“You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.”
James 4:2
The 10th is the low man on the commandment totem pole. It may have something to do with bad PR, being last in line, or whatever. When asked to recite the Big Ten, this is the one I'm most likely to forget. When Jesus recites some of the commandments to the rich young ruler, he leaves this one out, among a few others. Ironically, when the original schedule for 91of10 was sent to me, it was left out there, too.
I think the reason I tend to forget it is because I find it nearly (completely?) impossible to obey. The other thing is that it's the one commandment that has no upside if you disobey it. With stealing, at least you get something for yourself. Murder eliminates a perceived problem and lets the perpetrator get his aggressions out. Lying is very convenient when I'm caught in a difficult situation. Adultery . . . well, you get the point. Covet stinks in every way. All it gives you is a sick, depressed feeling because you're obsessing over something someone else has and you don't. Yuck.
The 10th commandment is also a “gateway sin." It often leads directly to theft, adultery, and murder and indirectly leads to all the rest! And as Rob said in his message, it draws us away from Jesus and His wonderful Gospel of reconciliation.
James 4:2
The 10th is the low man on the commandment totem pole. It may have something to do with bad PR, being last in line, or whatever. When asked to recite the Big Ten, this is the one I'm most likely to forget. When Jesus recites some of the commandments to the rich young ruler, he leaves this one out, among a few others. Ironically, when the original schedule for 91of10 was sent to me, it was left out there, too.
I think the reason I tend to forget it is because I find it nearly (completely?) impossible to obey. The other thing is that it's the one commandment that has no upside if you disobey it. With stealing, at least you get something for yourself. Murder eliminates a perceived problem and lets the perpetrator get his aggressions out. Lying is very convenient when I'm caught in a difficult situation. Adultery . . . well, you get the point. Covet stinks in every way. All it gives you is a sick, depressed feeling because you're obsessing over something someone else has and you don't. Yuck.
The 10th commandment is also a “gateway sin." It often leads directly to theft, adultery, and murder and indirectly leads to all the rest! And as Rob said in his message, it draws us away from Jesus and His wonderful Gospel of reconciliation.
In spite of the fact that we seem perfectly content to live with this sin (when was the last time you confessed it?) it could be one of the most important to keep. But as one commenter said in a response last week, what are we going to do about it?
Any thoughts? Please feel free to share them.
Prayer: Dear God, even when I forget about this commandment, you don't. Save me from covetousness that only leads to more and more sin and away from you. I have Jesus. What more could I possibly desire? Amen.
1 comments:
I'll suggest one possible approach to the problem. Follow the words of that old gospel tune:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
In other words, as has been said in other posts about other commands, don't concentrate on avoiding the sin. Instead concentrate on your Heavenly Father. He will make "the things of earth" fade by comparison. I find that I am preoccupied with "stuff" when I am not occupied enough with Him.
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