Finding Contentment: Overcoming the Sin of Coveting
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Centerpoint Church! Today, we conclude our series on the Ten Commandments by focusing on the tenth commandment: "You shall not covet." Coveting is more than just envy or jealousy; it is an intense desire to possess what belongs to someone else. This desire can consume us, leading to frustration and even doubting God's goodness. I shared a personal story from my childhood about desperately wanting a Star Wars action figure that my friend had, illustrating how coveting can dominate our thoughts and actions.
Coveting is like a riptide; it may seem harmless at first, but it can quickly pull us away from safety and lead us into deeper trouble. God warns us against coveting because it can lead to other sins, such as idolatry, theft, and false witness. Coveting also breaks our hearts because it promises satisfaction that it cannot deliver. True satisfaction and life are found only in God, the Creator, not in the things of this world.
We explored two biblical stories to illustrate the dangers of coveting: Eve in the Garden of Eden and Achan during the conquest of Jericho. Both stories show how coveting led to disastrous consequences. Coveting is not just a harmless thought; it has the power to shape our lives and lead us away from God.
Instead of coveting, we should long for the Creator over the creation. God loves us with an everlasting love, is always with us, supplies all our needs, keeps His promises, and offers us life to the full. When we focus on God, we become people of contentment and gratitude. The Apostle Paul learned the secret of being content by valuing his relationship with Christ above all else.
To combat coveting, we need to replace comparison with appreciation and adoration. Make a list of things you are grateful for and take time to thank God for His gifts. Sing praises to God, as music has a unique power to remind us of His goodness and truth. By focusing on God and His blessings, we can live lives of freedom, joy, contentment, and gratitude, pointing others towards Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Coveting is a Consuming Desire: Coveting is more than just envy; it is an intense, consuming desire to possess what belongs to someone else. This desire can dominate our thoughts and actions, leading us to frustration and even doubting God's goodness. It is crucial to recognize and address this tendency in our hearts. [22:58]
2. Coveting Leads to Other Sins: Coveting is not an isolated sin; it often leads to other sins such as idolatry, theft, and false witness. When we fixate on something we don't have, it can reorient our lives and lead us down a path of further disobedience to God. Recognizing this can help us understand the gravity of coveting. [35:36]
3. True Satisfaction is Found in God: The things of this world cannot satisfy our deepest longings. True satisfaction and life are found only in God, the Creator. When we long for the things of the world, we set ourselves up for disappointment and heartbreak. Only God can fulfill the promises of life and joy. [36:49]
4. Replace Comparison with Appreciation and Adoration: To combat coveting, we need to replace comparison with appreciation and adoration. Make a list of things you are grateful for and thank God for His gifts. Sing praises to God, as music has a unique power to remind us of His goodness and truth. This shift in focus can transform our hearts and minds. [50:23]
5. God's Everlasting Love and Faithfulness: God loves us with an everlasting love, is always with us, supplies all our needs, keeps His promises, and offers us life to the full. When we focus on these truths, we become people of contentment and gratitude, living lives that point others towards Him. [44:44]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[21:41] - Introduction to the Tenth Commandment
[22:21] - Childhood Story of Coveting
[23:36] - Frustration and Doubt
[24:40] - The Infrastructure of Our Hearts
[25:44] - Different Forms of Coveting
[26:41] - Context of Exodus 20
[27:47] - Commandment Number Ten
[29:02] - Definition of Coveting
[30:15] - Coveting as a Riptide
[31:19] - Biblical Examples of Coveting
[35:36] - Coveting Leads to Other Sins
[36:49] - True Satisfaction in God
[44:44] - God's Everlasting Love and Faithfulness
[50:23] - Replace Comparison with Appreciation
[52:54] - Replace Comparison with Adoration
[56:09] - Imagining a Community Living Out These Principles
[57:48] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 20:17 - "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
2. Genesis 3:6 - "When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."
3. Joshua 7:20-21 - "Achan replied, 'It is true! I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I have done: When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does the tenth commandment in Exodus 20:17 specifically prohibit us from coveting?
