Joshua Bennett
Coveting is a sin that underpins the Ninth and Tenth Commandments. The Ninth Commandment forbids coveting another person, such as another's wife or husband, and the Tenth Commandment forbids coveting the possessions of others. Coveting is a desire for something that is not ours, and covetousness is the craving for something we do not own. It is a sin that can lead to other sins, such as lying, stealing, and adultery. To fight covetousness, one must have faith in God and believe in His promises. This means believing in God's Word and trusting Him, rather than chasing worldly possessions. Prayer and gratitude can also help resist the lure of envy and covetousness.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Covetousness is a breeding ground for other sins | Heightened warning to flee and fight it with all our might |
| Opposite of covetousness | Contentment in God |
| Fight against covetousness is a fight of faith | Obey the Ten Commandments |
| Coveting is a heart issue | Coveting is possible without anyone else knowing |
| Way to fight covetousness | Believe in God's providence and have faith in Him |
| Way to fight covetousness | Pray for God's forgiveness and guidance |
| Way to fight covetousness | Incorporate prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving into daily life |
| Way to fight covetousness | Recognize and acknowledge what we tend to covet |
| Way to fight covetousness | Redirect covetous selfish desires to love of God and neighbor |
| Way to fight covetousness | Confess covetousness to God |
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What You'll Learn
Recognise and acknowledge covetous thoughts and desires
Recognising and acknowledging covetous thoughts and desires is the first step in fighting the sin of covetousness. Coveting is a desire for what belongs to others, and it can lead to evil desires and actions. It is a sin that can be committed in thought, and it is possible to be struggling with coveting without anyone else knowing.
Coveting can take many forms, from desiring another person's spouse, to wanting a new car, or even just craving a McDonald's for lunch. It is a craving for something we do not own, and it can be a struggle for many people. King David in the Bible, for example, coveted another man's wife, which led him to act in a way that was detrimental to both himself and others.
The first step to fighting covetousness is to recognise and acknowledge these thoughts and desires. This can be a difficult process, as it involves confronting the depth of our covetousness. We must examine our conscience and confess our sinfulness. We need to identify what we tend to covet and then make a firm commitment to purge our hearts of these selfish desires. This can be done through prayer, virtue, and God's grace.
It is important to remember that not all desires are sinful. The Catechism of the Council of Trent distinguishes between desires that are permitted and those that are forbidden. It is not sinful to desire food and drink, or to seek warmth when cold. These lawful desires were implanted in us by nature, but due to the original sin of our first parents, they can become depraved and excite us to desire things that conflict with God's will.
To summarise, fighting covetousness starts with recognising and acknowledging covetous thoughts and desires. By doing so, we can then take steps to replace these desires with a love of God and our neighbours.
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Believe in God's promises and trust in Him
The Bible offers several ways to fight the sin of covetousness. One of the most important is to believe in God's promises and have faith and trust in Him.
Covetousness is a sin that stems from a lack of faith and a loss of contentment and satisfaction in God. It is a desire that leads to a division of the heart, with love for God being replaced by a love for money or worldly possessions. As 1 Timothy 6:10 says, "The love of money is the root of all evils."
To combat this, Christians are encouraged to put their faith and trust in God and His promises. This means believing that God is truthful and righteous and that His promises are reliable. It involves turning away from worldly desires and instead seeking contentment and satisfaction in God alone.
The Bible is filled with God's promises, which provide comfort, hope, and perseverance for believers. These include the promise of forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9), eternal life with God (Romans 6:23), and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:10). God also promises to provide a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) and to be with us always (Matthew 28:20).
By meditating and reflecting on God's Word, praying, and seeking to know Him through prayer, reading the Bible, and community with other believers, we can strengthen our trust in Him and His promises. This trust will increase our confidence in approaching God and bring glory to Him.
In summary, fighting covetousness involves actively trusting in God's promises, seeking contentment in Him, and turning away from worldly desires. This battle against covetousness is a fight for faith and a fight to keep our hearts contented in Christ.
