Day 1

Scripture to Read: Exodus 20:17

This week, our entire focus is on not coveting. To better understand what it means to covet, we need to examine its definition. In the Holman Bible Dictionary, coveting is defined as “the inordinate (excessive, unreasonable, outrageous) desire to possess what belongs to another, usually tangible things.” A further definition found in the Holman Bible Dictionary says, “While the Hebrew word for ‘covet’ can also be translated “to desire,” in the Tenth Commandment, it means an ungoverned and selfish desire that threatens the basic rights of others.” So, coveting is definitely synonymous with lust, desire, and even idolatry, as we’ll see this week. That is why God included in the Ten Commandments, “You shall not covet…” But God did not stop by only saying, “You shall not covet,” but He also identifies for us the things we’re not to covet, and we’ll look at each of those things listed in Exodus 20:17. We must understand that “desire” is given to us by God, so desire is not a bad thing. Even God tells us to desire in 1 Corinthians 12:31, “But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.” The “more excellent way” God had Paul write about was to love, as laid out in 1 Corinthians 13. As we know, the two greatest commands (Matthew 22:37–40) are to love God and love our neighbor. God also tells us to “pursue love” in 1 Corinthians 14:1, “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” God wants us “to desire” the right things.

Challenge & Application

· Since desire is from God, what did you learn today that you should be desiring? · How are you filling your mind and heart so that your desires stay guarded against the things of this world?

Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!

Devotionals from this week

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Day 1

This week, our entire focus is on not coveting. To better understand what it means to covet, we need to examine its definition. In the Holman Bible Dictionary, coveting is defined as “the inordinate (excessive, unreasonable, outrageous) desire to possess what belongs to another, usually tangible things.” A further definition found in the Holm...

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Day 2

The first thing God tells us not to covet in Exodus 20:17 is “your neighbor’s house.” God always wants us to be thankful for what we have and not to focus on what we do not have. We all know it’s easy to fall into the comparison trap. It’s the trap we easily walk into when we start comparing ourselves to what others, who are about our same ag...

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Day 3

God’s commandments are always for our protection. God gives us commands so we understand what we must do and what we must not do. God knows how powerful our “flesh” can be but as Christians, He knows He’s given us His Holy Spirit so we can overcome every temptation that comes our way—that is why God tells us this in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No t...

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Day 4

God also was sure to command everyone in Exodus 20:17, “you shall not covet your neighbor’s …male servant or his female servant.” When we think of servants, our minds might go back to when people had servants living with them who took care of their fields, flocks, chores in and outside the house, and even took care of the children. Some peopl...

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Day 5

We’re continuing our walk through Exodus 20:17 and how coveting destroys our lives and the lives of those around us. God continued by commanding in Exodus 20:17, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s…ox or his donkey….” Today, that might be our neighbor's car, boat, fancy grill, riding lawnmower, cell...

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Day 6

God wanted to make sure that His command about not coveting was absolutely clear. So, God ended Exodus 20:17 by saying, “You shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor.” We would think that God had covered everything when He had said, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male ...

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Day 7

What an incredible week of examining coveting. God never puts a command in His Word that is weak or foolish. Every command is given to protect us from moving in the wrong direction. The reason God dealt with us not coveting is because coveting is a form of idolatry. When we want/desire/long for something that someone else has, that thing we’r...

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