Your Spiritual Check-Up Using the 10 Commandmentsಮಾದರಿ

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2, ESV)

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”” (Exodus 20:17, ESV)

Not covet – Am I longing for things or a person I don’t have or can’t have?

The goal of modern marketing is to make you dissatisfied with your current life - yourself, your relationships, your position and your possessions. “There is something better and you deserve it!” So we are constantly bombarded with messages and images that encourage us to want what we don’t have so we can finally find fulfillment. And it is a lie.

The Gospel message tells us that our life is found when we surrender the mad pursuit of trying to find fulfillment in the world and finally surrender our lives to Jesus through repentance and faith. Coveting - the strong desire for something - is a sign that we are trying to self-medicate a wound that can only be healed by Jesus.

“You shall not covet…” is the unavoidable commandment. In the previous nine we may be able to wiggle out from under the conviction of the commandment but none of us can deny that we find ourselves in times of covetousness. When we find ourselves in this place it is an invitation from the Spirit to turn our heart afresh to the mercy and grace of God through Jesus.

Questions to Consider

- What is your heart longing for with the belief it is what you need to be happy?

- How can you pursue Jesus to meet the core need you are seeking to fulfill?

Actions to Take

- The antidote to covetousness is generosity. Practice sacrificial generosity - give in significant ways so that you feel it.

- Notice when you are coveting, stop and ask the Spirit to reveal to you what you are truly longing for. Ask Jesus to provide your core need.

Prayer to Make

Lord Jesus Christ, you are more than I could ever hope to fully receive. You provide everything I need for life and godliness. Help me turn my eyes to you and seek you to fulfill my wants, needs and desires with the things that bring life to me and others. Show me the people and places I can sacrificially practice generosity, knowing I can never out give you. Amen.