in us?
   No, our carnal natures are actually the result of satanic influence. We were born into a world that has a climate of evil. It is everywhere.
   Satan permeates the atmosphere with his rebellious, lustful, perverted attitude. He broadcasts it into our unsuspecting minds when we are very young, until we develop a carnal, lustful nature of our own. Satan does not cease trying to agitate and keep alive that evil nature by his broadcasting and persuasion.
   The point is, Satan is the real originator of lust and covetousness. Jesus told some unconverted people of His day: "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer [and what causes murder, killing, wars? Lustful desires — James 4:1] from the beginning" (John 8:44).
   It goes back to the beginning — before human history. Back to the time when Satan, as the archangel Lucifer, lusted for additional power. Not satisfied with what he had, he coveted more.
   It is not a coincidence that Satan is compared, in Ezekiel 27 and 28, to a greedy prince of Tyre. Tyre was an ancient commercial hub, as important in its time as London, New York or Tokyo is today.
   Tyre was a trading center. But trading to what end? To share? To give? No, to get. To obtain. To give as little as possible and to receive in return as much as possible. To make a huge profit at the expense of others, just as is done in the world today.
   Inferior products, cutthroat competition, deceptive advertising, crooked deals — it is all a part of the self-oriented "corruption that is in the world through lust" (II Pet. 1:4). And it all began with Lucifer.
   "You were blameless in your ways," God told Lucifer, "from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you" (Ezek. 28:15, Revised Standard Version).
   Notice one of the ways Lucifer's iniquity was manifested, leading to his downfall: "In the abundance of your trade ["multitude of thy merchandise" — King James Version] you were filled with violence, and you sinned... By the multitude of your iniquities, in the unrighteousness of your trade" (verses 16, 18, RSV).
   We may be sure that whatever "merchandise" he dealt with, whatever "trade" he was engaged in, it was done with the greedy, grasping, get motive, just as is true in the economic system he has palmed off on man's world. It is Satan's system! Finally Lucifer's covetousness and lustful ambition drove him to try seizing the very throne and ruling position of God Almighty.

The heart of the problem

   What a tragic thing it is to be driven by lust and greed! And yet that is what has motivated the world — Satan's world — from the time Eve was enticed into coveting the forbidden fruit up until today.
   It's the reason wars have been fought. It's responsible for the mass movements of history — the rise and fall of nations. It is the main reason most people get up in the morning — to get, to obtain, to procure for themselves.
   Jeremiah very accurately described the primary motivation of far too many people today: "From the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness" (Jer. 6:13).
   The Bible clearly associates lust with pride (vanity) (I John 2:16-17). Indeed, the Bible lists covetousness as one of the ways in which people are "lovers of themselves" (II Tim. 3:2).
   When the self is served and its desires pampered, it is exalted. It becomes a god. That is why the apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3:5 that "covetousness... is idolatry." See also Ephesians 5:5.
   God wanted His people Israel to be different. He called them out of the world, as He has called us, to be a separate people, not to follow the selfish, lustful "will of the Gentiles" (I Pet. 4:3).
   After giving Israel the first nine points of His great law, each of which could be fulfilled in the letter by a physical people, God gave as the 10th point a commandment that has to do with man's heart — his mind. That is where coveting takes place. It is a mental or spiritual act and involves more than the mere letter of the law.
   The Seventh Commandment forbids adultery. The Eighth, stealing. But the Tenth Commandment forbids even desiring to do these things. This commandment gets to the heart of where much sin really originates: "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's" (Ex. 20:17).
   No wonder physical, unconverted Israel could not keep the Tenth Commandment (I Cor. 10:6)! It was against their nature.
   Even the apostle Paul had to especially battle to keep this point of God's law. Years after his conversion he was still having to struggle to keep from coveting (Rom. 7:7-25). He concluded: "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal... O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" (verses 14, 24). The answer? "I thank God [it shall be] through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (verse 25).
   Paul goes on in the next chapter to show that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we must put down, mortify, the fleshly nature (verse 13), of which covetousness is such a basic part.

