Topical Bible: Covetousness: Leads to Lying

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Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for possessions or wealth, is a sin that the Bible warns against repeatedly. It is a condition of the heart that can lead to various other sins, including lying. The Tenth Commandment explicitly addresses covetousness: "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" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment highlights the internal nature of covetousness, which can manifest in external actions such as deceit and falsehood.

The connection between covetousness and lying is evident in several biblical narratives. In the account of Achan, we see a clear example of how covetousness leads to deceit. After the Israelites conquered Jericho, Achan coveted and took some of the devoted items, directly disobeying God's command. When confronted, he initially hid his sin, which ultimately led to his downfall (Joshua 7:20-21). Achan's covetousness not only led him to steal but also to lie about his actions, demonstrating the destructive path that begins with a covetous heart.

In the New Testament, the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 provides another illustration. They sold a piece of property and, driven by covetousness, kept back part of the money for themselves while lying about it to the apostles. Their desire for wealth and recognition led them to deceive the early church, resulting in severe consequences. This account underscores the perilous link between covetousness and lying, as their desire for material gain led them to lie to the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul also warns against covetousness and its potential to lead to other sins. In his letter to the Ephesians, he writes, "But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people" (Ephesians 5:3). Here, greed, synonymous with covetousness, is listed alongside other sins, indicating its corrupting influence.

Furthermore, in Colossians 3:5, Paul instructs believers to "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" . By equating greed with idolatry, Paul emphasizes the seriousness of covetousness and its ability to lead believers away from truth and righteousness.

The Bible consistently portrays covetousness as a root sin that can lead to lying and other transgressions. It is a condition that distorts one's values and priorities, often resulting in actions that are contrary to God's commands. The biblical exhortation is clear: believers are to guard their hearts against covetousness, recognizing its potential to lead to deceit and spiritual ruin.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 5:22-25
And he said, All is well. My master has sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray you, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Tenth Commandment
... Dr. Boardman has shown how covetousness leads to the ... the covetous man with an idolater:
'Covetousness, which is ... falsehood: for instance, Gehazi, lying in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/tenth commandment.htm

Of the Source from which Covetousness Springs, and of the Evils of ...
... it shrinks not from the crime of lying, perjury, and ... the worship of idols, saying
"And covetousness (which in ... downfall this madness step by step leads, so that ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vii of the source.htm

Psalm XL.
... The "broad way" leads unto death, [1110] its breadth ... aside after them: they are
"vanities, and lying madnesses." Let ... Whither does worldly covetousness lead thee ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xl.htm

Self-Destruction
... of his path, and the ruin to which it leads. ... Then, when the lying spirit comes and
whispers to ... to pamper ourselves, our greediness, covetousness, ambition, or ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon viii self-destruction.htm

"For to be Carnally Minded is Death; but to be Spiritually Minded ...
... How thorny, how miry is the way of covetousness! ... a self destroyer, and that is done
by lying and deceiving. ... as of its own nature inevitably leads to destruction ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xix for to be.htm

The Pure in Heart
... snares for his creatures, or leads them into ... lest he frighten them into lying; to
avoid ... spite, vanity, bad temper, wounded pride, disappointed covetousness? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xvi the pure in.htm

Matt. xxviii. 11-14.
... were stuck on with the myrrh; for Peter saw these lying. ... But then, the one, covetousness,
urges to insult the other ... it places thee, to what men it leads thee on ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xc matt xxviii 11-14.htm

The one Escape.
... mine heart unto Thy testimonies, and not unto covetousness. ... ready to excuse a man
for lying, cringing, plotting ... and Truth, and Justice, which leads men into all ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xiii the one escape.htm

Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
... terms of ordinary morality, as theft, lying, and concealment ... bloodhounds following
up the scent which leads them straight ... Covetousness was the sin of all three. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/achans sin israels defeat.htm

The Valley of Achor
... Their defeat was caused by the covetousness of Achan ... again followed their assault,
and Achan lying stiff and ... Sorrow forsakes its own nature, and leads in its ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the valley of achor.htm