The last of the Ten Commandments has to do with coveting. Over the next few articles I want to explore and share what this really means. Some of the aspects of this are covered as parts of the other sins, but all of them have other elements in common. I will start with the first one listed in the scriptures which is:
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbors house. ..." Exodus 20:17
This passage basically refers to looking at what your fellow men possesses and yourself desiring it. Now just to make my point clear, and this is one of the elements I referred to earlier, the common thread of coveting. You would not desire what your neighbor had unless you were comparing yourself with others through wealth and possessions. Coveting would not be possible unless we are attempting to measure our value by what we own.
So this element is a pride thing. We measure our own worth by the things we own. We try to make a good impression by how nice and fancy our stuff is. We want to have the latest and greatest especially if those around us do. It is pride that drives us to try to outdo others. We need to learn to get rid of this pride, and stop seeing our worth in such terms. It does not make us any less if others do well. Nor does an outward show of earthly success make us any greater.
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