This innate human trait is consistently considered undesirable, as it involves developing an intense desire for something that belongs to somebody else. Whether it’s goods, relationships, or status, coveting is traditionally viewed as a destructive influence that can jeopardize communal harmony and personal wellbeing.
What Does the Bible Say About Coveting?
The Bible provides a clear stance on the topic of coveting. In the Ten Commandments, the directive against coveting is a definitive reminder to focus on contentment with one’s circumstances rather than yearning for what others possess. Coveting, according to this commandment, can apply to a neighbor’s house, spouse, servants, ox, donkey, or anything else that belongs to them. Emphasizing not only material wealth, but relationships and status as well, the commandment underscores the comprehensive nature of coveting’s destructiveness. The Bible, in its wisdom, calls for a life of gratitude, contentment, and respect for the belongings and relationships of others.
Why Is Coveting Considered Wrong In The Bible?
Coveting is viewed as negative within the perspectives of the Bible for several reasons. The first and foremost reason is that it destabilizes the individual’s state of contentment. An obsessive desire for others’ possessions can make it impossible to appreciate and take stock of one’s own blessings and achievements. Moreover, coveting can also lead to other sins such as theft, adultery, and even murder. Coveting, thus, acts as a gateway to much graver transgressions, prompting a destructive spiral of unwanted actions and emotions. It diverts individuals from the path of righteousness, love, and mutual respect, leading them inadvertently towards negativity and harm.
When Does the Bible Warn About Coveting?
The Bible offers timely warnings about the pitfalls of coveting throughout its verses. The mention of coveting in the Ten Commandments is perhaps the most renowned warning against the trait. This sentiment resounds across multiple books, underscoring the consequences of allowing such desires to govern one’s life and decisions. The warnings against coveting seek to guide individuals towards recognizing the value in what they already possess, instead of longing for other people’s belongings.
Who In The Bible Fell Into The Sin Of Coveting?
The Bible offers numerous examples of individuals succumbing to the sin of coveting. The story of King David and Bathsheba is perhaps one of the most impactful such examples. David coveted his friend Uriah’s wife, Bathsheba, leading him down a path of adultery and even murder. Similarly, Ahab’s coveting of Naboth’s vineyard resulted in deceit and murder. These instances highlight the devastating consequences that can transpire when individuals give into the desire of coveting.
How Does the Bible Teach to Overcome Coveting?
The Bible imparts wisdom on how to triumph over the instinct of coveting. It urges individuals to cultivate gratitude, appreciate their blessings, and respect that which belongs to others. It encourages contentment with one’s possessions and accomplishments, urging individuals to understand that they have been endowed with exactly what they need. The Bible also emphasizes love, generosity, and understanding as counteractions to coveting, promoting the overall wellbeing of both individuals and communities.
Below is the full list of bible verses on coveting (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Coveting
Exodus 20:17
“17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
Related Themes: Lust Envy And Jealousy Adultery Greed
Romans 7:7
“7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”
Deuteronomy 5:21
“21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.”
1 Timothy 6:10
“10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Romans 13:9
“9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Ephesians 5:3
“3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;”
Luke 12:15
“15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Greed Lust Materialism
Ephesians 5:5
“5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Colossians 3:5
“5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”
Mark 7:20-23
“20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man.21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
Proverbs 4:23
“23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Related Themes: Dating Lust Creativity Heart Life
Ephesians 4:28
“28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
James 4:3
“3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
Related Themes: Lust Unanswered Prayer Greed Prayer
Matthew 6:19-21
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Money Homelessness Finances Materialism
Hebrews 13:5
“5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Related Themes: Money Loneliness Finances Complaining Greed
Micah 2:2
“2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage.”
Matthew 5:28
“28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
James 1:14-15
“14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
Related Themes: Lust Indulgence
Matthew 5:27-28
“27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
Acts 20:33-35
“33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
1 Timothy 6:6-10
“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Related Themes: Lust Money Finances Contentment
Proverbs 21:26
“26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.”
1 Corinthians 12:31
“31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
Related Themes: Excellence
Romans 13:8-10
“8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Exodus 18:21
“21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:”
Related Themes: Leadership Integrity
Luke 1:37
“37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Criticism Strangers Creativity Faith
Matthew 6:33
“33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
1 Corinthians 14:39
“39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”
2 Corinthians 9:5
“5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.”
Related Themes: Generosity Money
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