Priorities

   It is not wrong to want something. You can want a house or a wife or a husband or an ox or an ass or a maidservant or a manservant. But not your neighbor's! (Unless, of course, your neighbor wants to sell his ox or ass or house. Then it may be all right for you to want it, as long as you go about obtaining it in a fair and proper manner.)
   Coveting is an illegal or illicit desire to obtain. It is wanting that which is off limits. When something comes to mind and your feeling concerning it is "I want that," be quick to ask yourself whether it is truly available to you. Or is it something to which you have no right? If it is, you are entertaining a wrong desire. You are coveting.
   On the other hand, suppose the object under consideration is available to you, that there is no prior claim to it. You could still be guilty of coveting if your motive for acquiring it is selfish.
   It is right to want to better your living conditions, to improve the quality of your clothing, your dwelling, your diet. It is right to work for money in order to purchase these things. But why do you want them? That is an important key to determine whether or not lust is involved.
   Do you want them just for selfish reasons? Do you want to amass wealth purely for your own use and enjoyment? Do you want to get without giving or sharing in return? Do you worship material possessions? Do you set your heart on them? If so, that is coveting. And it is sin.

What are you after?

   It would benefit us all, in this age of desperate quest for physical luxuries, to stop often and really think deeply about Jesus' words: "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15). And again: "What is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (Matt. 16:26).
   God's way is the way of giving; covetousness is the way of getting (Prov. 21:26). What are you really after in this life? The Bible warns against setting one's heart on selfishly obtaining material wealth.
   "Do not overwork to be rich," Proverbs 23:4-5 instructs, "... for riches certainly make themselves wings." They don't last. "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out," explained Paul. Then he gave a vital principle: "And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content" (I Tim. 6:7-8).
   Covetousness is actually a manifestation of ingratitude. We should be thankful for what we have, rather than having our thoughts continually dwell on what we do not have. It just so happens that the more possessions human beings acquire, the easier it is to become wrapped up in coveting more.
   Paul continues: "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some [Christians!] have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (verses 9-10).

Seek what counts

   It isn't worth it. We have a far greater reason for being alive than the search for temporary pleasures. Paul reminded Timothy, "But you, 0 man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (verse 11). These are what count.
   Seek the real riches — God and His Kingdom and righteousness — first, "and all these things [the fulfillment of your needs — and even your wants and desires as it is good for you] shall be added to you" by God Himself (Matt. 6:33).

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The Last — But Not the Least by Richard H Wilkinson

