Only God calls us out on our inner desires

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’” The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. LUKE 18:18-24 NLT

Coveting is an inner desire for what others have

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s. EXODUS 20:17 KJV

Coveting costs me…

Relationships with people I need

The people in the camp were jealous of Moses and envious of Aaron, the LORD’s holy priest. PSALM 106:16 NLT
For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy. MARK 15:10 NLT
But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said. ACTS 13:45 NLT
Greed brings grief to the whole family… PROVERBS 15:27 NLT
Coveting is the most common sin but the least confessed

Enjoyment of the things I have

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13 NLT

My purpose for living

Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind. ECCLESIASTES 4:4 NLT
Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” LUKE 12:15 NLT
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 1 TIMOTHY 6:6 NLT

The blessings of God

Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands…If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you… But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed…This is the key to your life… DEUTERONOMY 30:15-18, 20B NLT

Community Group Discussion Guide

1. As you scroll social media or drive down the street, what are some of the silly or small things others have that you wish you had in your life?
2. Read Exodus 20:17. Why do you think God included coveting (desiring what someone else has) as one of the Ten Commandments?
3. Read Ecclesiastes 4:4. What are some of the general and specific things that coveting has taken or robbed you of recently?
4. Coveting is one of the most common and yet least confessed sins in the Bible. What makes you hesitant to confess your real desires?
5. What are some of the hidden things that you covet that you need to confess to us so that you can begin healing?
6. Read Deuteronomy 30:15-20. As we enter this series and have opportunities to confess and make changes to how we live, how do you plan on making those changes in your life and making them stick?

Personal Reflection Guide

Read Deuteronomy 8. As you do, ask God to use the words to speak to your heart. Intentionally allow the verses to prompt you to examine yourself. Pause as you feel convicted and confess those areas where wanting what you can’t have is robbing you of experiencing God’s fullest blessing in your life. What is it that is keeping you from trusting God to provide good things for you? What is keeping you from seeing and having joy in what he has given you? Invite God into those areas in your heart that need healing. Now, make a list of the things God has given you. What you do have that blesses you? Thank him for these things, and ask him to bless you again–with a spirit of gratitude. Close your time with a prayer of thankfulness for each thing that made your list. Keep it, add to it and refer back to it when you feel tempted again to covet what others have.