The Ten Commandments: Focus on Jesus, Not Stuff
Friday, June 2, 2023
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor." Exodus 20:17 NIV
Thoughts for Today
The tenth commandment focuses on a person's unseen evil motives and desires. Coveting can lead us to break the other nine commandments.
To covet is to wish for enviously, to long for or crave something, especially something that belongs to another person. This includes spouse, real estate, car, position, success, prosperity and so forth. A covetous person always wants more.
It is not wrong to desire things that will better our lives, but these desires can become a trap when they replace our focus on God.
Consider this …
We live in an age of instant gratification. Advertising touts stuff and more stuff. Everything from cars to designer clothes to the latest electronic gadgets. But all the stuff in the world cannot bring us peace or lasting joy. Only a relationship with Jesus can do that.
It is important to keep your perspective. Don't think that more money and stuff and power will produce happiness. Instead, seek above all else a personal relationship with Jesus. Seek God's plan for your life. Only then will you find true contentment.
Prayer
Father, help me keep my perspective and not covet anything or anyone. Forgive me for the times I have focused so much on my desire to advance my career … or obtain some thing … or just have my own way that it distracted me from focusing on Jesus. In His name …
These thoughts were drawn from … The Ten Commandments: Applying the Foundations of Living to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct and ethical decisions is essential for believers surrounded by relativistic values. This guide helps us understand God's boundaries. It shows how the Ten Commandments apply today. It also discusses the biblical laws on which the legal codes of every civilized society are based. This guide is written in a way that helps people see the Ten Commandments in light of today's problems. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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