   Not too long ago a prominent clergyman wrote that in all his years of listening to confessions, he had not once heard the sin of coveting confessed.
   Interesting. Could it be because, humanly, it is easy to think of the Ten Commandments as descending in order of importance, and to not take the Tenth Commandment as seriously as the nine before it?
   The last of God's Ten Commandments, "You shall not covet" (Ex. 20:17), is just as encompassing and significant as any of the others.
   The English word covet in the Bible is translated from seven different words that illustrate the different forms coveting may take. Let's look at the meanings of these words.
   1) That which is not ours. The word usually translated "covet" means to desire in a negative way, to want what is not rightfully ours. This is the Hebrew word used in Exodus 20:17; the verse speaks of our neighbor's property.
   An interesting example of the use of this word is in Exodus 34:24, where God promises ancient Israel: "I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the Lord your God three times in the year."
   God promised to protect His people's property from the greed of their neighbors if Israel would obey Him and keep His festivals. When Israel didn't keep God's Holy Days, God did not protect them from this basic form of human covetousness (Judg. 2:11 -23).
   2) Dishonest gain. Another word often translated "covet" has the connotation of wanting something but not being willing to pay the price for it. It is not necessarily that the object of desire could not rightfully be ours, but we want it dishonestly. Ezekiel speaks of princes of Israel who were " like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain" (Ezek. 22:27). The phrase dishonest gain is translated from this second word.
   Gambling, in its various forms, reflects this kind of coveting when it is based on the human desire to get and yet avoid paying the price.
   3) Wanting for the wrong reasons. A third Old Testament word for "covet" means wanting something for the wrong reasons. It is in this sense that the prophet Amos wrote, "Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord" (Amos 5:18). We can desire a good thing for wrong reasons.
   4) Overvaluing the physical. In the New Testament we find instruction regarding another kind of coveting: setting too high a value on some physical thing. Paul wrote, "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel" (Acts 20:33).
   In Genesis 25:29-34 we see this attitude displayed in Esau's desire for Jacob's pottage. Hebrews 12:16 warns us against being a "profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright." The word profane here means not putting enough value on the proper things, and especially the things of God.
   5) Wanting more and more. Ever heard the expression, "Some people are never satisfied"? One of the words translated "covet" in the New Testament comes from a root meaning "to get more," "to overreach," "to be moved by greed."
   It is not wrong to exercise diligence and the principles of success, but God's Word clearly says that a dissatisfied attitude — one of always desiring more — is only another form of covetousness. Paul used this word when he wrote of "covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:5 ).
   6) Obsessive desire. Another word used in the New Testament refers to a deep desire. A desire is not wrong of itself (see I Timothy 3:1), but this word can also reflect an inordinate or obsessive desire.
   Paul used this word when he wrote to Timothy, "The love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (I Tim. 6:10, Authorized Version). The desired object, money, is not wrong, but any physical desire that becomes an obsession leads to ruin (verse 9).
   7) Envious desire. This seventh word translated "covet" is used in Acts 17:5 to describe certain Jews at Thessalonica who became "envious" of Paul. The same word is found in James 4:2: "You murder and covet and cannot obtain."
   Envy and jealousy are almost always the result of a covetous attitude. If we find such feelings in our lives, we should do everything we can to overcome them and develop right relationships with others.
   God wants us to bring our human desires under control through the guidance of His law (II Cor. 10:5). But that does not mean that we should ignore our proper needs and wishes. Rather, we need to learn to look to God as the provider of all good things (Jas. 1:17).
   The truth is that to the degree we seek God He will supply not only our physical needs and our mental and emotional desires, but also even our highest spiritual aspirations (Ps. 37:3-6). To covet is to forget that God desires to bless us with even the desires of our own hearts.

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How Should the Ten Commandments Be Numbered? by Clayton D Steep

   In some religious circles the Ten Commandments are not numbered correctly. According to this erroneous but widespread system, the Sabbath commandment is the Third Commandment instead of the Fourth, the commandment against adultery is Sixth instead of Seventh and so forth.
   How did this happen?
   The different method of numbering came about in the fourth century after Christ, when Augustine devised a new method of counting the Ten Commandments by combining the First and Second Commandments of Exodus 20:1-6.
   But in reality, the first two commandments refer to two distinct principles. The First Commandment forbids the worship of false gods. The Second Commandment forbids the use of pictures, images or statues in worship.
   In order to retain a total of 10 commandments (see Deuteronomy 10:4), Augustine divided the Tenth Commandment. According to Augustine commandment number nine was, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house." Then, the Tenth Commandment was, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife... " etc.
   This is a totally artificial division. In quoting the Ten Commandments, the apostle Paul made no distinction between coveting your neighbor's house and coveting his wife — one principle.
   In Romans 7:7, Paul said, "For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, 'You shall not covet.'" See Romans 13:9, where Paul listed "You shall not covet" as a separate command.
   The law about coveting constitutes one commandment — the Tenth. This is the correct way to number the Ten Commandments — the method Jesus, the apostles and the Jews have always recognized.

As far as numbering of the Ten Commandments goes, in the early third century, Clement of Alexandria listed most of the Ten Commandments (note, he left out two commandments-- 3. cursing and 9. false witness):

The first commandment of the Decalogue shows that there is one only Sovereign God...

