TENTH COMMANDMENT: Protects You From Sinning Against Yourself

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)

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

Covetousness hurts the coveter directly, and often later others.

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 (John 8:34-36).

The devil appeals to pride, covetousness, and self-deceit.

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).

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?

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.

Covetousness is a sin against one's self.