Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
This passage of scripture warns us against the sin of covetousness, a sin that is all too common among men and women, and one that is hardly recognized for what it really is. This injunction forbids the evil thought or desire, from which all sinful actions spring, for every iniquitous act begins as a thought first, in our hearts and minds. What we often describe as being a wrong or sinful deed is just the mere result of sin that has taken place in our minds, sometimes many years before, and that which lurks or searches for an opportune moment to find its expression in words and deeds which dishonor God and ourselves.
A person can be practicing covetousness for very many years without a single act to confirm what has been taking place in the mind, and therefore it is imperative that we often do serious soul-searching to see whether we are walking in sincerity and truth, or whether our Christian experience is just a shallow veneer for others to behold. Covetousness manifests itself in many different ways, one of the more prominent being pornography, by which some folk read adult, x-rated literature, or otherwise go online and surf the internet, searching for sexually explicit images and videos. Another popular form of pornography that has taken root in modern society, because of the capabilities afforded by our electronic "gods", is that of sexting, or sending nude photographs to others and vice versa.
Now although a person may never follow through to the act of sexual intercourse with another of the opposite or same sex, yet in the books of heaven, the sin of adultery is recorded against our names, and if we do not confess the sinful thoughts as actual deeds then they remain unforgiven in the books of heaven, and will stand to witness against us in the day of judgment. Let's read:
Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Another popular, and even more widespread manifestation of the sin of covetousness occurs when we go window shopping for things we cannot afford at the moment, but desire to purchase in the future. This is not referring to things that we really need, and must investigate properly before making a purchase, it refers to just indulging the wanton desire to see and drool over items that we do not need, nor had any prior thought of obtaining. It is a known fact that as we "Window shop", we often suddenly find ourselves "Needing" certain items, and whereas previously they were never in our thoughts, we now find ourselves not being able to do without them, for they have become instantaneous necessities, all through the indulgence of covetousness.
Thus credit card bills are run up into the red, and we become indebted to financial institutions for things we did not really need, but purchased anyway because we saw and coveted the said items that were on display. Eve originally fell through the indulgence of window shopping, and since that time, satan has specialized and fine-tuned his skills at presenting allurements to the carnal eye, in ways that bedazzle the senses. And if we are not very, very careful, we will find ourselves always needing things and committing adultery in ways that may not be evident to others, but are just as sinful in the sight of God as any other overt evils.
Let us therefore be content with such things as God has provided, and if any real need arises, whether it be tangible, social, or sexual, let us make certain to order our steps in harmony with the grand principles and laws God has given us for our best good, and if we seek God in every situation, He will be more than willing to guide our feet into paths of righteousness. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages the spirit of contentment, and it is God's will that this godly principle be deeply rooted in all of our experiences. Let's read:
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!