But I Deserve That!

Exodus 20:17

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Bombarded by television, advertisements, and the latest trends, it is easy to get caught up in the “I deserve that” state of mind. Although many of us could not give a good definition for the word covet, most of us do it every day without even realizing it. We do it while sitting in front of the television, walking through the mall, and looking at our friend’s new car. It is best described as a “strong and deep desire for something that you do not have.” Discontentment, jealousy, and the mass consumption mentality of our society all serve as reminders that we continually break the Lord’s tenth commandment.

We don’t break the commandment because of our poor vocabulary though… we break it because we have a poor heart condition. God’s sovereignty means that both His wisdom and His provision are sufficient for you and for me. We need nothing other than our Creator to keep us going. Psalm 54:4 is but one of many verses that proclaim, “Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul.” When you and I covet another person’s possessions, we are telling God that He has not provided for us everything that we need. We are telling Him that we do not trust the decisions He has made regarding our lives.

In what ways are you guilty of breaking this commandment? What areas of your life require repentance for coveting that which the Lord has not given you? Ask the Lord to show you the ways you have been breaking His tenth commandment.