Covetousness is a significant sin in the Bible, often misunderstood and underestimated in its severity. It is specifically addressed in the Ten Commandments and is intricately linked with idolatry, as it deals with the desires of the heart. Let’s explore what covetousness truly means, how it differs from admiration, and how it ultimately affects our devotion to God.
The Command Against Covetousness
The foundational command against covetousness is found in the Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
The Hebrew word for covet here is חָמַד (chamad), meaning “to desire, to take pleasure in, to long for with a consuming passion.” Notice how specific this command is: it covers not just objects but relationships and even status.
What Does It Mean to Covet?
To covet is not simply to admire something or recognize its value. Covetousness is a heart condition where desire turns into discontentment and a craving for what belongs to another. It involves a longing so intense that it distorts contentment and breeds sinful thoughts, envy, and even actions.
James 1:14-15 describes how sin is conceived in the heart:
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
Covetousness begins with unchecked desire. It’s not a fleeting thought, but a growing, consuming hunger for what does not belong to you.
Coveting vs. Admiration
Admiration, on the other hand, acknowledges beauty, success, or blessing without craving it sinfully. The key distinction is contentment.
Admiration: “That is a beautiful home. I am happy for them.”
Coveting: “Why do they get that home? I deserve it more than they do.”
Paul provides clarity on the right heart attitude:
Philippians 4:11-12
“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content…I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound.”
Contentment safeguards the heart against covetousness. When admiration turns into dissatisfaction and envy, it crosses into coveting.
The Danger of Covetousness
Covetousness is a gateway sin; it often leads to further transgressions. The Bible shows how deeply it corrupts the heart and actions:
Achan’s Sin in Joshua 7:20-21
“Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel…When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them.”
Achan’s coveting led to theft and brought judgment upon Israel. Covetousness can spiral into greater sins like theft, deception, and even murder.
James 4:2 describes this chain reaction clearly:
“You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war.”
The gravity of covetousness is evident: it disrupts relationships, breeds conflict, and ultimately dishonors God.
Covetousness as Idolatry
Paul makes a direct connection between covetousness and idolatry:
Colossians 3:5
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Why is covetousness linked with idolatry? Because it elevates the object of desire above God Himself. Covetousness shifts trust, devotion, and satisfaction away from God toward created things.
Matthew 6:24 reinforces this idea:
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other… You cannot serve God and mammon.”
When the heart desires material wealth or possessions more than God, it dethrones Him as Lord.
How to Guard Against Covetousness
Contentment is the antidote to covetousness. Paul emphasizes this:
Timothy 6:6-8
“Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.”
Trust in God’s Provision
Covetousness often arises from a lack of trust in God’s ability to provide.
Jesus addresses this in Matthew 6:33:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
Fix Your Heart on Eternal Things
Earthly possessions are temporary.
2 Corinthians 4:18 reminds us:
“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Recognize the Deceitfulness of Wealth
Jesus warned about the deceitful nature of wealth:
Luke 12:15:
“Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”
My Final Thoughts
Covetousness is far more than a surface-level desire for something nice. It is a heart issue where the desire for something (or someone) displaces God as the ultimate source of satisfaction and trust. The sin of covetousness often masks itself as ambition or harmless admiration, but is deadly when unchecked, leading to deeper sins like theft, envy, and idolatry.
The cure is simple yet profound: contentment in Christ alone. When we trust God fully and keep our hearts fixed on eternity, the grip of covetousness loses its power.
Idolatry, in its simplest form, is the worship of anything other than God. While it often brings to mind carved images and pagan altars, the Bible reveals that idolatry goes far deeper than mere physical statues. It is a matter of the heart, where anything placed above God in importance, devotion, or trust becomes an idol. Idolatry is ultimately a rejection of the one true God in favor of lesser things.
Idolatry as Carved Images
The most obvious form of idolatry is seen in the worship of carved images. God strictly forbade this in the Ten Commandments:
Exodus 20:3-5
“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.”
The Israelites were clearly commanded not to create physical representations for worship. However, even with this command, they quickly fell into idolatry when their faith wavered.
Exodus 32:1-4 describes the golden calf incident:
“Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, ‘Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And Aaron said to them, ‘Break off the golden earrings…and bring them to me.’ Then he received the gold…and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!'”
