I have loved this journey through the 10 Commandments. I love how there are layers upon layers of truth in God’s Word. I hope you have enjoyed seeing how these commands are telling us what we should not do, but also revealing God’s Character to us. He loves us so much, that through each command he gives a piece of His character to us.
17 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
What does the “covet” mean?
The Hebrew word here literally means “desire.”
Desire is not always bad. God has created many good desirable things in the world and He wants us to enjoy them. But sin broke God’s good world and desire can be twisted toward evil desire and jealousy. It can take a good thought and turn it evil.
For example, your best friend just got a brand new car. A good thought is, good for them! But evil can turn this thought into Ugh, look at her car. She doesn’t deserve that. I should have that car instead of her.
Evil desire is thinking that someone else got the blessing that should have been ours.
How do we move towards good desire? We can’t, not on our own. Our hearts have to be transformed by Jesus. When we trust in Christ, receive His gift, we are then filled with the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus transforms our heart and we begin to live out two of the most overreaching and transformative commands:
36 “Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”
37 He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” Matthew 22:36-40
This is the only way for our desires to turn toward good things instead of coveting.
If we love God and are secure in the knowledge that He loves us, we remember that He showers us with good things: loving relationships, hope, strength, and peace. We rest, knowing, He is always taking care of us and we do not have to jealously chase after the gifts He gives to others.
If we love our neighbor, we desire good things for them and God can even use our work in Him to make those good things happen. Instead of responding with bitterness and jealousy, our hearts overflow with joy when other receive blessings. In the Kingdom of God, one person’s happiness does not detract from another’s; it multiplies it!
Today, think about and ask yourself, have any of your relationships been damaged by coveting? How can God work reconciliation in that relationship?
Rooting out jealousy is hard! It takes an honest, sometimes painful, self-reflection. Jealousy and coveting does not unit the body of Christ, instead it divides it.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15
20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of people’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immoralities, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, greed, evil actions, deceit, self-indulgence, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a person.” Mark 7:20-23
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long will I store up anxious concerns within me,
agony in my mind every day?
How long will my enemy dominate me?
3 Consider me and answer, Lord my God.
Restore brightness to my eyes;
otherwise, I will sleep in death.
4 My enemy will say, “I have triumphed over him,”
and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in your faithful love;
my heart will rejoice in your deliverance.
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he has treated me generously.
Psalm 13:1-6
Part 1: God’s Holiness Revealed
Part 2: Depending on God
Part 3: Image of God
Part 4: What is in a Name?
Part 5: Resting in God
Part 6: Lifelong Honor
Part 7: Living in Unity
Part 8: Following a Faithful God
Part 9: Work and Generosity
Part 10 Honest Justice
Part 11: Transformed Hearts
It Starts Small 
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