10. Coveting Forbidden! Exodus 20:17

Text: “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 anything that is thy neighbour’s.” 

Exodus 20:17.

Good morning, contented Christian!  In the Sovereign and good will of the Lord God Jehovah, in Christ Jesus, you and I should be more than content and perfectly satisfied with our lot in life.  We deserve nothing but Hell and torment forever in the Lake of Eternal Fire – because we are born sinners, and guilty of grossly committed sins.  Fact.  Yet, the Lord God in His great mercy and grace has granted us faith to believe and receive His Salvation, through the Cross of full Atonement, by the willing Sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Now, this is a thought that should lift up a word of praise to our Lord God on this His day!  Hallelujah!  Thanks be to God for His wonderful gift of Eternal Salvation from sin!

However, knowing that true, Spiritually regenerate, Christians should be more than content at all times, can often belie the fact that sometimes we are not!  Sometimes we too begin to murmur at our lot in life, and quickly turn to coveting the things and positions and situations that some other individuals possess.  Does this describe you today, brother?  Does this describe you today, sister?  In my depth of self-honesty, I must confess it sometimes describes me, and brings my thoughts under conviction of the dangers of this coveting. 

“But let a man/woman examine himself, and so let him/her eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  For he/she that eateth and drinketh (at the Lord’s Table) unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body.”  (1 Corinthians 11:28-29)

When we are serious Christians, we must often examine ourselves, our thought-life; our deeds; our secret covetousness of the lot and possessions of others – for if we judge ourselves to have sinned, then we may bring our sins to the Lord for His, ever given, forgiveness and renewed sanctification.  (1 John 1:7-10)

There are no such things as ‘hidden sins’ from the all-seeing Lord God Jehovah!

“For if we would judge ourselves (to have sinned), we should not be judged.  But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”  (1 Corinthians 11:31-32)

So, let us examine more closely this sin called ‘coveting’, and seek to avoid it better.

Dictionary Definition: Covet – (verb transitive) to desire or wish for eagerly; to wish for (something belonging to another).  (adjective) covetous - inordinately desirous; avaricious (greedy desire).  (The Chambers Dictionary, page 377)

“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.” (Exodus 20:17)

Thus we learn that God forbids our coveting, or greedily desiring, our neighbour’s wife; manservant; maidservant; his ox, or his ass, ‘nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.’

Our neighbour can be anyone, anywhere, in all circumstances we can perceive, not just the guy/lady who lives next door or in the general area.  We are not to crave anything belonging to anyone else, or ardently pursue the acquisition of it for ourselves!  Take heed, Christian!

Marks of a Covetous Person:  The covetous person is very easily detected in any given society – for he/she lacks one vital human attribute continually in his/her life: contentment!

The covetous spirit within the breast of man/woman always wants MORE; always and often obsessively desires not only some possession that someone else currently has, but needs to have that something - only a bigger, faster, more expensive, more ornate, newer, version of it for themselves!  

Listen to the words of Rolling Stone band-member, Mick Jagger, singing his song, ‘I can’t get no...satisfaction...I can’t get no...satisfaction...’ and you are listening to the song of someone who is totally trapped by the sin of covetousness.  God forbids covetousness!

The covetous person is further identified by the fact that, once he/she purchases the object coveted – even the bigger/more compact; faster; more expensive; more ornate; newer version of it – and has it for a little while, he/she very quickly tires of the novelty of it, and, having no real satisfaction for what he/she has acquired, finds no real contentment in it, and soon begins to covet something else.  The covetous spirit is never content or satisfied.  Beware!

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  But thou, O man/woman of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on Eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”                      (1 Timothy 6:10-12)

The Scriptures, in 2 Samuel, chapter 11, reveal a most poignant illustration story of covetousness, leading to gross sin; and then on to adultery, deception, and murder – and all committed by king David, ‘...a man after God’s own heart...’ (1 Samuel 13:14)

There is a most important lesson here for each of us who see ourselves as ‘mature in the faith’ Christian men and women: our hearts, being ‘...deceitful above all things and desperately wicked’..., can get quickly caught up in covetousness which IS not only disobedient  sin, but can lead to the most grievous sins as a consequence.  Flee covetousness!

“Incline my heart (inner essence) unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken Thou me in Thy way.”  (Psalm 119:36-37)

“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which thing’s sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.”  (Colossians 3:5-6)

Seeking to live close to the Lord God – in the study of His Word, in fellowship with His people; and in prayerful communion with Him, will keep us well guarded against the sin of covetousness.  Being grateful for all the Lord has done for us, in Christ Jesus, will cause our very souls to rest in the satisfaction of full Christian contentment.  Be faithful, beloved.