The golden calf was not just a statue; it represented a replacement for God in their hearts. Their faith had shifted from God who had delivered them to a visible, created object. This is the essence of idolatry: placing faith in something other than God.
Idolatry Is More Than Statues
The Bible shows that idolatry goes beyond carved images and includes anything that takes priority over God in our hearts. Paul exposes the broader nature of idolatry:
Colossians 3:5
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Covetousness, desiring something so intensely it replaces God in the heart, is described as idolatry. The issue is the heart’s allegiance. Anything that demands ultimate trust, devotion, or satisfaction in place of God becomes an idol.
Modern Forms of Idolatry
Modern idols often take the form of wealth, success, relationships, entertainment, and personal desires. These can become idols when they occupy the throne of our heart where only God belongs.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Mammon, or wealth, can be worshiped just like a physical idol when it becomes the source of trust and security instead of God.
Ezekiel 14:3 speaks of idols in the heart:
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their hearts, and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity.”
Idolatry is about what captures our hearts and affections more than God Himself.
The Link Between Worship and Faith
Idolatry reveals a failure of faith. The Israelites worshiped the golden calf because they lacked trust in the unseen God who had delivered them. Similarly, modern idolatry is rooted in relying on things we can see and control rather than trusting the unseen God.
Hebrews 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
True worship flows from faith: complete trust and reliance on God above all else.
Worship as Devotion
Worship is more than singing or lifting hands. It is about devotion, surrender, and allegiance. When anything takes God’s place in our hearts, it corrupts our worship. True worship exalts God as the highest priority.
Deuteronomy 6:5
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
This verse describes total devotion (heart, soul, and strength belong to God alone).
John 4:23-24
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
True worship is grounded in truth, centered on God, and led by the Spirit. Anything less opens the door to idolatry.
A Call to Faithful Devotion
Joshua understood the danger of idolatry and called the people to choose whom they would serve. His declaration is a timeless standard for every believer:
Joshua 24:14-15
“Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth… And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua made a clear choice: God alone would be the center of his home’s worship and devotion. His words challenge us today. What or who is truly the focus of our heart?
My Final Thoughts
Idolatry is more than ancient statues; it is anything that captures our devotion, trust, and worship above God. Whether wealth, relationships, status, or even self, idols rob God of the place He alone deserves. Faith and true worship require wholehearted trust in God, surrendering all other allegiances.
Ask yourself: Is there anything in your life drawing more attention, trust, or devotion than God? Tear down the idols of the heart and choose today whom you will serve.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
As born-again Christians, we are called to be spiritually minded, setting our focus not on the fleeting things of this world but on the eternal things above. Scripture clearly directs us in this mindset, reminding us that our true citizenship and inheritance are not of this earth but in heaven.
Colossians 3:1-2 sets the foundation for this study:
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
This is a command, not a suggestion. To set our minds on things above means to actively choose a heavenly perspective, aligning our thoughts and desires with God’s truth. The believer’s new identity in Christ demands a shift in focus.
The Carnal Mind vs. The Spiritual Mind
Paul contrasts the carnal mind with the spiritual mind:
Romans 8:5-6:
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
The carnal mind is consumed with earthly concerns (pleasures, worries, ambitions, and self-gratification). It ultimately leads to death. However, the spiritually minded person experiences life and peace because their mind is governed by the truth and presence of God.
Philippians 3:18-20 reinforces this idea:
“For many walk… whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The spiritually minded understand that they are merely sojourners here, awaiting their true home in heaven. This mindset brings clarity to life’s priorities and trials.
Transformation Through Renewing the Mind
To set our minds on things above requires a transformation: a renewal of the mind.
Romans 12:2 commands:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
This renewal happens as we immerse ourselves in the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Our thoughts become aligned with His thoughts, our desires with His desires.
Isaiah 26:3 promises peace for the spiritually minded:
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
The peace of God is directly tied to where our mind is fixed: on Him.
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
2 Corinthians 4:18 shifts our perspective:
“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Faith requires us to focus on the unseen promises of God, not the visible challenges of this life. This mindset helps us persevere through trials with hope.
