What exactly is coveting and what are examples?

Wynona · Sep 17, 2022

Recently, I stopped going on Pinterest because I always end up wanting fashion items I don't need and can't afford.

Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

quietthinker · Sep 17, 2022

Wynona said:
Recently, I stopped going on Pinterest because I always end up wanting fashion items I don't need and can't afford.

Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

Controlling others ....by placing the self first, by intellect, by manipulation, by 'superior' theology, by denial

marks · Sep 17, 2022

Wynona said:
Recently, I stopped going on Pinterest because I always end up wanting fashion items I don't need and can't afford.

Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

For me, coveting means that I want what I don't have, thinking/feeling I should have it, and in particular, something I'm not supposed to have.

Something that I think about regarding this, IF in fact God will provide all I need, coveting means to be looking past God for my desires.

Like, when I want a "better" car, but my car is running just fine, and is in fact pretty low cost to operate. I don't need a "better" car. God will provide a car when my actually dies. And meanwhile, I am thankful to Him that I don't have to buy another car just yet.

The time will likely come when God will move in my heart to take the steps to replace my car. I need to be sensitive to the Spirit's leading, to know that I'm not just reaching out to grab something not meant for me. God already has His intended provision for me, and I'm to be content to wait upon that.

Does this help?

BTW . . . I've gotten past my "clothes buying" phase, for the most part, but I know exactly what you mean on that!

Much love!

quietthinker · Sep 17, 2022

marks said:
For me, coveting means that I want what I don't have, thinking/feeling I should have it, and in particular, something I'm not supposed to have.

Something that I think about regarding this, IF in fact God will provide all I need, coveting means to be looking past God for my desires.

Like, when I want a "better" car, but my car is running just fine, and is in fact pretty low cost to operate. I don't need a "better" car. God will provide a car when my actually dies. And meanwhile, I am thankful to Him that I don't have to buy another car just yet.

The time will likely come when God will move in my heart to take the steps to replace my car. I need to be sensitive to the Spirit's leading, to know that I'm not just reaching out to grab something not meant for me. God already has His intended provision for me, and I'm to be content to wait upon that.

Does this help?

BTW . . . I've gotten past my "clothes buying" phase, for the most part, but I know exactly what you mean on that!

Much love!

lol re the car......he might give you a horse

marks · Sep 17, 2022

quietthinker said:
lol re the car......he might give you a horse

Or just bring me to meet Him in the clouds . . .

Much love!

Taken · Sep 17, 2022

Wynona said:
Recently, I stopped going on Pinterest because I always end up wanting fashion items I don't need and can't afford.

Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

Coveting is WANTING what literally belongs to an other.
(Not meaning what an other owns and is selling.)

Some people would Like a home like an other has.
Some people want that literal home that is an others.

Some men would Like a wife like their co-worker has.
Some men want that co-workers wife.

Same with cars, money, jewelry, baby’s, RV’s, Tv’s, on and on...
thus THIEVES. <—> They Covet First <—> Then Steal.

Sort of LIKE, the US Presidential Office...

Enoch111 · Sep 17, 2022

Wynona said:
Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

Coveting is lusting after, having an unlawful desire, which also includes jealously. A good Bible example is Achan in the book of Joshua. His name means "troubler".

Angelina · Sep 18, 2022

Coveting could also mean taking control of a ministry because of insecurities and passing it on to someone else. I knew a youth leader who was given permission to start a youth outreach by her pastor. This was in a church that had a handful of young people. She started a home group in her own home and later on, invited the pastor to come. She had over 30 young people in her youth group, straight out of the world. He got nervous and stepped her down and placed a couple over that ministry. Believing that they were anointed by God to take over it. They moved it to the church. A month later, that ministry went down. All the young people who were frequenting that ministry had left.

Randy Kluth · Sep 18, 2022

Wynona said:
Recently, I stopped going on Pinterest because I always end up wanting fashion items I don't need and can't afford.

Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

Good question. Whatever isn't of faith is sin. So when we exercise the free will God has given us, and we recognize that our interests are exorbitant and misplaced, then to continue to want that thing is indeed a form of covetousness.

It may be coveting ambition, attention, self-worth, or grandiosity. Or, it may be just wanting things in excess, or wanting things to be more than others.

It just has to do with wanting for the wrong reasons. Our faith then questions our judgment, and we should obey our conscience because it is through the conscience that the Holy Spirit speaks to us.

I wouldn't personally get all conflicted just because we want something that is discretionary, or materialistic. Everything God gave us is to be received with thanksgiving, and He did give us in abundance. Wisdom knows the difference and is the best counselor in these things.