2. In Genesis 3:6, what did Eve see in the fruit that made her desire it?
3. According to Joshua 7:20-21, what did Achan do after he coveted the items he saw in Jericho?
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of coveting, as described in Exodus 20:17, lead to other sins such as idolatry, theft, and false witness? ([35:36])
2. What are the similarities between Eve's actions in Genesis 3:6 and Achan's actions in Joshua 7:20-21? How do these stories illustrate the consequences of coveting? ([31:19])
3. How does the sermon suggest we combat the tendency to covet by focusing on God's everlasting love and faithfulness? ([44:44])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you intensely desired something that belonged to someone else. How did that affect your thoughts and actions? ([22:58])
2. The sermon mentions replacing comparison with appreciation and adoration. What are some practical steps you can take this week to focus on gratitude instead of comparison? ([50:23])
3. How can you remind yourself daily that true satisfaction and life are found only in God, not in the things of this world? ([36:49])
4. The Apostle Paul learned the secret of being content by valuing his relationship with Christ above all else. What specific actions can you take to deepen your relationship with Christ and find contentment in Him? ([47:41])
5. The sermon encourages us to make a list of things we are grateful for and to thank God for His gifts. What are three things you are grateful for today, and how can you incorporate this practice into your daily routine? ([51:23])
6. Music has a unique power to remind us of God's goodness and truth. What are some worship songs or hymns that help you focus on God's blessings, and how can you incorporate more worship into your daily life? ([52:54])
7. Imagine a community living out the principles discussed in the sermon. How would such a community impact the people around them, and what role can you play in fostering this kind of environment in your own community? ([56:09])
Devotional
Day 1: The Consuming Nature of Coveting
Coveting is more than just a fleeting feeling of envy; it is an intense, consuming desire to possess what belongs to someone else. This desire can dominate our thoughts and actions, leading us to frustration and even doubting God's goodness. When we covet, we allow our hearts to be pulled away from contentment and gratitude, focusing instead on what we lack. This can create a cycle of dissatisfaction and longing that is difficult to break.
Recognizing the consuming nature of coveting is crucial for our spiritual well-being. It is important to address this tendency in our hearts and redirect our desires towards God. By doing so, we can find true satisfaction and peace, knowing that God provides for all our needs. [22:58]
James 4:2-3 (ESV): "You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."
Reflection: Think of a time when you intensely desired something that belonged to someone else. How did it affect your thoughts and actions? Can you ask God to help you redirect your desires towards Him today?
Day 2: The Ripple Effect of Coveting
Coveting is not an isolated sin; it often leads to other sins such as idolatry, theft, and false witness. When we fixate on something we don't have, it can reorient our lives and lead us down a path of further disobedience to God. This ripple effect can cause significant harm to our relationships and spiritual health.
Understanding the gravity of coveting helps us see the importance of guarding our hearts against it. By recognizing the potential consequences, we can take proactive steps to cultivate contentment and gratitude in our lives. This awareness can help us stay aligned with God's will and avoid the pitfalls of coveting. [35:36]
Proverbs 21:26 (ESV): "All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where coveting has led to other negative behaviors. How can you take steps to cultivate contentment and gratitude in that area today?
Day 3: True Satisfaction in God
The things of this world cannot satisfy our deepest longings. True satisfaction and life are found only in God, the Creator. When we long for the things of the world, we set ourselves up for disappointment and heartbreak. Only God can fulfill the promises of life and joy.
By focusing on our relationship with God, we can find true contentment and peace. This shift in perspective helps us see the temporary nature of worldly possessions and the eternal value of our relationship with God. Embracing this truth can transform our lives and bring us lasting joy. [36:49]
Psalm 16:11 (ESV): "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are seeking satisfaction in worldly things? How can you shift your focus to find true satisfaction in your relationship with God?
Day 4: Replacing Comparison with Appreciation and Adoration
To combat coveting, we need to replace comparison with appreciation and adoration. Making a list of things we are grateful for and thanking God for His gifts can help shift our focus. Singing praises to God also has a unique power to remind us of His goodness and truth. This shift in focus can transform our hearts and minds, leading us to live lives of contentment and gratitude.