Hebrews 12:2 gives us the ultimate example:
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Christ Himself endured suffering because His focus was on the joy set before Him (the redemption of mankind and His return to glory).
Practical Ways to Set Your Mind on Things Above
Meditate on the Word
: Psalm 1:2: “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”
Prayer and Communion with God: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.”
Guard Your Thoughts: 2 Corinthians 10:5: “Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
Think on What is Pure: Philippians 4:8: “Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report…meditate on these things.”
My Final Thoughts
To set our minds on things above is not simply a spiritual suggestion but a command for every born-again believer. It requires daily surrender, intentional focus, and a desire to live with eternity in view. The spiritually minded believer will experience peace, joy, and clarity as they walk in the Spirit.
Ask yourself: Are your thoughts consumed with the temporary or the eternal? True spiritual growth begins when we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Stay anchored in His Word, live in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and keep your heart set on the promises of heaven.
Throughout the Bible, the right hand of God is a symbol of power, authority, blessing, and salvation. The right hand often represents strength and the working of God’s will, while the left hand is rarely mentioned in a positive sense, often signifying weakness or a lack of blessing in comparison.
The Right Hand as a Symbol of Power and Authority
The right hand of God represents His supreme power and authority over all creation. In Exodus 15:6, Moses declares, “Your right hand, O Lord, has become glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, has dashed the enemy in pieces.” The right hand here is associated with victory and divine strength in deliverance.
Similarly, in Psalm 118:16, it says, “The right hand of the Lord is exalted; the right hand of the Lord does valiantly.” God’s right hand is consistently portrayed as a source of victory and triumph over enemies.
The Right Hand as a Place of Honor
The right hand also signifies honor and preeminence. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He sat at the right hand of God, a place of supreme authority. Hebrews 1:3 states, “who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
In Psalm 110:1, David prophesied, “The Lord said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’” This points directly to Jesus’ divine authority and His future victory over all powers.
The Right Hand as Protection and Help
The right hand is also a symbol of God’s protection and support for His people. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
In Psalm 16:8, David writes, “I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”
The right hand is a constant reminder of God’s sustaining strength and the assurance of His presence in times of trouble.
The Right Hand as Blessing and Favor
The right hand is closely tied to blessing and favor in Scripture. When Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons in Genesis 48:13-14, he crossed his hands, intentionally placing his right hand on Ephraim, giving him the greater blessing, even though Manasseh was the firstborn. This reveals the right hand as a conduit of God’s chosen favor.
The Left Hand in Scripture
The left hand in Scripture is rarely used in a positive context. It often symbolizes lesser strength or importance compared to the right hand. Ecclesiastes 10:2 says, “A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left.”
Jesus, in describing the final judgment, distinguishes the saved from the unsaved using the imagery of the right and left hand. Matthew 25:33 states, “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” The right hand represents those who inherit the kingdom, while the left hand represents those who are cast into eternal punishment.
Knowing Right from Wrong: The Phrase “Right Hand from the Left”
The right hand from the left is often used in Scripture to represent moral discernment, knowing right from wrong.
In Jonah 4:11, God speaks of the people of Nineveh saying, “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left (and much livestock)?” This emphasizes their spiritual ignorance and lack of moral understanding.
The book of Deuteronomy 5:32 instructs, “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” This signifies the importance of staying on the path of righteousness without deviation.
Proverbs 4:27 adds, “Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.” The idea here is a call to remain steadfast in the way of righteousness without compromise or confusion.
The Disciples Arguing About the Right and Left Hand of Jesus
The concept of the right and left hand also arises in the New Testament when the disciples, specifically James and John, desired positions of honor next to Jesus in His kingdom.
In Mark 10:35-37, it says:
“Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, ‘Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.’ And He said to them, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ They said to Him, ‘Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.’”
This request reveals a misunderstanding of the nature of the Kingdom of God. The right hand, as discussed earlier, represents authority and favor, while the left hand, though often of lesser prominence, was still a place of distinction in human terms. However, Jesus clarifies that such positions are not about power but servanthood.
In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus responds:
“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus’ teaching here emphasizes that true greatness in the Kingdom is not about proximity to power but humility and servanthood. Positions of honor in God’s Kingdom are determined by righteousness, not human ambition.