Bob Estey · Sep 21, 2022

Wynona said:
Recently, I stopped going on Pinterest because I always end up wanting fashion items I don't need and can't afford.

Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

I always thought it was wanting something that belongs to someone else.

Randy Kluth · Sep 21, 2022

Bob Estey said:
I always thought it was wanting something that belongs to someone else.

Of course you're right. But just like many of God's laws, they are applicable in a wide variety of ways. As Jesus said, those who merely lust after a woman has already committed a form of adultery in his heart. It's the same with coveting. It's not just wanting something that belongs to someone in your society, but wanting things that belong to God that He does not wish for you to have. That is a matter of God's word to your heart, and your conscience. I'm sure you'll agree?

Bob Estey · Sep 21, 2022

Randy Kluth said:
Of course you're right. But just like many of God's laws, they are applicable in a wide variety of ways. As Jesus said, those who merely lust after a woman has already committed a form of adultery in his heart. It's the same with coveting. It's not just wanting something that belongs to someone in your society, but wanting things that belong to God that He does not wish for you to have. That is a matter of God's word to your heart, and your conscience. I'm sure you'll agree?

We all buy things. Before we buy them, we want them. Where do you draw the line?

Randy Kluth · Sep 21, 2022

Bob Estey said:
We all buy things. Before we buy them, we want them. Where do you draw the line?

Everything we do is according to our conscience. And everybody is at a different place with their conscience. Some feel a particular calling or gift justifies them buying certain items in large quantities, whereas others feel interested in a spirituality more free of such things, and feel no particular calling to material success.

When we go against our conscience, we sin. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. But we should feel at liberty to enjoy the abundance of God's gifts, assuming it is not some kind of blatant sin. After that, it is just a matter being consistent with what we believe our individual calling to be.

Some things that we do that are not wise may not be sins at all. But they may be a kind of foolishness, a waste of resources. Well, to be honest I probably do things like this all the time. Eat too many sweets, perhaps. Spend too much time with a computer game? Talk too long? Probably!

Just foolish things that we can learn from.

Webers_Home · Sep 22, 2022

.
Neither coveting nor lust are evil per se. For example Paul encouraged the
Corinthians to covet the best gifts (1Cor 12:31) and Jesus lusted for a final
Passover with his friends. (Luke 22:15)
_

quietthinker · Sep 23, 2022

Bob Estey said:
We all buy things. Before we buy them, we want them. Where do you draw the line?

in your mind.

Lambano · Sep 23, 2022

Wynona said:
Recently, I stopped going on Pinterest because I always end up wanting fashion items I don't need and can't afford.

Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

The commandment (Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 5:21) talks specifically about desiring your neighbor's "stuff". Basically, it's like stealing in the heart or adultery in the heart. But I think you're onto something about craving material goods. In the parable of the Sower, Jesus tells us:

18 And others are the ones sown with seed among the thorns; these are the ones who have heard the word, 19 but the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the ἐπιθυμίαι for other things enter and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

The word "ἐπιθυμίαι" means lusts or cravings and is the Greek word the Septuagint translators used to translate the command, "Thou shalt not covet". The NT writers warn us many times about desiring the stuff of this world.

It's a heart issue, and yes, I do it too. And yes, I need to repent. Your minimalist approach is the right way to go.

michaelvpardo · Sep 23, 2022

Wynona said:
Recently, I stopped going on Pinterest because I always end up wanting fashion items I don't need and can't afford.

Is coveting just wanting something you don't have and not being content or is it wanting something that belongs to someone else?

I would suggest that it's the lust of the eyes. The powerful desire to possess what we see that hasn't been given to us or earned by our Labor.
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God continues to live forever." 1 John 2:15-17

michaelvpardo · Sep 23, 2022

Bob Estey said:
I always thought it was wanting something that belongs to someone else.

Yup, but everything belongs to someone else until it's given to or lawfully appropriated by you.

michaelvpardo · Sep 23, 2022

Webers_Home said:
.
Neither coveting nor lust are evil per se. For example Paul encouraged the
Corinthians to covet the best gifts (1Cor 12:31) and Jesus lusted for a final
Passover with his friends. (Luke 22:15)
_

There are different translations of those verses that avoid the word "lust". Have you verified the translation you're using is accurate?

Lambano · Sep 23, 2022

michaelvpardo said:
Yup, but everything belongs to someone else until it's given to or lawfully appropriated by you.

We have a multi-billion dollar advertising and marketing industry whose very reason for existence is to generate cravings in our hearts for other people's stuff.

Of course, I want you guys to crave the products my employer sells 'cuz I need this job or my family doesn't have food on the table or a roof over their heads.

(I need to repent of my hypocrisy too.)

What exactly is coveting and what are examples?

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