“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 neighbour’s.”
Exodus 20:17
In Romans 7 Paul explains what it means to
die to selfishness and sin, and to be committed to Christ. He makes the
statement that by being committed to Christ we are “delivered from the law”,
meaning we are freed, in Jesus, from the full consequences of the law (1 John
3:4; Romans 6:23). Then in verse 7 he asks an important question “Is the law
sin?” Immediately, he answers the question, “Nay, I had not known sin, but by
the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not
covet.” This is an excellent passage of scripture for the Christian walk, for
various reasons, the reason I’m focusing on today is its direct hit at the
heart of sin – covetousness.
The first four commandments we covered
outlined what love to God looks like. The next five look at our tangible love
relationship with our fellow human beings. This final commandment deals with
the heart, striking at the motivations that lead us to disregard or adhere to
the previous five commands. This commandment to me is the most vital of the
commandments demonstrating love for our fellow human beings. When we drive away
the spirit of envy and covetousness, we won’t disobey parents, kill, commit
adultery, steal or lie. Obedience to this command keeps our hearts in check
thereby ensuring that our actions are kept in line (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Sin began in Heaven, when a created angel
became displeased with his position in the Heavenly hierarchy. He envied the
position of the uncreated, eternal Son of God and desired to ascend above God
(Isaiah 14:12-14; John 1:1-5, 9-14; GC 493.3-494.1). When Satan was thrown out
of Heaven, he brought this self-serving spirit to the earth (Luke 10:18;
Revelation 12:7-9). He tempted the woman to nurture this spirit causing her to
also desire to become “as gods” (Genesis 3:1-6). This spirit of wanting what is
not ours is the foundation of the sinful world in which we now live.
I heard a pastor use this commandment once
to show that the Bible should not be read as literal, because it speaks
directly to men (thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife). I would suggest
that such a statement demonstrates the issue being tackled in this commandment.
Women of this age are clamouring for the same positions as men, when this is
not God’s design. Yes, regarding salvation we are all equal in the eyes of God
(Galatians 3:26-29). However, as it relates to structural organization men are
to be leaders (Genesis 3:16; Exodus 28:1; 1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6, 7).
Within our specific roles we are to be adherent to the law of God (COL 316.2).
This law is not giving women the free rein
to covet. If this law is adhered to properly covetousness will not be
perpetuated. For example: If a man does not lust after a woman who is not his
wife, adultery would not occur (Matthew 5:28). Even if a woman tempts a man who
is not her husband, when that man, assumes his God appointed role, and adheres
to this commandment, declaring “Woman you are not my wife!”, temptation has to
end; and sin will not be perpetuated (Genesis 39:9; James 1:12-15; COL 100.1). Not
gratifying the attention seeking desire of women who tempt men, will cause them
to stop their nefarious activity, thereby ending the vicious cycle of
temptation and sin (James 4:7). Stand firm in the Lord and keep always in a
state of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
In Love
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