PALESTINE —
God ends the Ten Commandments where they began, in the heart. This commandment does not tell us how to act, but how to feel. God created us and knows we are tempted to look across the fence at our neighbor’s house and wish we had what he has. God, in his wisdom, forbids this. He tells us not to covet what belongs to others. Exodus 20:17 (NIV): You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Covet means to wish you had something that belongs to someone else. It also involves being envious of others because of what they have. We are God’s children and he wants us to be content, but he knows we never will be if we are continually wishing we had what others have. There will always be something better to possess. There will always be more success to grasp. There will always be a better job or spouse. Contentment will never come. God knows that the key to contentment is being happy with what we have, not longing for what others have. Coveting will completely steal our joy.
The Ten Commandments are not only spiritual, but practical. Does this commandment mean we shouldn’t try to better ourselves or strive to become more successful? Not at all, but God wants us to focus on the blessings he has given us instead of wishing our lives away, wanting more. And believe me, God has blessed each of us.
Jesus summed up the Ten Commandments like this: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-38). In this way, Jesus summed up the first commandments, which deal with our relationship with God, and the last commandments, which deal with our relationship with each other. As we see today, it is not only how we treat God and each other that matters, but how we feel as well. If we will obey these commandments, we will find ourselves joyful and contented, and that will please God.
Craig Harris is an author and minister. Contact him at lcraigharris@gmail.com. To see more, go to www.instantmessagelive.com
Opinion
August 5, 2012
Instant Message — The Ten Commandments: Ten
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