The Danger of Desiring What's Not Yours
The Commandments & Me • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsThis sermon explores the 10th commandment's warning against coveting and how it can lead us astray from God's best for our lives. We'll examine the root causes of covetousness, its damaging effects, and how we can find contentment in Christ.
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Invitation
Scripture Invitation
As we prepare our hearts for God's Word, I summon your senses and invite your intellect to the book of Exodus, chapter 20 verse 17, where the Holy Spirit has illuminated our focus for today.
Let us consider this final commandment and how it speaks to the desires of our hearts.
Bible Passage
Bible Passage
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.
Introduction
Introduction
The giving of the Ten Commandments was a pivotal moment in Israel's history.
After being miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt, the people of God were gathered at the base of Mount Sinai.
It was here that the Lord descended in fire and smoke, and with a voice like thunder, He spoke these commandments to His chosen people.
This was not just a list of rules, but a covenant - a sacred agreement between God and His people.
These commandments were given to guide them, to show them how to live a life that honored God and respected their fellow man.
And here, at the very end of this list, we find the 10th commandment - a command that deals not with outward actions, but with the inward desires of the heart.
"You shall not covet," God says.
You shall not yearn for, desire, or lust after that which is not rightfully yours.
In a world that constantly tells us we need more, that we deserve better, that our happiness depends on what we have, this commandment rings out like a clear bell, calling us to a different way of thinking, a different way of living.
But what exactly is coveting, and why is it so dangerous?
Why does God see fit to make this the capstone of His commandments?
First, We Need to Understand the Danger of Desiring What's Not Ours
First, We Need to Understand the Danger of Desiring What's Not Ours
At its core, coveting is a heart issue.
It's not just about wanting something; it's about wanting something that doesn't belong to you.
It's a desire that's out of bounds, a longing for something that God has not seen fit to give you.
The Bible gives us many examples of the dangers of coveting.
Think of Achan in Joshua 7, who coveted and took some of the devoted things from Jericho, bringing trouble on the whole nation of Israel.
Or King David, who coveted his neighbor's wife, leading to adultery and murder.
Coveting is dangerous because it's a form of idolatry.
When we covet, we're essentially saying that we're not content with what God has given us.
We're placing our desires above God's will for our lives.
As Paul warns in Colossians 3:5, "Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry."
Second, We Must Recognize the Root of Covetousness
Second, We Must Recognize the Root of Covetousness
But where does coveting come from?
At its root, coveting stems from a lack of contentment and a lack of trust in God's provision.
When we covet, we're saying that what God has given us is not enough.
We're doubting His goodness and His wisdom in our lives.
We're like the Israelites in the wilderness, who grumbled and complained even though God was miraculously providing for their every need.
The antidote to coveting is contentment.
As Paul says in Philippians 4:11-12, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."
True contentment comes from finding our satisfaction in Christ, not in the things of this world.
When we realize that we have everything we need in Him, the grip of covetousness begins to loosen.
Next, We need to understand that Coveting Corrupts Our Connections
Next, We need to understand that Coveting Corrupts Our Connections
Coveting doesn't just affect our relationship with God; it also damages our relationships with others.
When we covet what someone else has, we're no longer seeing them as a person, but as an object.
We're reducing them to what they have, rather than who they are.
Coveting breeds envy, jealousy, and resentment.
It can lead us to treat others poorly, to speak ill of them, or even to try to take what is theirs.
It's the opposite of the love and respect that God calls us to show our neighbors.
In contrast, when we're content with what we have, we're free to celebrate the blessings of others.
We can rejoice with those who rejoice, rather than being consumed with envy.
We can build others up, rather than tearing them down.
Finally, We need to understand that Christ Alone Can Cure Our Covetous Hearts
Finally, We need to understand that Christ Alone Can Cure Our Covetous Hearts
Ultimately, the only cure for a covetous heart is a heart that is fully satisfied in Christ.
When we truly grasp the depth of His love for us, when we understand the riches we have in Him, the things of this world begin to lose their luster.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
When we make Christ our first priority, when we chase after His righteousness above all else, we find that He meets our every need.
This doesn't mean we'll get everything we want.
But it does mean that we'll have everything we need.
We'll have the peace, the joy, the fulfillment that only Christ can give.
And in light of that, the things we once coveted begin to fade away.
Closing
Closing
As I close, remember that our God is a God who satisfies.
He is a God who provides for our every need, who gives us joy in His presence, who offers us contentment that the world can never give.
So when you find yourself in the grip of covetousness, when you find yourself yearning for what is not yours:
Remember that there is freedom in Christ
Remember that there is joy in Christ
Remember that there is peace in Christ
Remember that there is hope in Christ
Remember that there is contentment in Christ
Remember that there is fulfillment in Christ
Remember that there is satisfaction in Christ
Remember that there is abundance in Christ
Remember that there is more than enough in Christ
When the world tells you to chase after more, remember that you have everything you need in Christ.
When envy and jealousy rear their ugly heads, remember the love of Christ.
When discontentment whispers in your ear, remember the goodness of Christ.
When the desire for what's not yours grows strong, remember the sufficiency of Christ.
In every moment, in every situation, in every desire of your heart, remember that Christ is enough.
He is more than enough.
He is all you need.
So let us lay aside the covetousness that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
In Him, we find all we need.
In Him, we find true satisfaction.
In Him, we find the cure for our covetous hearts.