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Do not covet your neighbour's wife or husband
The Catholic Church considers the prohibition on coveting in Deuteronomy 5:21 and Exodus 20:17 to encompass two commandments, which are numbered the ninth and tenth. The ninth commandment forbids "the interior, mental desire or plan" to commit adultery, which is strictly forbidden by the sixth commandment. The Catechism of the Catholic Church connects the command against coveting with the command to "love your neighbour as yourself".
The ninth commandment prohibits carnal concupiscence or lust, specifically the "interior, mental desire or plan" to commit adultery. Jesus reinforced this in the Sermon on the Mount, stating: "Every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This commandment is concerned with the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, emphasising that covetous desires create disorder by exceeding basic human needs and driving individuals to unjustly desire what belongs to another.
The tenth commandment prohibits greed and the fixation on material possessions. This commandment summarises the entire Ten Commandments by focusing on the intentions and desires of the heart. It forbids "lust of the eyes", which can lead to the violence and injustice prohibited by the commandment "You shall not murder".
Covetousness is a breeding ground for other sins and is associated with unbelief. It involves desiring something so intensely that one loses their contentment in God, seeking fulfilment elsewhere. To combat covetousness, individuals are exhorted to exercise choice and discipline, shifting their thoughts away from fleshly desires and passions and towards charitable thoughts toward their neighbour.
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Do not covet worldly possessions
The sin of covetousness is a common struggle for many, as it was for King David who coveted another man's wife. Coveting is a state of unbelief and a breeding ground for other sins. It is a desire that leads to evil thoughts and actions, such as anger, greed, deception, and cheating. The Tenth Commandment forbids coveting the possessions or profits of others, and the Ninth Commandment forbids coveting another person.
To fight the sin of covetousness, one must recognise and acknowledge their selfish desires and then make a firm commitment to purge their heart through prayer, virtue, and God's grace. It is important to include God in your desires and to have faith in Him and His promises. By confessing our covetousness to God, we can receive forgiveness and the gift of Him, which brings true happiness. We should also incorporate prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving into our daily lives to focus on lasting treasures rather than worldly possessions.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church offers insights on the Ninth and Tenth Commandments to help redirect thoughts away from coveting. It is important to remember that not all desires are sinful, as it is not sinful to desire food, drink, warmth, or comfort. However, when desires conflict with God's will and become more important than Him, they become sinful and lead to idolatry.
In conclusion, to fight the sin of coveting worldly possessions, one must recognise their desires, include God in them, have faith in Him, and focus on gratitude and lasting treasures. By doing so, one can find true happiness and avoid the destructive path of covetousness that leads to lying, stealing, and other sins.
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Do not be envious or jealous of others
The sin of covetousness is a breeding ground for a thousand other sins. It is a state of unbelief, where one loses their contentment in God and seeks it elsewhere. This can lead to a cycle of greed, deception, and cheating, which can result in more serious sins such as lying, stealing, and adultery.
To fight covetousness, one must first recognize and acknowledge what they tend to covet. It is important to understand that coveting is a heart issue and can be done without anyone else's knowledge. By confessing covetousness and seeking forgiveness, one can find freedom and happiness in God. It is crucial to include God in our desires and ask for what we need, rather than chasing worldly possessions that will leave us feeling empty.
The Ninth and Tenth Commandments provide guidance on coveting, emphasizing the importance of curbing envy and lust. Additionally, incorporating prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving into daily life can help resist the lure of envy and keep us focused on lasting treasures.
Faith is essential in battling covetousness. We must have faith in God's promises and trust in His Word. Instead of seeking contentment in worldly possessions or status, we should seek righteousness, godliness, faith, love, and steadfastness. By focusing on our faith and God's truth, we can overcome the sin of covetousness and its destructive consequences.
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Frequently asked questions
Covetousness is the sinful desire for something that is not yours. It is a craving for something you do not own and is considered a sin when it becomes an idol that replaces God.
Recognizing and acknowledging what you tend to covet is the first step. Then, make a firm commitment to purge your heart through prayer, virtue, and God's grace. Redirect your desires towards God and your neighbors. Believe in God's promises and have faith in Him and His Word.
The Ninth Commandment forbids coveting another person, such as someone else's wife or husband, and the Tenth Commandment forbids coveting possessions. The Bible also states that covetousness is a breeding ground for other sins and can lead to division, anger, and chaos.
