The Subtle Sin

November 5, 2019

When contemplating the gravity of God’s Ten Commandments, we tend to give more “weight” to numbers 6, 7, and 8 (thou shalt not murder, commit adultery, steal). If we abstain from these “big three,” then we foolishly believe we are obedient in following His commands. While this is partially true, we are obeying three of His commandments, the recognition that there are SEVEN additional and equally important commands gets bypassed, lost in translation, much less applied.

Today, I submit to you that I regularly and unconsciously break the tenth commandment. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor” (Exodus 20:17 NIV, emphasis added). No, I do not covet in a lustful way, which is how I believe most perceive this commandment to indicate…as if an extension to committing adultery. Breaking this commandment is something I call the subtle sin. Sin we frequently commit without realizing it. Sin that doesn’t hurt others (or does it?). Sin that appears harmless until it’s cleverly hidden thorns wound you, deteriorate your ability to live in wholeness, and rob you of contentment. Please allow me to explain…

You shall not covet…Covet (defined by vocabulary.com) is a verb: “wish, long, or crave for (something, especially the property of another person).”

To not covet, is to not compare. To not be jealous of another. To be content with yourself, your situation, your surroundings. The tenth commandment looks a little different now, doesn’t it?

We compare ALL the time, at least that’s what I catch myself doing! Ourselves to another. Our current self to one of five, ten, fifteen years ago. Our stuff to our neighbor’s stuff. Our talents to someone else’s talents. We covet when we compare. Period. This is a difficult concept to swallow, especially because it’s something we all do.

We live in a fallen world, where we wrestle and are restless.

We are ravaged by a hunger for more.

We constantly crave others’ things.

We complain. We compare. We covet. We live a live life of discontentment.

Imagine this with me. A well educated man of means, living fat off of lies, wielding justice as he saw fit. A man both feared and respected. A man who was suddenly struck blind, dramatically altering life as he knew it. Now, this same man, suddenly redeemed, had his blinders literally removed, and began experiencing a significantly different and difficult life . While living out his new-found God-given purpose, he spent years imprisoned, yet continued joyfully praising His redeemer. Doesn’t seem plausible, much less desirable, does it? However, this is exactly how the apostle Paul learned how to live in obedience of God’s Tenth Commandment.

Paul writes, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). These words written from a jail cell.

“How is this possible?” you may ask. Why is Paul so content? What enables him to move past wanting, longing, and craving his former “comfortable” life? The answer is found in the next scripture verse.

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NRSV).

Paul experienced lives in extreme polar opposite circumstances, yet he actively chose contentment, gratitude and praise in the arduous–not through his own strength, but through Christ.

Can you fathom this type of peace? A life without coveting, craving, or comparing? An abundant life, glorifying Him, whatever the circumstances?

“Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these” (1 Timothy 6:6-8 NRSV).

My desire, in a world where coveting and comparing are commonplace, is contentment. Urban Dictionary states, “Contentment is true peace of mind and has absolutely nothing to do with any external pleasure or condition, but rather your attitude.” I want to live in this kind of joyful obedience. I yearn for this all encompassing peace. Will you join me, leaning into contentment and turning away from the subtle sin?