My Final Thoughts
The right hand of God consistently symbolizes His power, authority, protection, and blessing, while the left hand often represents lesser status or even judgment. The distinction between right and left in Scripture serves as a reminder of moral clarity and discernment between righteousness and sin. The right hand of God, ultimately fulfilled in Christ seated at the Father’s right hand, is where all power, honor, and victory reside. As believers, we are called to walk in the strength and wisdom of God’s right hand, discerning between right and wrong according to His Word.
The word Ecclesia (ἐκκλησία) is a Greek term derived from ek (out of) and kaleo (to call). It means “the called-out ones” or “an assembly.” It refers to a gathering of believers who have been called out from the world to belong to Christ and to function as His body on earth.
The concept of Ecclesia is foundational to understanding what it means to be the Church, how we fellowship, and our mission as the Body of Christ. Let’s break this down with Scripture.
The Meaning of Ecclesia
The word Ecclesia is used consistently throughout the New Testament to describe both the universal body of believers and the local gatherings of Christians.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says:
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church (Ecclesia), and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
This reveals that the Church belongs to Christ, built upon the foundation of faith in Him, and is both spiritual and unstoppable. The Church is not a building but a people.
Paul echoes this truth in Colossians 1:18:
“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
The Church is described as a living body where Christ is the head, and we, the believers, are its members.
What It Means to Be the Church
Being the Church means being the body of Christ, functioning together as His representation on earth. We are called to unity, love, and mutual service.
Romans 12:4-5 explains:
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
1 Corinthians 12:27 states:
“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”
Each believer plays a role in the health and mission of the Church. Some teach, some encourage, some serve, but all are vital (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).
Fellowship and the Purpose of Gathering
The purpose of Christian fellowship (koinonia – κοινωνία) is deeper than casual gatherings; it is a shared life centered around Christ.
Acts 2:42 provides the model for biblical fellowship:
“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
Fellowship includes:
Teaching:
Growing in the Word together.
Breaking Bread: Sharing meals, including Communion.
Prayer: Corporate and personal prayer.
Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes the importance of not neglecting fellowship:
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
The Mission of the Church
The Church exists to glorify God and make disciples of all nations.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20):
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Our mission includes:
Preaching the Gospel
(Mark 16:15).
Making Disciples (2 Timothy 2:2).
Serving the Needy (James 1:27).
Equipping Believers (Ephesians 4:11-13).
The Importance of Not Forsaking Fellowship
The early church understood the power of gathering. Fellowship strengthens faith, accountability, and spiritual growth. Neglecting it can lead to spiritual isolation and vulnerability.
Proverbs 27:17 reminds us:
“As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
The Church is meant to function as a family, bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) and encouraging one another in faith (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
The Universal Church vs. The Local Church
The Bible makes a clear distinction between the universal Church and the local church. Both expressions of Ecclesia are significant and serve unique roles within God’s design for His people.
The Universal Church
The universal Church (Ecclesia) refers to the entire body of believers across all times and places who are united in Christ. This Church is spiritual and transcends physical boundaries.
Ephesians 1:22-23 describes the universal Church:
“And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
The universal Church consists of all who have been born again and belong to Christ, regardless of denomination, culture, or location. It is the bride of Christ (Revelation 19:7-9), the global body that will one day be presented to Him blameless and without spot (Ephesians 5:25-27).
The Local Church
The local church, also called Ecclesia, is the physical gathering of believers in a specific location for worship, teaching, fellowship, and service. The New Testament is filled with references to local churches established in various cities.
Acts 14:23 reveals the pattern of establishing local churches:
“So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”
Paul frequently wrote to specific local churches, such as:The church in Corinth
(1 Corinthians 1:2).
The church in Ephesus (Ephesians 1:1).
The church in Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:1).
The universal Church is incomplete without the expression of local churches, as the local church provides the context for spiritual growth, service, and community under biblical leadership.
My Final Thoughts
The Church, the Ecclesia, is not a building but a people: the called-out assembly of believers united in Christ. Fellowship is essential for spiritual health, mutual encouragement, and fulfilling the mission of making disciples. As the body of Christ, we are to gather, grow, and go, always remembering that we belong to Him and each other. If you are part of the body of Christ, you have a role to play; do not neglect the fellowship, but lean into it for strength and growth.