Certain things creep up on us: Deadlines, expiration dates, and ever-growing weeds. Sin can also catch us off guard, taking root without our notice and turning into a choking, thorny weed. Before we know it, we are entangled. Any sin can crouch at our door, ready to pounce or entangle us. But one that is sometimes overlooked is coveting.
How often do we stop to think of what coveting entails and how this sin affects our lives today? Too often, we read biblical verses like Exodus 20:17 or Deuteronomy 5:21 and go about our day without any further thought. Yet, Scripture tells us that covetousness has no place in the life of a believer (Ephesians 5:3).
The Lord’s command not to covet goes beyond our actions to our motives and attitudes. He told the Israelites not to covet what others have, including their land, spouse, donkey, ox, and servants. Many of these things were not inherently wrong. The problem was in their greedy desire for what did not belong to them, and which was forbidden.
People can covet or desire anything, not just what is included in the biblical list. In the New Testament, for example, Paul discussed how people can harm themselves through craving or chasing money (1 Timothy 6:10). Some Bible versions translate the word “craving” as “covet” (see KJV). We may also desire the power, prestige, or popularity that comes with wealth.
Recognizing the motive and attitude behind the sin of coveting is vital since sin comes from within us (Proverbs 4:23; Mark 7:21-23). It is not just about the act of taking what belongs to others but greedily grasping for it. In our desire to possess what God has said is wrong and forbidden, we sin against Him and walk a path that will lead to more problems.
Christians need this biblical reminder today just as much as the Israelites did during the time of Moses. We all can easily give into the desire to covet what others have, thinking our lives would be better if we had their house, job, family, car, socioeconomic status, or possessions. To combat this temptation, we must recognize the areas and situations in modern life that encourage covetousness to take root in our hearts. Only then will we be able to let the Gardener dig it out and work to prevent it from growing again.
Here are five ways the sin of coveting creeps into our lives today.
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1. Discontentment
We are more prone to desire the wrong things or what others have when we are discontented. This could be because we are struggling financially, do not have the type of life we want, or are in challenging circumstances. Other times, though, people can grow discontent if their days are predictable and seemingly boring. Regardless, being unsatisfied and ungrateful for what we already have can lead us to covet.
For example, a Christian who is barely making his monthly expenses could see the lives of others and become unsatisfied with his scarcity of resources. If left to grow and take root, this sense of discontentment produces a sinful, coveting attitude. This Christian may find himself wanting what a friend or neighbor has and despising them because he does not have the same level of income. The problem is not that this Christian wants a better standard of living but that he grows to hate others and desires what does not belong to him.
Scripture tells us that “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6, NIV). We cannot take wealth and possessions with us in eternity. The pursuit of accumulating money for the sake of wealth is also pointless because money has a reputation of disappearing as quickly as it is obtained (Proverbs 23:5). Whether we are rich or poor, contentment with what God has provided is the cure for coveting (1 Timothy 6:8). In the strength of Christ, we can be content in whatever situation we find ourselves (see Philippians 4:11-13).
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2. Comparison
Social media has made it easier than before to peer into the lives of others. However, a lot of what we see can be deceiving. With editing tools and filters, people can change the way they look and present an image that is vastly different than their real lives. So many of us see these posts and reels and begin to compare ourselves to others.
When we start holding ourselves up to those we see online, we can feel bad about our appearance and abilities. Envy takes root, and before we know it, we have developed a covetous spirit. We may become obsessed with achieving a certain look or body image in the desire to look like a friend or influencer. Coveting the person’s clothes or other possessions could be a part of this obsession. Or we could want a certain artist’s skill to paint or an author’s ability to weave words. Our abilities seem minor in comparison, and we become focused on obtaining the skills of those we envy online.
To cut off the temptation to compare ourselves to others and covet what they have, we must remember who we are in Christ. Every person is wonderfully and fearfully made, a unique masterpiece created by our Lord (Psalm 139:14; Ephesians 2:10). We might not have the trendy look that is promoted online, but we can know that God created us in His image and have worth in Him (Genesis 1:27). As believers in Jesus, we have abundant life and fulfillment (John 10:10). No number of items or clothes will satisfy us as Jesus does.
Instead of greedily desiring what others have and envying them, let us love and pray for them (Romans 13:8-10). If we remember that our worth is in Christ, then we will not compare but instead celebrate the unique and diverse contributions and gifts of others. In this way, love for God and love for others dispels a covetous attitude.
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3. Distraction
There are many things to distract us in this technological age. We cram our days with activities and screen time. In quiet moments, it is easier to pull out our phones, turn on a song, or watch a movie than meditate on Scripture or pray to the Lord. Our distractedness often turns us away from Him.
When we allow other things to draw us away from God, we open ourselves up to temptation, including the temptation to covet. We see products and lifestyles represented in the media and begin to desire them. Soon, we give into the lie that having certain things – like someone else’s spouse, our neighbor’s car, or our coworker’s position – will satisfy us. Our focus strays from living for the glory of the Lord, and we cease thinking about Him or His Word.
If we find ourselves ensnared by the sin of coveting, we must direct our eyes back to the Lord (Colossians 3:2-3; Hebrews 12:2). True and lasting fulfillment can only be found in Him. As David wrote in the Psalms, “The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need” (Psalm 23:1, NLT). Knowing that Jesus is all we need combats the sinful desire of wanting something that does not belong to us.
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4. Misguided Ambition
Wanting something is not always wrong. We can have legitimate desires that intermingle with our dreams and goals in life. For example, a person may have the goal of starting a family one day, cultivating a creative career, or starting a ministry. There is nothing inherently wrong with these things. All of us have dreams for the future.
Problems arise, though, when those desires become so strong that we look at others who possess what we want or have achieved our goals and covet their possessions and positions. According to the Bible, greed and covetousness are equal to idolatry (Colossians 3:5). If we are not careful, we can set our dreams and goals on a shrine and start to worship them. We will then naturally covet anything related to our idol.
This area is especially sneaky because we do not always pause to consider our motives or actions when pursuing a dream. Our goal may even be virtuous. However, anything can be misplaced in life, including good things. Dreams should never have priority over our relationship with Christ.
If we keep our fists clenched over dreams and desires, unwilling to open them for the scrutiny of our Lord, then we have already let these things become idols. We must be willing to make our goals loosely, in submission to the will of God. His plans for us may look vastly different than our own. As Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go” (CEV).
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5. Materialism
Lots of Christians are blind to the way their surrounding culture and society influences them. In the West, we wear popular brands of clothing, carry the latest version of the iPhone, and often own more than one car. Again, these things are not inherently wrong, but they do reveal that we have been influenced by materialism. We own things we do not necessarily need and continue to accumulate more. Those in other parts of the world would assume we are rich – even if we make an average income. And in many ways, they are correct since we have more than enough.
Our society encourages us to spend our money on the latest trending items. No exact point exists where people stop and say, “I have enough.” We are encouraged to chase after more – whether more money or possessions. If we are not mindful of the way we view and use items, the temptation to covet can creep in through this emphasis on materialism.
Christians are called to live in thankfulness to the Lord (Ephesians 5:20). A spirit of gratitude clears away thoughts of desiring more, for in giving thanks, we are content with God’s provision. We know we have all we need in Him.
Gratitude also helps us turn away from society’s emphasis on materialism since grateful individuals are usually more generous. In praising God for His blessings, we are eager to bless others. Christians are wise to practice what Scripture commands: “[G]ive thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV). A heart filled with gratitude to the Lord leaves no room for covetousness.
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Originally published Tuesday, 09 July 2024.