The second word intimated that men ought not to take and confer the august power of God (which is the name, for this alone were many even yet capable of learning), and transfer His title to things created and vain, which human artificers have made...

And the fourth word is that which intimates that the world was created by God, and that He gave us the seventh day as a rest, on account of the trouble that there is in life. For God is incapable of weariness, and suffering, and want. But we who bear flesh need rest. The seventh day, therefore, is proclaimed a rest...

Now the fifth in order is the command on the honour of father and mother... Then follows the command about murder... This is followed by the command respecting adultery... And after this is the command respecting theft... And the tenth is the command respecting all lusts (Clement of Alexandria. Stromata, Book VI, Chapter 16).

The Church of Rome seems to have changed its numbering of them after influence from the 5th century Augustine of Hippo. The Lutheran Church also accepts the Augustine numbering.

Anyway, the tenth commandment prohits covetourness.

Third Major Snare

The late evangelist Dibar Apartian wrote the following that was originally published old the Good News magazine in May 1983 of the old Worldwide Church of God:

How to Escape Satan’s Three Major Snares

What causes a seemingly solid, balanced, deeply converted Christian to turn from God’s way of life? Could it ever happen to you?

From time to time, sad to say, we all hear of cases in which true Christians burn out, sour on God’s Work or are caught up in some problem or movement that takes them out of God’s true Church. ...

Let’s look at three broad areas through which Satan works to trap and destroy God’s people — cause them to lose out on their chance at salvation!

The spirit of rebellion

Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), is rebellious toward authority. He wants you to be like him and to follow his example. He will set all kinds of stumbling blocks before you to make you fall.

Swayed by his own ambition, he turned against God, fought and lost (Isa. 14:12-14). He also wants you to turn against God, fight and lose!

He will, therefore, do anything in his power to make you rebel against authority — whether at home, at work or in God’s Church. He will do everything he can to work on your emotions and put all kinds of doubts in your mind. ...

The snare of pride

Another of Satan’s snares, one that affects us all, is pride. Satan will tempt you by working on your pride and vanity.

You don’t always realize it, but pride is potentially one of your biggest pitfalls. ...

Covetousness

The third major snare of Satan is covetousness. Satan wants you to covet — to go after something that is not yours, or to which you are not entitled. Humanly speaking, covetousness appeals to our nature. We want to get rather than give, to have and keep for ourselves rather than share.

God actually spelled out, in the Tenth Commandment, a whole list of items after which we should not covet (Ex. 20:17). Be sure to read the article entitled “Beware of Covetousness!” beginning on page 17 for a full explanation of this Tenth Commandment of God.

In Satan’s world, everything is geared toward lust — false publicity, sex, material wealth. The media encourage you to covet: You are given many vain but appealing reasons to buy things you don’t really need, or to lust after things that are neither right nor good for you.

Are you guilty of breaking the Tenth Commandment? Are you deceived by Satan’s snare of encouraging you to covet?

There is danger in much wealth, just as there is danger in much poverty. In both instances Satan can effectively use this tool of covetousness.

God has promised to never forsake you. If you let Him fight your battles… you will never have to fear Satan’s snares. They will have no power over you. Satan will be powerless…

Agur said, under God’s inspiration: “Two things I request of You (deprive me not before I die): Remove falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches — feed me with the food You prescribe for me; lest I be full and deny You, and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God” (Prov. 30:7- 9).

Do you pray this way when you are asking God to supply your needs? If you have everything you want, you may deny God and turn away from Him, claiming you don’t need Him anymore! And if you have too little, you may allow Satan to make you judge and condemn, and you may even end up stealing.

Christ taught us to ask God for our daily bread — just what we need from day to day (Matt. 6:11 ).

This will help us not to fall into temptation. It will teach us to trust God — and not to set our hearts on material things, which are temporary (Eccl. 5:10).

