Topical Bible: Covetousness: Pray Against

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Covetousness, often synonymous with greed or avarice, is a strong desire for the possessions or wealth of others. It is a condition of the heart that the Bible warns against repeatedly, as it can lead to various sins and spiritual downfall. The Tenth Commandment explicitly addresses this issue: "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 importance of contentment and the dangers of desiring what is not rightfully ours.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns against covetousness in Luke 12:15, saying, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" . This teaching emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth but in spiritual richness and a relationship with God.

The Apostle Paul also addresses covetousness in his epistles, equating it with idolatry. In Colossians 3:5, he writes, "Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" . Here, covetousness is seen as a form of idolatry because it places material desires above God, leading individuals away from His will and purpose.

Praying against covetousness involves seeking God's help to cultivate a heart of contentment and gratitude. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, promising that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . Through prayer, believers can ask for the strength to resist the temptation of covetousness and to find satisfaction in God's provision.

Furthermore, Hebrews 13:5 advises, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you'" . This assurance of God's presence and provision is a powerful antidote to the anxiety and dissatisfaction that often accompany covetousness.

In prayer, believers can also seek the Holy Spirit's guidance to transform their desires and align them with God's will. Galatians 5:16-17 encourages walking by the Spirit to avoid gratifying the desires of the flesh, which include covetousness. By relying on the Spirit, Christians can develop the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and self-control, which counteract the impulses of greed and envy.

Ultimately, praying against covetousness is an act of surrender, acknowledging that God is the ultimate provider and that His plans are perfect. By trusting in His goodness and provision, believers can find true contentment and joy, free from the bondage of covetous desires.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:36
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

1 Timothy ii. 4-Feb
... on that account raise troubles [1172] against them; he ... Gentiles," why dost thou refuse
to pray for them ... 1182] that makes it please, but covetousness and iniquity ...
/.../homily vii 1 timothy ii.htm

Homilies on the Epistles to Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
... privileges, [3209]418; must not pray against each other ... a contest, [3211]424; bid
to pray everywhere, [3212 ... Covetousness, admits no friendship, [3249]469; cure of ...
/.../homilies on the epistles to.htm

On the Same Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way," Etc.
... 4. Seemeth he to pray against her, or for her ... the medicine of humility; let him against
the swelling ... But peradventure in covetousness thou wouldest possess all ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xcii on the same.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... For the iniquity of his covetousness was I ... The people of God pray against the iniquity
of the times, that God will give a check to sin, that He will put sin to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

Kept from Iniquity
... face of the sun." Strive against thine anger; strive against thy covetousness; strive
against ... The true path of safety is to pray and believe against all sin ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/kept from iniquity.htm

1 Timothy ii. 10-Aug
... Not washed with water, but free from covetousness, murder, rapacity ... praying forgive,
if ye have aught against any one ... Mark 11:25.) This is to pray without wrath ...
/.../homily viii 1 timothy ii.htm

Against those who Object Because the Devil Has not Been Put Out of ...
... but also on the part of the faithful against the faithful ... Pray is the creation too,
wicked ... But if thou are not wary, thou stretchest them out unto covetousness. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii against those who.htm

Again, on Matt. vi. On the Lord's Prayer. To the Competentes.
... earth a temptation?" [2018] What then do we pray for ... the devil or the devil's minister,
do against thee ... to seduce thee, let him only find no covetousness in thee ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon vii again on matt.htm

"Because the Carnal Mind is Enmity against God, for it is not ...
... is a rebellion of the will against God's holy ... enemies to God, but I pray you consider ...
Are filthiness, drunkenness, Sabbath breaking, covetousness and love of ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xx because the carnal.htm

Matt. xxviii. 11-14.
... and luxury, and then having set against them poverty ... fair, and well-favored damsel,
but covetousness like some ... For bring not forward, I pray thee, them that ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xc matt xxviii 11-14.htm