The Ten Commandments - Ninth & Tenth Commandments

The Ten Commandments

“Ninth & Tenth Commandments”

Coveting

Controlling Desires

“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

“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You COVET but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

-James 4:1-3

1st & 9th/10th deal with what is “In” the heart.

2nd – 8th deal with “Outward” actions that began in the heart.

Coveting is a matter of the HEART.

If we love our neighbor as ourself then we will not covet what they have, steal from them, lie about them or do anything that God prohibits.

We should always Pray to God to Change our heart.

Coveting Can Lead to Physical Death

King Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard

 (1 Kings 21)

Coveting Can Lead to Spiritual Death

The Rich Young Ruler

(Mark 10:17-22)



“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!  25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

-Mark 10:17-25 

Coveting Tempts us to “Take our Eye off the Ball”.

Be Content 

“I have learned [and still are learning] to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength

-Philippians 4:11-13