Topical Bible: Temptation: Comes From: Covetousness

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Definition and Nature of Covetousness

Covetousness, often understood as an intense desire for something that belongs to another, is a significant source of temptation. It is a condition of the heart that leads individuals to yearn for possessions, status, or relationships that are not rightfully theirs. This desire can manifest in various forms, including greed, envy, and materialism, and is frequently condemned in Scripture as a root of sin.

Biblical References and Teachings

The Bible provides numerous warnings against covetousness, highlighting its destructive nature and its ability to lead individuals away from God. In the Ten Commandments, God explicitly commands, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). This commandment underscores the importance of contentment and the dangers of desiring what belongs to others.

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" . Here, Jesus emphasizes that true life and fulfillment are not found in material wealth but in spiritual richness and a relationship with God.

Covetousness as a Source of Temptation

Covetousness is a powerful source of temptation because it can lead individuals to prioritize worldly desires over spiritual values. The Apostle Paul identifies covetousness as idolatry in Colossians 3:5, urging 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 covetousness with idolatry, Paul highlights how it can replace God as the central focus of one's life.

James further explains the process by which covetousness leads to sin: "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:14-15). This passage illustrates the progression from covetous desire to temptation, sin, and ultimately spiritual death.

Examples and Consequences in Scripture

The Bible provides several examples of individuals who succumbed to temptation through covetousness. Achan's sin in Joshua 7 serves as a cautionary tale. Despite God's command to destroy all spoils of Jericho, Achan coveted and took some of the devoted items, leading to Israel's defeat and his own destruction.

Similarly, the account of King David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11 demonstrates how covetousness can lead to a cascade of sins, including adultery and murder. David's desire for Bathsheba, another man's wife, resulted in grave consequences for himself and his kingdom.

Admonitions and Encouragements

Believers are encouraged to cultivate contentment and trust in God's provision as antidotes to covetousness. 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 serves as a powerful reminder to resist the temptation of covetousness.

In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul shares his personal testimony of contentment, stating, "I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances... I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" . This passage encourages believers to rely on Christ's strength to overcome the temptation of covetousness and to find satisfaction in Him alone.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 6:9,10
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether the Mode and Order of the Temptation were Becoming?
... Therefore Matthew unfittingly gives the last place to the temptation to covetousness
on the mountain ... I answer that, The temptation which comes from the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the mode and order.htm

Warning.
... than for strength to resist when temptation has overtaken ... It comes in innocent guise,
and saps the life ... the fruits of extravagance, of pride, of covetousness? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter viii warning.htm

Hell on Earth
... respectable vices that the devil mostly tempts us,"to covetousness, to party ... When
temptation comes, when evil looks pleasant, and arguments rise up in your ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon ix hell on earth.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... 19:2). When the Spirit of God comes He is repulsed and grieved, but when temptation
comes, the sinner ... Covetousness is the root of all evil' (1 Timothy 6:10). ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

How a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him
... and everything made ready for that one temptation by which ... of the bow, greed is prudence,
covetousness is economy ... baked in the oven; but the bread comes to the ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/how a mans conduct comes.htm

The Tenth Commandment
... so much of it as may keep us from the temptation of poverty ... Whom God abhors he curses,
and his curse blasts wherever it comes. (6) Covetousness precipitates men ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 1 the tenth commandment.htm

On Sin and Its Kinds
... The followers of covetousness are: Want of charity, dishonest dealing ... Sloth comes
under the First Commandment, because it has ... Do not listen to that temptation. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 6 on sin and.htm

Secondly, to Assign Some Reasons Why Christians must Make this the ...
... were commanded by their lusts, they went after their covetousness. ... watchful heart
that discovers and suppresses the temptation before it comes to its ...
/.../flavel/on keeping the heart/secondly to assign some reasons.htm

On a Holy Martyr's Day
... and to withstand this kind of temptation, you must ... and naked." This is the rule against
spiritual covetousness. ... himself in true humility; this comes no doubt ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxxi on a holy.htm

Sermon on a Martyr's Day
... from these sins, and withstand this kind of temptation, you must ... This is the rule
against spiritual covetousness. ... himself in true humility, this comes no doubt ...
/.../xxvii sermon on a martyrs.htm