Do you have a coveting spirit?

Thursday, May 8th 2014

I remember all too often; Times when I just HAD to have my sisters shoes, or clothes, or candy and my mom telling me in these exact words, "don't you have enough of your own, God doesn't like covetousness" I didn't see anything wrong with taking their things at that time and not being satisfied with my own portion. Little did I know these little acts were planting seeds of greater discontent with not being content with my portion, and would later lead to extreme levels of covetousness, resulting to a more horrendous sin of stealing and much more being born.


What is Coveting/Covetousness?

A well illustrated  example is given in the parable Jesus delivers in Luke 12, which we will break down and discuss in this blog. 

Covetousness is a strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; excessive desire for  things of the world, riches or money; These "things" mean and include someone else's or store marked, clothing, shoes, other fashion materials, household items, food, someone's husband/wife, friend, and more.  It's an act purely marked by Lust. The items are being obtained without any legal work, and or its wanting to just fulfill an ungodly urge or desire. By being covetous you are being greedy!

Examples of coveting in the Bible:

Exodus 20:17

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.

Colossians 3:5

 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have:

1 Timothy 6:9

 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.

Wanting something or someone that is not yours is a SIN. It can be the death of your spiritual and physical life. We need to understand that this particular act starts in the heart. One day you start thinking that Mr. (so and so) is so handsome. He starts eyeing you, you start eyeing him. You overhear he is married, but you've already planned out that romantic date in your head. One day things are rocky in his marriage and he asks you out, you have no shame in your game and you say yes. You've just stolen another woman's husband, Girl! Not only have you now coveted someone's man you are committing adultery!!

An all too common scenario is when we get into a roommate situation. Yes, our roommate is more then generous with her/his items..once asked permission for. You start to eye this one item though, the roommate has particular said that is OFF limits. But you must have it, it's been imagined in your heart for months now. The perfect opportunity presents it's self and bam, you take it. COVETOUSNESS has just be committed.

In a world of social media today, it's so easy to focus on ones highlights they post online. Remember, no one rarely posts when life hits, brings them down or there is an obstacle in the road. So we are looking and lusting at the things people have due to their online content but in reality they are dead and far removed from God. Is it really worth it? NO.

Covetousness will eat at you, you will never be satisfied, it will leave you empty when you gain what you've committed to having due to lust.

Jesus in Luke 12 shares a parable with the masses about this subject matter:

He starts of in verse 15 saying boldly to beware of covetousness, because life is not measured by how much "stuff" we acquires here one earth.

Let's read:  

Luke 12

 16 Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17 He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ 18 Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19 And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

21 “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

PAUSE: You see beloved, when you allow the coveting spirit to overtake you, your relationship with God is void, null, and deleted. You have now made that object you seek, your god.

Jesus in this same passage shares with us beautiful solutions to those of us who have a problem desiring other people's possessions or items needed to be taken to fill a void.

Jesus tells us :

• Not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. 
•  For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 
• And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
• Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
• And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?
• And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
• And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 
• These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 
•  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
• Store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. 
• Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

The Lord is calling you home, he is calling you to not let the things on this earth that will fade away be your target, to not allow you to commit sin, end up in jail or feel extreme guilt. He wants you to set your sight on things above, not on things on this earth. 

He is calling you to repent if you've identified you have this spirit so He can enter into your life and make you whole and free.

Beloved, I used to have this spirit and in the mental health world it had its own name.But the day I gave my life to Jesus Christ, it was erased. I was now content in the greatest love of all, the love of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Here are some other verses you can meditate on that will sure help you! 

1 John 2:15-17,Matthew 16:26 , James 4:2 , Mark 4:19

I want, need, and desire you to feel this love! I love you and I am praying for you! 

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May you find comfort in this song.

From your Sister in Christ,

Janet Adeola Songonuga

(I am in the middle with the newest couple in town. At their wedding. )