The Tenth Commandment
by Joan Rono
I looked up in the Oxford dictionary the word COVET and found the meaning to be; ‘To want something very much, especially something that belongs to somebody else.’
The pressure in the world’s media today, amongst other things, is for the latest model of car, the best trend in clothes, the newest fashion in designer clothes and who is the richest and the most famous celebrity. The pictures in newspapers and magazines are used to advertise these things for people to desire and buy.
All these things are not all bad, but the attitudes of our hearts towards these things could be sinful. What goes on in your mind when you see someone with the latest car, a new house, clothes and other things, that you really want to have? What is your attitude towards wanting these things?
The tenth commandment gives us a guideline on what we should not do. We should not covet things that belong to other people. Then what should we do instead? Luke 11:9 says “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” God knows your needs and desires and He satisfies the desires of all living things. Look to Him and He will give you all you need. Psalm 37:4 says; ‘Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.’
Prayer: Thank You Father for You care about me and my needs and desires. Forgive me where I have coveted other peoples’ belongings. Help me to look to You and trust You for my needs. Thank You Lord. Amen.
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