Remember Christ’s warning: You cannot have two masters. If you lust after wealth or anything else, you will actually be trying to serve two masters.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Keep your life free from love of money [covetousness], and be content with what you have; for he has said, ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you'” (Heb. 13:5, Revised Standard Version).

Be courageous

God has promised to never forsake you. If you let Him fight your battles, and if you resist evil with His Spirit, you will never have to fear Satan’s snares. They will have no power over you. Satan will be powerless — totally disarmed.

Perhaps you had not thought of it before, but those who leave God’s Church let themselves fall victim to these three major snares of Satan: They rebel against God’s authority; they are too proud to admit they are wrong; and they covet power, material possessions or personal glory.

Be courageous! Act and live as a true Christian. Ask God daily to help you, and do your part in fighting against Satan’s three major snares: the spirits of rebellion, pride and lust.

Your victory over them will put you on the way to the Kingdom of God!

Gambling

Gambling is often a form of covetousness. While ‘gaming’ can have some entertainment value, most who gamble are coveting what they are not entitled to.

What about lottery tickets?

Overall, lotteries are a ‘tax’ on the poor, as they are the ones most likely to purchase lottery tickets. Many of the poor feel that their circumstances cannot be changed, so they may as well buy lottery tickets and hope that winning will solve their problems. This is a tremendous disincentive to the poor. One should work, tithe, and try to improve one’s skills to benefit themselves and others—placing trust in lotteries is not the way people should go.

For more information, check out the article: Gambling and Sin: Is it a Sin for Christians to Gamble?

Arguments Against the Ten Commandments?

Arguments Against the Ten Commandments?

Although Martin Luther endorsed his idea of the Ten Commandments, various Protestant leaders (as well as the group calling itself Jehovah’s Witnesses) have claimed that the Ten Commandments were done away, mainly based upon misunderstanding writings from the Apostle Paul.

The Apostle Peter warned, even in his day, that people were twisting the Apostle’s Paul’s writings:

14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation — as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.

17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; (2 Peter 3:14-17)

Peter was warning that there are those that will be misled by people who claim to believe the Bible. He also warned that true Christians need to be blameless. Those that keep God’s commandments are ‘blameless’ (Philippians 3:6; Job 1:1, 23:12). Those who do not, are not.

The twisting of Paul’s writings occurs today as many claim that his writings somehow prove that the Ten Commandments are not in effect for Christians.

The basic arguments against the Ten Commandments are that they are burdensome (though the Bible teaches otherwise in 1 John 5:3), they were nailed to the cross, and that Christians are to love which fulfills all the commandments.

Yet, these people which rely on distorted understandings of scriptures that have been normally translated by others fail to consider that the apostles and their early followers did NOT believe that the Ten Commandments were done away. Hence, anyone who tries to tell you the opposite is ignoring the “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). The Bible teaches that “saints … are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12).

Nailed to the Cross?

Some teach that the Ten Commandments have been nailed to the cross:

The Ten Commandments: Christ Nailed to the Cross (Worley W. The Ten Commandments: Christ Nailed to the Cross. 1959).

The Ten Commandments were given to the Jews; and when Christ came and died they were all nailed to the cross (Taylor CL. The marked Bible. 1922, p. 53).

The keeping of the Sabbath as commanded on the tables of stone was nailed to the cross ... The Sabbath of the ten commandments had its mission (Orr C. The Gospel Day: Or, the Light of Christianity. 1904, pp. 336-337).

There is only one scripture that uses the “nailed it to the cross” expression (AV/NKJV/NJB):

13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)

It was the handwriting of requirements that were “nailed to the cross.” Which requirements were wiped out?

It appears that two ‘requirements’ were wiped out. One would be the requirements of the Levitical priesthood (Hebrews 9:1,6-10).

And why?

4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins ... 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all. (Hebrews 10:4,10)

The other (which is related) would be the death penalty, as “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23) or other specific ceremonial penalties associated with the Old Testament statutes (such as making a sin offering or washing). The wages of sin, including covetousness, is death--do not sin against yourself!

