Thou Shalt Not Covet

Thou Shalt Not Covet

Text: Exodus 20:17; Luke 12:15; Colossians 3:5
Theme: Scripture exposes coveting, shows its ruin, redirects desire toward holy aims, and provides the path to freedom by seeking God’s kingdom.

Introduction
The world often celebrates appetite for more, yet Scripture presses a sober question: when is enough, enough? From the first temptation in Eden, the pattern appears—seeing, desiring, taking—and the consequences follow. God addresses this deep struggle with a clear command, a host of warnings, and a gracious way forward. Our task is to understand coveting as the Bible defines it, trace its patterns and outcomes, learn the desires God commends, and embrace the practices that break coveting’s grip.

What Coveting Is
The tenth commandment says, “You shall not covet” (Exodus 20:17). Coveting is a heart-level craving for what God has not granted or has forbidden. The psalmist prays, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness” (Psalm 119:36), showing that desire can be trained toward God’s word. Wisdom refuses to place enticing evil before the eyes or let wickedness cling to the inner life (Psalm 101:3–4). The law itself taught Paul what coveting is, and once the commandment came, he saw how sin stirs many evil desires (Romans 7:7–8). Coveting lives in the will and imagination; it moves the hands only after it has captured the heart.

Patterns and Consequences of Coveting
In Eden the serpent questioned God’s word; Eve saw that the tree was good for food, pleasant to the eyes, and desirable for wisdom; she took and ate, and Adam with her (Genesis 3:1–6). Desire swelled, trust collapsed, and exile came. Achan followed the same pattern in Jericho: “I saw… I coveted… and took,” and Israel suffered for it until his sin was exposed and judged (Joshua 7:19–25). Jesus warned a petitioner who wanted his inheritance: “Take heed and beware of covetousness,” then told of the rich man who built bigger barns and spoke ease to his soul; that night his soul was required (Luke 12:13–21). Coveting rarely travels alone; it draws theft, deceit, hardness, and sorrow into its path.

Why Scripture Calls Covetousness Idolatry
Paul names covetousness “idolatry” because the heart gives devotion to created things and begins to serve them (Colossians 3:5–6). The first commandment rejects other gods, and the tenth exposes the rival altar hidden within (Exodus 20:3, 17). The early church treated persistent, open coveting with gravity among other public sins because souls are at stake (1 Corinthians 5:11). When people turn from God, Scripture says God gives them over to the lusts lodged in their hearts (Romans 1:24). For this reason believers are urged to guard the heart with diligence, since the springs of life flow from it (Proverbs 4:23).

Holy Desires the Lord Commends
Scripture also presents godly longing. Jesus declared His fervent desire to eat the Passover with the apostles and accomplish redemption (Luke 22:15). Paul longed to depart and be with Christ, which he esteemed as far better, and he yearned to see the brethren face to face (Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:17). Desire that runs in these channels honors God, strengthens fellowship, and advances the gospel.

The Path to Freedom from Coveting
Jesus counseled anxious disciples to consider birds and lilies. The Father feeds and clothes His creation; His children rest in that care. Life exceeds food and clothing, and the Father knows our needs. The Lord directed hearts toward a higher pursuit: “Seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you” (Luke 12:22–31; cf. Matthew 6:33). Faith answers coveting by trusting God’s providence, ordering desires by His kingdom, and practicing habits that train the heart—turning the eyes from enticement (Psalm 101:3), walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16–21), giving thanks, and exercising cheerful generosity. Paul warns that coveting draws the wrath of God; kingdom pursuit draws His peace and provision (Colossians 3:5–6). As the heart learns contentment in Christ, the mind clears, the hands open, and the feet walk steadily.

Conclusion
The tenth commandment reaches deep. It speaks to what the eye lingers on, what the mind rehearses, and what the heart loves. God’s word teaches discernment, the cross grants forgiveness, and the kingdom gives a worthy aim. Desire fixed on Christ grows pure and strong; coveting withers when the soul treasures God.

Thou Shalt Not Covet Sermon Outline:

• Introduction: The question of “enough” and God’s answer in the tenth commandment.

• What Coveting Is: Exodus 20:17; Psalm 119:36; Psalm 101:3–4; Romans 7:7–8.

• Patterns and Consequences: Genesis 3:1–6; Joshua 7:19–25; Luke 12:13–21.

• Covetousness as Idolatry: Colossians 3:5–6; Exodus 20:3, 17; 1 Corinthians 5:11; Romans 1:24; Proverbs 4:23.

• Holy Desires: Luke 22:15; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:17.

• The Path to Freedom: Luke 12:22–31; Matthew 6:33; Psalm 101:3; Galatians 5:16–21; Colossians 3:5–6.

Call to Action
Examine your desires before God this week. Ask the Father to incline your heart to His testimonies and away from covetousness. Turn your eyes from recurring enticements. Seek the kingdom in daily choices. Practice thanksgiving and a specific act of generosity. Confess sin where needed, receive the Lord’s mercy, and walk by the Spirit.

Key Takeaways

• Coveting begins in the heart and is forbidden by God’s law (Exodus 20:17; Romans 7:7–8).

• Scripture shows how seeing, desiring, and taking lead to sorrow (Genesis 3:1–6; Joshua 7:19–25; Luke 12:13–21).

• Covetousness functions as idolatry and invites judgment (Colossians 3:5–6; 1 Corinthians 5:11).

• God commends holy longings for Christ, fellowship, and redemption (Luke 22:15; Philippians 1:23; 1 Thessalonians 2:17).

• Trust in the Father’s care and pursuit of His kingdom retrain desire (Luke 12:22–31; Matthew 6:33; Galatians 5:16–21).

Scripture Reference List

• Exodus 20:17 — The tenth commandment forbidding coveting.

• Exodus 20:3 — The first commandment rejects other gods.

• Genesis 3:1–6 — The pattern of seeing, desiring, taking, and the fall.

• Joshua 7:19–25 — Achan confesses, and judgment exposes coveting’s cost.

• Psalm 101:3–4 — Refusing to set wicked things before the eyes.

• Psalm 119:36 — Prayer to incline the heart toward God’s word.

• Proverbs 4:23 — Guard the heart; life flows from it.

• Luke 12:13–21 — Warning and parable exposing the blindness of greed.

• Luke 12:22–31 — The Father’s care and the call to seek the kingdom.

• Matthew 6:33 — Parallel teaching on kingdom priority and provision.

• Luke 22:15 — The Lord’s fervent desire bound to redemption.

• Romans 1:24 — God gives the rebellious over to the lusts lodged in the heart.

• Romans 7:7–8 — The law reveals coveting and stirs conscience.

• 1 Corinthians 5:11 — The church’s serious stance toward open covetousness.

• Galatians 5:16–21 — Walk by the Spirit; the works of the flesh are plain.

• Colossians 3:5–6 — Covetousness is idolatry and draws wrath.

• Philippians 1:23 — Desire to depart and be with Christ.

• 1 Thessalonians 2:17 — Earnest desire for fellowship among the saints.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO