Are you coveting your neighbor's wife?

The 10th commandment forbids a sin many do not even understand. The Bible says, “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17, NLT) Coveting is an epidemic in America. Mostly, we are convinced that there is someone, or someplace, or something that will finally bring us a sense of wholeness. “If only I had ____ , then I would be happy." It breaks marriages. Coveting another man’s wife happens when we begin to believe we need someone smarter, richer, taller, thinner, or more exciting. Coveting causes people to go deeply into debt to buy things they really don't need. The constant messages of advertising drives the idea that “it’ will be found in a new house, another car, or an exotic vacation. Discontent can fester in people who move from church to church coveting a spiritual experience that will let them live above the trials of life.

Mindy Caliguire, head of Soul Care Ministries, suggests that we ask ourselves four questions to diagnose the sickness of discontent-

1. Do I feel overwhelmed by options?
2. Do I feel burdened by impossible demands?
3. Do I often buy more than I can afford?
4. Do I frequently desire to be more than I am? - Leadership, Winter, 2008

Options are as American as apple pie! We like big supermarkets that let choose from 28 brands of ketchup! On the ‘auto mile’ there are a dozen dealerships offering 20 kinds of automobiles, differing little except in style. Having so many options from which to choose is a source of real stress. There is a spiritual discipline that restores sanity! It is called simplicity. This discipline teaches us to live contentedly, not complacently, which keeps us from the sin of coveting.

Simplicity is the conscious choice to be the person who prays to know who God has made us and focusing on that. It is the decision to pray to become contented with who we are, what we have, and where we are. What does this mean practically?

We stop looking at others and comparing ourselves.
We refuse to buy things we don't want to impress people we don't like.
We give away stuff we no longer use, instead of renting storage space to keep it until we die and our kids throw it away.
We give thanks for what we have instead of begging God for more.
We receive the gift(s) of the Spirit He's given to us and to do what we can, right where we are, today!
We simplify our menu, unclutter our closet, and learn that saying 'no' to yet another appeal is just fine.
We refuse debt, financial and emotional, choosing to live in what we can afford, and not borrowing against tomorrow.

Here's what Jesus said. "Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:22-24, NLT)
Is your vision clear, fixed on truth, and focused around the goodness of God? Or are you looking around frantic to find something to own, certain it will bring you the peace you crave?

A single minded focus on Christ and His love allows us to live freely, soberly, and with contentment. Say 'yes' to worship, deep and intimate worship of the Lord, our God. Learn to revel in the beauty of a bird's song, the giggle of a child, the grace He promises 'just for today.' You will, in these choices, break the power of the conspiracy of self and Satan to make you a slave to reputation, stuff, and activities. Find others who are at peace with themselves, who are refusing the lie of more. Then, you will discover the blessing of less.