That said, please understand that the expression "the handwriting of requirements" (cheirógrafon  toís  dógmasin) is a Greek legal expression that signifies the penalty which a lawbreaker had to pay--it does not signify the laws that are to be obeyed--only the penalty. It is only through the acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that the penalty was wiped out ("the handwriting of requirements"). But only the penalty, not the law!

Even Protestant commentators realize this. Notice what Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible states about Colossians 2:14:

Whatever was in force against us is taken out of the way. He has obtained for us a legal discharge from the hand-writing of ordinances, which was against us (v. 14), which may be understood,
1. Of that obligation to punishment in which consists the guilt of sin. The curse of the law is the hand-writing against us, like the hand-writing on Belshazzar's wall. Cursed is every one who continues not in every thing. This was a hand-writing which was against us, and contrary to us; for it threatened our eternal ruin. This was removed when he redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, Gal 3:13. (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition, 1991)

Some will argue that you still cannot keep the Ten Commandments (for “all have sinned”), even if they are all mentioned as being in effect after the crucifixion. Does this mean one should not try?

Furthermore, let's look at another translation:

14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14, NASB)

The handwriting of requirements (often also called the hand-writing of ordinances) or certificate of debt was wiped away and nailed to the cross.

16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them. (Hebrews 10:16).

God’s laws should be a way of life written on our hearts.

If Christians were not to keep the Ten Commandments, the Apostle Paul would not, for example, have been inspired to write the following:

11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person. (1 Corinthians 5:11)

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Christians are to keep the Ten Commandments and not accept someone as a real Christian who does not.

There are some other verses some point to as ‘proof’ that Christians do not need to keep the Ten Commandments that we will look at.

Notice the following:

4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 7 But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. (2 Corinthians 3:4-9)

Someone referring to that wrote:

Reference is made here to a code that was “engraved in letters in stones” and it is said that “the sons of Israel could not gaze intently at the face of Moses” on the occasion when it was delivered to them. What is this describing? Exodus 34:1 shows that it is the giving of the Ten Commandments; these were the commandments engraved on stone. Obviously these are included in what the scripture here says “was to be done away with.”

Two points: First, there was a change from the Levitical ministry and its animal sacrifices. Second, the ministry of death included the written death penalty, which was NOT listed on the tablets engraved with the Ten Commandments. The administration of death was inscribed on large stones after crossing the Jordan (Deuteronomy 27:2-8). As far as engraving or inscribing the laws, commandments, statutes, and judgments goes (Deuteronomy 26:16-18), this was basically done on large stones that had a type of white plaster on them (cf. Deuteronomy 27:2, KJV).

In the Church of God, we do not administer the death penalty to people nor sacrifice animals for sin. Christians are supposed to forgive men of their trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15). We are not to take revenge (Romans 12:19), but are to rely on God to deal with those who violate His laws or harm us (Romans 12:18-21).

Notice the following from the Bible and how someone improperly interprets this:

6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not!

On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. (Romans 7:6-12)

No Christian really feels that Paul was teaching that covetousness was fine for Christians. Paul was saying that Christians are to better serve the law (in the spirit, like Jesus taught with the beatitudes in Matthew 5-6), and that the law defined sins, like covetousness, that he would not naturally have considered to be sin.

Strangely, the following was actually sent to this author as supposed “proof” that the Ten Commandments were done away:

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

The above says that the Ten Commandments show love, not that they are not in place. One does not fulfill the law of love by murdering, committing adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, and coveting.

While the above only had the last five commandments, consider the following:

20 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (1 John 4:20-21)

We show love towards God by keeping the first five commandments as well.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

27 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28)

Does anyone really think that after Jesus said that, He wanted to free men to lust and that He did away with this with His death?

Obvously not.

Covetousness does not show love towards God or one's neighbor.

The Psalms Teach that the Commandments Are Truth

The Bible makes it clear that the law of God and the commandments of God are truth and righteous, and are tied to salvation, but that the wicked are far from God's law, truth, and righteousness.

