The Sin Nobody Will Admit To Series

The Sin Nobody will Admit to

Exodus 20:17

Introduction

Today, we come to the last of the 10 Commandments. In these Laws of God governing our daily living here on earth, we have seen that God has a high standard that He expects His people to strive for in life. I trust that as we have moved along through these verses, that you have seen some area in your life maybe where you recognized the need for some correction and have made the efforts necessary to change, in order to come in line with God’s Word.

As we look at this 10th Commandment, which reads, “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” The first characteristic I notice is that this Commandment represents a move away from actions and goes into the realm of attitude. You see all the previous Commandments have their origins in the heart and mind of man, they all find their ultimate expression in some type of physical activity. This Commandment though is different! While there is evidence of lying, stealing, adultery, murder, disobedience to parents, taking God’s Name in vain, making graven images and having other gods before God, there is usually little or no evidence of covetousness. As a result, this is a sin that is rarely, if ever confessed and owned up to. IN truth, we are all guilty, we just won’t admit it to ourselves, others or the Lord. Of all the Commandments listed, this is probably the one most often broken and the one that will most readily cause you to break the other nine. In our time together today, we will see that covetousness is a serious sin and that it needs to be confessed and forsaken by every child of God.

There are many, who if they were honest, would have to admit that they possessed a covetous heart! One cannot read the Bible without finding incident after incident where men wanted that which wasn’t theirs. In the Garden of Eden, Eve coveted the forbidden fruit and brought sin and death into the world. At Ai, Achen coveted some gold, silver and expensive garments and brought defeat to a nation and death to himself and his family. Ahab coveted Naboth’s vineyard and committed murder in his attempt to grab what belonged to another. David coveted Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife, and as a result brought the sword of God into his household for generations to come. The list goes on and on. Today, let’s look at little more closely at this Commandment as we consider this though, “the Sin Nobody Will Admit to.”

I. Covetousness Diseases all of Life

a. It Makes us Greedy of Gain

• When we are possessed of a covetous heart, we are never satisfied with that which we have!

o There will always be a powerful urge for more.

o It is interesting to note that the word “covet” means “to desire greatly.”

o It usually has reference to an object.

o When we are guilty of covetousness, we are guilty of having a heart for things instead of a heart for the Lord.

o When we come to the place where we are never satisfied with God’s blessings and we are always looking for a way to increase our possessions, then we should face the fact that we are just plain greedy!

• Many are like the man who was tired of his friends owning nicer homes than his. He always felt inferior to them and decided to even things out a bit. He went to see a realtor and put his home on the market and began to search for anew one. One day as he was reading the paper, he came across a listing for a home that seemed to be just what he was looking for. So, he called the realtor and said that he would like to see this home, that he was interested in purchasing. The realtor replied, “Sir, that is your house!”

• Sounds like us doesn’t it? We always think the grass is a little greener just down the road.

o If I can get this thing, or that job, or this much money in the bank, then I will be happy.

o It will never happen!

o The more we have, the more we want!

o Humans by nature are greedy and self-centered, always trying to grab more than they can hold.

o This attitude poisons life and creates a sourness of heart and a bitterness of disposition.

o The covetous person is never content, but they are always reaching out for more.

b. It Makes us Grab Another’s Wealth

• According to this verse, a covetous heart may cause you to go after things that are not your to go after.