THOU SHALT NOT COVET
Memorise:
But fornications, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Ephesians 5:3
Read: Ephesians 5:3-7, (KJV)
Bible in one year: 1st Timothy 1-6, Psalms 21
MESSAGE
Today,
we will examine one of the Ten Commandments; covetousness. The sin of
covetousness is a cluster of many sins that sets man against his Maker.
Upon the sin of covetousness hangs many other sins like stealing, sexual
immorality and murder, hence the law:
"Thou
shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy
neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox,
nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neigbour's."
Exodus 20:17
David,
a God-fearing soldier, king and prophet fell because of covetousness.
He coveted Bathsheba, his soldier's wife; and went from one form of sin
to another. Covetousness led him to adultery and adultery led him to a
murderous act. When someone is caught in the sin of covetousness in the
area of alcohol, he gets drunk and what next? Foolish taking and jesting
that are not convenient become inevitable. The Bible says:
"Look
not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the
cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a
serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange
women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things."
Proverbs 23:31-33
Coveting
your neighbour's possession can lead to murder. The reason for this is
that when someone covets his neighbour's estate, and is unable to get
it, he may resolve to kill the rightful owner to have it. This was the
case in Ahab and Naboth's story (1st Kings 21:1-16).
Ahab organised a feast where Naboth should be framed up and killed by
the scheme of his wife, Jezebel. Immediately the plan was hatched, the
Lord sent His prophet to go and deliver His judgement upon Ahab. It was a
judgement of vengeance.
"…
Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And
thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place
where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even
thine."
1st Kings 21:19
Beloved, let us beware of the sin of covetousness as Jesus warned in Luke 12:15-20.
The man in that story was boasting about what he possessed but that
same night God required his soul from him. Our Lord then asked who those
things he had acquired shall be for. Think about it and you will
discover that covetousness is not worth it after all. (28 July 2016 open
heavens)
Action Point
Think of those things that entice you to acts of covetousness, pray and avoid being possessed by them.
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