Thought: “But Godliness with contentment is great gain.”
(1 Timothy 6:6)

9. Lying Forbidden! Exodus 20:16

Text: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."             

                                                             Exodus 20:16.

“Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil: neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgement.

Exodus 23:1-2.

Good morning, truthful Christian!  Since the Lord Jesus saved your never-dying sinful soul and redeemed you with His own precious Blood shed for you and I at Calvary – you have been indwelt by God the Holy Spirit, and because you have been, you seek to be truthful and honest in all that you say and do daily.  Praise God for honest and truthful Christians!

The Lord God Almighty’s will on this matter is very clear:  

“These are the things that ye shall do; speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: and let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.”  (Zechariah 8:16-17)

“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.”  (Ephesians 4:23-25)

Practicing such a close concept as ‘speaking the truth’ at all times, is not just as easy as to do as one might imagine – because there can be a high cost to pay for trying to speak the truth!

A quick perusal of ‘Foxes Book of Martyrs’ by John Foxe (1554) will testify of the high cost of seeking to speak and practice Christian truth.  As Foxe recorded in the chapter ‘The Story, Life and Martyrdom of Master John Hooper, Bishop of Worcester and Gloucester’ relates: “...I am more confirmed in the truth which I have preached heretofore, by their coming.  I have left all things of the world, and suffered great pains and imprisonment, and, I thank God, I am as ready to suffer death, as a mortal man may be.  I have taught the truth with my tongue, and with my pen heretofore; and hereafter shortly shall confirm the same by God’s grace with my blood.”  (Foxes Book of Martyrs, Confirmed in Truth, page 203) 

Speaking God’s truth, preaching sound Bible-based Christian doctrine; ‘contending for the faith once delivered unto the saints.’; cost many throughout the history of Christ’s Church their very lives, often by being tortured in the flames of Papist executions.

Today, however, this vile practice of burning truth-speaking Christians is carried out in a different, more subtle manner, by those who would corrupt the Gospel of Jesus Christ and lower the Holy standard against sin.  Character assassinations are taking place day and daily – especially evidenced on our TV screens, as Satanic-inspired atheistic writers portray Christian values in the most gross and negative ways.  The very Holy Name of God, Jesus Christ, is penned into pathetic Soap Opera Dramas as a curse word; an expletive of anger or indignant shock; linked together with the most gross and sinful language!  

Were the Muslim Mohammad to be maligned in this same manner as the Lord Jesus Christ is daily on National television screens – there would be violence and bloodshed on British streets until it ceased!  Truth-speaking Christians are easy targets for the vilest anti-Christian TV and Film writers!  Beware, fools, God is not mocked!

 “Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

“Neither is there Salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  (Acts 4:12)

“...Christ Jesus...was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a Name which is above every name: that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in Heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (Philippians 2:5-11)

Thus you now see an example above of one Christian writer daring to ‘speak the truth’.  For the past 39 years – since the Lord Jesus saved my soul in repentance and faith – I have been detested for speaking the truth concerning the Scriptures, Christian doctrine; and many many other social and political issues.  However, every time the enemies of truth have sought to shut my mouth; break my pen; destroy my computer and keyboard – they have come to nought, for God is with me, and has placed His truth in my mouth and writings.  Hallelujah!

“He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.  Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday...only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.”  (Psalm 91:4-8)

Well has it often been said, ‘You can often trust murderers and thieves, but you can never trust a liar!’  Lying as a practice reveals a heart that is very dark in sin’s blackness indeed.  

There is no such thing as a ‘...little white lie...’, or a ‘...half-truth’; all that is not of the truth is a total lie and should be avoided like the plague.  We must train our tongues to speak only the truth to all with whom we converse daily.  Honesty is the very best policy!

“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”  (2 Peter 1:12) 

“I hate and abhor lying: but Thy law do I love.” (Psalm 119:163)

“A righteous man/woman hateth (hates, and continued to hate) lying: but a wicked man/woman is loathsome, and cometh to shame.”  (Proverbs 13:5)

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend ye your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.  Trust not in lying words...”  (Jeremiah 7:3-4)

Thought: In conclusion, we see that lying, and bearing false witness against others by lying, is especially detested by our Holy Lord God Who has saved us from our sin.  Let us, therefore, go forth from today, always seeking to speak the truth in love. Amen.

8. Stealing Forbidden! Exodus 20:15

Text: “Thou shalt not steal.”                                                                      Exodus 20:15.

          “Let him/her that stole steal no more: but rather let him/her labour, working with his/her hands that thing which is good, that he/she may have to give to him that needeth.”

Ephesians 4:28.

