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Thou shalt not covet
Gregor:
Ex.20:17 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 a@@, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
Interesting word, covet. According to Dictionary.com:
cov·et
–verb (used with object)
1. to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another's property.
2. to wish for, esp. eagerly: He won the prize they all coveted.
–verb (used without object)
3. to have an inordinate or wrongful desire.
v. tr.
1. To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy.
2. To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire.
v. intr.
To feel immoderate desire for that which is another's.
I was recently speaking with a friend about Ray's teaching regarding Eve having sin in her heart prior to eating the forbidden fruit. My friend said that the 3 catagories (lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, pride of life) in Gen. 3:6 are not sin, but part of the temptation. This does not negate that the sin itself is rooted in our hearts. But if Satan also tempted Christ in the wilderness it is obviously not sin to be tempted. Is it not wrong to have strong desire for something as long as it is yours in the first place? According to Ray, when Adam first saw Eve he declared "Now this is bone of my bone..." and (assumption follows) found Eve pleasant to the eye, pleasant to the flesh, and desireable. Given that Eve was created specifically for Adam he wouldn't be coveting something that was already his. But that sounds like Eve is then considered a possession of/or belonging to Adam. (I'm not trying to imply or offend here ladies, just trying to figure out what makes coveting what it is, so please don't hate :P)
Paul tells us in 1Cor.12:31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a better way. Would this imply that the gifts are already ours for the receiving, so as not to be coveting?
To sum up all these thoughts, at what point does desire (the strength of temptation) turn into lust or turn into coveting?? Are they all the same meanings, but different strengths/results?
sonofone:
Good luck with this one G!
Craig:
--- Quote ---My friend said that the 3 catagories (lust of the eye, lust of the flesh, pride of life) in Gen. 3:6 are not sin, but part of the temptation. This does not negate that the sin itself is rooted in our hearts. But if Satan also tempted Christ in the wilderness it is obviously not sin to be tempted. Is it not wrong to have strong desire for something as long as it is yours in the first place?
--- End quote ---
First off I would have had a hard time not looking incredulously at my friend.
Of course it is not a sin to be tempted. Yes, Christ was tempted by Satan, but it is a far s t r e t c h to make the assumption that Christ actually desired, lusted or showed pride when considering satan's temptation.
Here is an example. Let's say you put a drug in front of me and says "use this, it will make you feel good". In considering my response I would not feel any pull or desire/lust to take you up on the offer, and would decline without sin. Now, put a beautiful naked person of the female persuasion in front of me and have her say "take me I'm yours" I may decline the offer, but I can tell you the desire and lust would still be there even if I turned her down, and I would have sinned in the process.
Craig
hillsbororiver:
Great point Craig,
This is another angle of coveting and lust and the other sins that can arise even though a physical act has not been made.
My neighbor just pulled in his driveway with a brand new Corvette, loaded.
Why can he afford something like that and I can't? If only I had that car my life would be so much more enjoyable. Is he just trying to make himself look like a big shot? Is he selling drugs? I bet he is cheating on his taxes. (Is thinking like this sin?)
I want that car!
But I did not steal it. (So I am Christlike and guiltless?)
Peace,
Joe
Craig:
Stealing is only one manifestation of the sin you already committed. Iff your neighbor walks next door and gives you the keys and you accept, you still sinned.
Craig
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