By intentionally practicing appreciation and adoration, we can break the cycle of comparison and coveting. This practice helps us recognize the blessings in our lives and fosters a deeper sense of gratitude towards God. [50:23]
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV): "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: Make a list of five things you are grateful for today. Take time to thank God for each of these gifts and consider how you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine.
Day 5: Embracing God's Everlasting Love and Faithfulness
God loves us with an everlasting love, is always with us, supplies all our needs, keeps His promises, and offers us life to the full. When we focus on these truths, we become people of contentment and gratitude, living lives that point others towards Him. Embracing God's love and faithfulness helps us find peace and joy in every circumstance.
By trusting in God's provision and promises, we can let go of our desires for worldly possessions and find true contentment in Him. This trust transforms our lives and allows us to be a light to others, demonstrating the power of God's love and faithfulness. [44:44]
Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
Reflection: How can you remind yourself of God's everlasting love and faithfulness today? What steps can you take to trust in His provision and promises more fully?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Satisfaction is not found in the world, it's found in the one who made the world. When we are longing for the things of the world, when we're longing for creation instead of the Creator, you will never find life. You'll find joy for a little while... but then afterwards there is this greater longing... and it'll break your heart because creation can't keep its promise to give you life. It'll promise it but it can't deliver on it." [36:49] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God loves you with an everlasting love. No matter how filthy, how broken, how messed up, how much you failed, he looks to the horizon for you and for me, an everlasting love. Tim Keller, the author and pastor, he said it this way, that the gospel is that you are more deeply flawed than you would ever dare believe. We're more broken than we would ever dare believe, but we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we would ever dare hope." [44:01] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Only he loves you with an everlasting love. Only he loves you with an everlasting love... He loves you with an everlasting love and only he is with you no matter what. Only he supplies all of your needs. He says, seek first my kingdom and my righteousness and every single thing that you need will be provided for you. He has the wisdom and the resources to get you everything that you need, to do everything that you do to have the best possible life." [45:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He is the only one who offers life now and life forever to the full. He is the only one who is the true king of the universe. He is the only rightful king of your heart and mind. That's who he is and that's why. Why keep him? Why keep him? Why keep him one and only? Why long for him instead of the things of the world? It's because of everything that I just said. He loves you with an everlasting love. He's with you always. He keeps his promises. He supplies all of your needs. He offers you life." [46:25] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you see that about him, when you really start to see him, it starts to change what you long for. It starts to change how you behave. It starts to change the way that you go through life. Two of the predominant things that will happen is we see him, we see him clearly. The first one is that we will become people who are content. We will notice that as I long for God, as I long for a deeper relationship with Jesus, I become more content with life." [47:12] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Coveting isn't this kind of innocent thing that's just between your ears and it's just something that you can do and it's no big deal but rather it is a sin that leads to other sins. Part of the devastation of coveting part of the reason why God says don't play in the riptide is because it leads to other sins... it really has a massive influence on the way that we live our lives." [34:32] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Satisfaction is not found in the world, it's found in the one who made the world. When we are longing for the things of the world, when we're longing for creation instead of the Creator, you will never find life. You'll find joy for a little while... but then afterwards there is this greater longing... and it'll break your heart because creation can't keep its promise to give you life. It'll promise it but it can't deliver on it." [36:49] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We need to replace comparison. We need to be people who look at the things in our lives that generate comparison. That create this longing for other things. And we need to replace that with some other things. You see, because comparison is all about the horizontal. It's all about what you can have in this life... We have to look at the things in our lives. The lives that create, that generate, that thrive off of this comparison. And then we replace them." [50:23] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We replace comparison with appreciation. We say to God, thank you. You're such a good God. Thank you, Lord, for the gifts that you've given me. Here's what I'd like you to do this week. I want you to make a list of 50 things that you're grateful for... I think this is an opportunity here for us to see just how much we have to be grateful for." [51:23] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We replace comparison with adoration. What I mean by that is that we sing. You were created to sing... There's something interesting about the brain when it comes to singing... It's a different part of the brain. And what's interesting about that is that there's something in song that draws up what we know, what we know to be true. It brings up memories of things that could have gotten lost otherwise." [52:54] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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