Good morning, upright Christian!  In your past life, you may very well have stolen material things, goods, or property that did not belong to you.  However, when the Lord God quickened you by His Spirit of conviction of sin, you stopped living in a dishonest manner, and have now a new perspective entirely on such legalities and the rights of private property.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.”  (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

Private property and legal possession of private property is certainly one of the main focuses of the Eighth Commandment of God – however, underlying all aspects of this great Commandment is the nurturing of personal honesty and true integrity.  However, there are many less thought about methods of ‘stealing’, other than the act of illegal taking away of one’s personal property and goods.

Spurgeon’s Catechism supplies the following questions and answers on the subject of the Eighth Commandment:

A The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

60 Q What is forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A The eighth commandment forbids whatever does or may unjustly hinder our own (1Timothy 5:8) ( Proverbs 28:19; 21:6) or our neighbour's wealth, or outward estate (Ephesians 4:28).

A person’s ‘wealth’ consists not only in how much money, lands, property, gold, or personal possessions that he/she owns – a person’s wealth also includes his/her good name; reputation as a business person, or a minister of the Gospel; how much personal integrity that said person is publicly reputed to have at any given time and place.

Therefore, while it is very clear that God commands us not to take – by force, stealth, or trickery – another individual’s personal property/goods/finance; the Lord God also forbids the stealing of another person’s character, or what we commonly call, ‘character assassination’!

How often do we learn of professing Christian people who are prepared to, quite openly, rubbish another Preacher’s Sermons; or detract from his/her witness by malicious gossip?  This too is forbidden by the Lord God in His Eighth Commandment.  Thou shalt not steal!

Read what the Puritan, Thomas Watson wrote on this serious subject:

“OF THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT.  Exodus 20:15. Thou Shalt not steal.

"As the holiness of God sets himself against uncleanness, ‘Thou shalt not commit adultery ', so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, ‘Thou shalt not steal’.  The thing forbidden in the commandment, is meddling with another man's property, ‘ Thou shalt not steal.'  The civil lawyers define, stealth or theft, to be laying hands unjustly on that which is another's; the invading of another's right.

“Qu. 1. Whence doth theft arise ? A1. The internal causes are: (1.) Unbelief. A man hath an high distrust of God's providence : ' Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?' (Psalm 78: 19).  So saith the unbeliever, ‘Can God spread a table for me?’  No, he cannot.  Therefore he is resolved, he will spread a table for himself, but it shall be of other men's cost, and both first and second course shall be served in with stolen goods. (2.) Covetousness. The Greek word for covetousness signifies an immoderate desire of ‘getting’: this is the root of theft.  A man covets more than his own, and this itch of covetousness makes him scratch what he can from another. Achan's covetous humour made him steal the wedge of gold, which wedge did cleave asunder his soul from God (Joshua 7: 21).

“2. The external cause of theft: Satan's solicitation: Judas was a thief. (John 12: 6)  How came he to be a thief?  Satan entered into him,' (John 13: 27).  The devil is the great master- thief, he robbed us of our coat of innocency, and he persuades men to take up his trade; he tells men how bravely they shall live by thieving, and how they may catch an estate.  And as Eve listened to the serpent's voice, so do they; and, as birds of prey, live upon spoil and rapine.

“Q. 2. How many sorts of thefts are there? Ans. I. There is stealing from God ; and so they are thieves who rob any part of God's day from him - Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day'. Not a part of the day only, but the whole day must be dedicated to God.  And lest any should forget this, the Lord hath prefixed a memento, ‘remember’.  

“Therefore to cut God short, and after morning sacrifice, to spend the other part of the Sabbath in vanity and pleasure: this is spiritual thievery, 'tis to rob God of his due : and the very heathens will rise up in judgment against such Christians; for the heathens (as Macrobius notes) did observe a whole day to their false gods.

“II. There is a stealing from others: A stealing away their souls: and so heretics are thieves. By robbing men of the truth, they rob them of their souls.

 "A stealing away their money and goods from them: and under this head of stealing away others money, there may be several arraigned for thieves. (1.) The high-way thief, who takes a purse, contrary to the letter of this commandment. (Leviticus 19:13).  ‘Thou shalt not rob thy neighbour.'  (Mark. 10:19).  Do not steal.” (The Ten Commandments, Thomas Watson 1620-1686)

Thus we learn that there are many various manners of ‘stealing’, and from all such theft we, as Christians, must desist.  In word, thought, and deed – let us seek to keep God’s Word.

Thought: Praise God we have a Saviour Who perfectly kept the Commandments of God for us, and now imputes His righteousness to us, redeeming our sin-sick souls!