This post is Day 13 in a series of studies about “Commandments”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Commandments – Day 13

A few days ago, we discussed the 7th commandment to not commit adultery, and the origin of that in Genesis 2:23. In our verse today, which is the last of the ten commands from The Lord, we get a strong order to not even allow ourselves to think about adultery!

Exodus 20:17

You shall not covet your neighbour’s house. You shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.

The Thought

To covet is not a word most of us use in everyday language! In “The Living Bible”, this verse reads: You must not be envious of your neighbour’s house, or want to sleep with his wife, or want to own his slaves, oxen, donkeys, or anything else he has. That makes it very clear! Wanting the possessions of others is not a good idea!

A few days ago, (Day 10), we discussed the 7th commandment to not commit adultery. The origin of that is at the very beginning of the Bible in Genesis 2:23. In our verse today, which is the last of the ten commands from The Lord, we get a strong order to not even allow ourselves to think about adultery!

Jealousy and envy can lead us into a lot of trouble. It is better to be satisfied with what we have while working for more. Not just for ourselves but as a heritage for the next generation.

Proverbs 23:7 tells us As a man thinks in his heart, so he is. That goes for women too!

Action

As you go through your day today try to make a mental note of what you think about when you have nothing specific to think about! Are you easily distracted? By what?

We can admire other people’s possessions or gifts, without allowing ourselves to really get into jealousy or wrong desires.

Read again the ten commandments in Exodus 20. Make a mental note of any that Jesus might be prompting you to work on. None of us is perfect and we all need prayer concerning the things we think and do that are not of The Lord.

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