Desire!

For Wednesday, December 18, 2024:

Deuteronomy 5:21 NKJV, God’s words: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

This commandment is related to, “You shall not steal.” Don’t take what belongs to someone else, and don’t long for what belongs to someone else. Desiring what is not yours is a stepping stone to becoming a thief, and in our hearts we all know that’s wrong.

Similarly, coveting your neighbor’s spouse is a stepping stone to adultery. This serves as a reminder for those who didn’t “get it” the first time.

Part of becoming a Christian is adopting God’s value system, God’s definitions of right and wrong. Those who have tried it both ways agree that God’s way is the right way, the only way! Give it a try!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Grass is Always Greener

March 25, 2013 Monday Message:

Today we wrap up our 10 Commandments series with #10, "Do not covet…” Ex. 20

We are forbidden to desire and plan how we may obtain that which God has given to another. Now, the Bible says that with the Lord as our shepherd, we’ll have everything we “need.” We shall not be left wanting. But it does not say that we’ll be rich, or that we’ll have everything that we desire. Coveting is the cousin of jealousy, and we are told specifically to not desire our neighbor’s spouse. This goes right back to #7!

We’re also not to desire his workers, those who do such a nice job at his home and business. We’re not to desire his means of transportation. Your Civic will get you there just fine, even if your neighbor drives a Jaguar.

We need to be OK with our lot in life, so that we’re not constantly coveting other stuff. Being content with our situation puts coveting on the back burner. Don’t wait for boosted “self esteem,” where others pat you on the back and give you accolades. Instead, make your own “self worth,” where you do the right things for the right reasons - you’re OK with it, and God’s OK with it. If anyone else approves, fine, but you and God are already walking together on the high road, and you can be content with that.

Norton Lawellin

Celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday, March 31, 10:30am, with Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF), in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. We’ll look inside the empty tomb!

NL