Notice several verses from Psalm 119, written by David:

10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word.
126 It is time for You to act, O LORD, For they have regarded Your law as void. 127 Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.
144 The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness; They are far from Your law.
151 You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth.
152 Concerning Your testimonies, I have known of old that You have founded them forever.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
163 I hate and abhor lying, But I love Your law.
165 Great peace have those who love Your law
166 LORD, I hope for Your salvation, And I do Your commandments.
172 My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.

In Acts 13:22, David was praised as a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). David kept and promoted God’s commandments. Notice also:

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. (Psalm 111:10)

Christians do and live God’s way. Love is NOT just a feeling. Love is showing outgoing concern for others. The Ten Commandments help us know right from wrong.

While the basic Church of God view is that the commandments show love, the basic Protestant view (followers of William Tyndale notwithstanding) seems to be that the law contained in the ten commandments is done away and that they (most Protestants) show love apart from the law.

David, a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14), wrote:

8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8)

God’s law is not within our hearts if we are not striving to obey.

The Bible teaches that Jesus was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Certain Protestants feel that since they cannot do that, they are relying on Jesus when they do not even try to keep God’s commandments—that is lawlessness. In the

Church of God, we believe we are to imitate Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:1) and strive for perfection as He taught (Matthew 5:48)—this is NOT salvation by works, but understanding the wisdom of God’s plan and the value of His laws.

In the view of the Church of God, the cause of many of the problems people now experience is because they have rejected God's governance over their lives, including keeping His laws.
The main Protestant view seems to be that most of the problems people have are because they live on the Earth, and that for some reason other than obeying God's commandments, paradise--which they define as being in heaven--will be better than Earth.

But it is the obedience to the loving laws of God that will be paradise. It is not floating away on some cloud and seeing God--see also The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? 

All will be able to see that obeying God's way works in the millennium (Revelation 20:4-6; Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-4).

Tenth Commandment Before Sinai, from Jesus, and After Jesus’ Death

The Bible shows the tenth commandment was in place before Mt. Sinai:

“So when the woman saw...a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate” (Genesis 3:6). “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5); because this law was in effect God decided to destroy humankind with the flood (Genesis 6:7). “The enemy has said, “My desire (KJV “lust”) shall be satisfied on them” (Exodus 15:9). “Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness” (Exodus 18:21). “I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman?” (Job 31:1). “If my heart has been enticed by a woman, or if I have lurked at my neighbors door, then let my wife grind for another, and let others bow down over her. For that would be wickedness; yes it would be deserving of judgement” (Job 31:9-11).

Jesus taught and expanded the tenth commandment:

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on” (Matthew 6:25). “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts...These are the things which defile a man” (Matthew 15:19-20). “... covetousness... All these evil things come from within and defile a man” (Mark 7:22-23).

After Jesus was resurrected, the New Testament taught the tenth commandment:

“being filled with all unrighteousness...covetousness” (Romans 1:29). ”You shall not covet” (Romans 7:7). “You shall not covet” (Romans 13:9). “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is...covetous” (1 Corinthians 5:11). “nor covetous...will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:10). “we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted” (1 Corinthians 10:6). “you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). “For this you know that no fornicator...nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God” (Ephesians 5:5). “Therefore put to death...covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). “For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness” (1 Thessalonians 2:5). “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have” (Hebrews 13:5). “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber” (2 Peter 2:3). “You lust...and covet” (James 4:2).”They have a heart trained in covetous practices and are accursed children” (2 Peter 2:14). “For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).

Satan thrives on covetousness. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

Covetousness is not a victim-less crime.

Sociery has been greatly harmed by covetousness.

Covetousness is a sin against one's self.

Thiel B. TENTH COMMANDMENT: Protects You From Sinning Against Yourself. COGwriter (c) 2025 https://www.cogwriter.com/tenth-commandment-covteousness-is-a-sin-against-self.htm