By definition, to covet something means to wish for it. Let's say my neighbor bought a fancy new bible. I saw his new bible and I said, "I wish I had one of those." What's wrong with that?
OR....how about this....Let's say my neighbor brought his teenage girlfriend over when his wife was on vacation. Would it be wrong if I said, "I wish your girlfriend would leave you." I'm coveting his girlfriend but I'm also concerned about his marriage. Where do you draw the line?
2007-04-05 07:32:56 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you look at it from the Buddhist perspective, to want something causes suffering.
The Christian religion probably also doesn't want your attention taken away from God just to think about how you want some temporary happiness.
2007-04-05 07:35:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Coveteuosness is desiring the things your neighbor has, not wanting similar things. It's not "Oh I wish I had one of those" it's "I wish I had THAT." Wishing your neighbor's girlfriend would leave him is not coveting her, it's putting your nose in someone else's business. If you say, "Man I wish she'd come over here," then that would be coveting. It's wrong to covet because it creates a situation of dissatisfaction with what God has given us, envy for what He has given someone else, and across the board takes our focus off of Him and puts it onto material things, that will not last. It is physical, spiritual, and emotional poison, and it will erode you from the inside out.
2007-04-05 07:39:17 · answer #2 · answered by Steve 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Covet has a deeper meaning that just wishing for it.
I means you look at it longingly, to want, not something like your neighbor's, what your neighbor has. This leads to thoughts of taking it from your neighbor.
Interestingly, of the 10 commandments, this is the only one that could not be judged by men. Only God knows your heart and whether you are coveting or not.
2007-04-05 07:36:47 · answer #3 · answered by Carol D 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First off, if your neighbor was committing adultery, then its good to be concerned about a teenage lover. With gentle persuassion, try to disuade him into such actions. And if he "were" a Christian, he wouldnt be inclined to do this anyways.
Coveting is either wanting or stealing your neighbors property. Do not covet your neighbors *** is what I believe it says, meaning his property, not wanting to take his mule as a mule was the primary transportation for most back in the days of our LORD, and still is in some third World Countries!
By stealing your neighbors mule, you rob him of his ability to transport his goods to town, or his family, or what ever it is that he has use of the mule for. So, that makes you a thief. Or, by borrowing your neighbors mule, it prevents him from doing his business or what ever family matters may come up and he has no access to his form of transportation that may be an emergency nature...Thus, you may be responsible for his business failing or some one dying because they cant get proper medical attention, due to lack of transportation.
I wish you well...
Jesse
2007-04-05 07:40:59 · answer #4 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are coveting your neighbor's brand new Bible then send me your address and I'll mail you one. LMAO!! How do you covet the teenage girl to leave unless you want her to come to your house?
I think it means that you are wishing for it so much that it exhumes you to the point that it's all that you think about. It is being envious.
2007-04-05 07:36:20 · answer #5 · answered by K~E~G 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The problem is not thinking: "I would like a Bible like that", but "I wish his Bible was mine!" That leads eventually to stealing.
Coveting his girlfriend? Do you really want the kind of girl who is willing ot be a home-breaker?
Coveting your neighbour's things harms your peace of mind.
It leads to immoral acts such as theft or adultery. Jesus made it clear that what you do in your heart makes you guilty also.
It is a form of idolatry, implying that you cannot be happy without that object of your covetousness.
2007-04-05 07:38:14 · answer #6 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're right to think was is wrong in "coveting" another's things, but in reliigons it is meant to "instill" the behavior of restraining desires which they feel will lead to greater SIN, (bad behaviors). It's what us psychologists refer to as BEHAVIORAL MODIFICATIONS by instilling a standard of "rules" to abide by so a person who has been known to behave badlly will not fall into their worse behaviors. e.g. an alcoholic who has recovered by telling a recovering alcoholic not to "covet" past relationships or hanging around bars for we know there is a good chance they will relapse. Religions set down RULES and this is one of them to keep their own on the straight and narrow.......
2007-04-05 07:47:35 · answer #7 · answered by Theban 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Covet meed greed and we will do anything to get what our neighbor have some will kill ,rob,sell their body,etc
Wait on God and see what he will do to help you
I really believe God want us to live a happy life in this world of our
2007-04-05 07:37:01 · answer #8 · answered by Linda 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To covet is to desire that particular thing or person, NOT something or someone like it.
To covet is the first step to steal.
2007-04-05 07:36:45 · answer #9 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be covetous is to be greedy. We shouldn't be greedy after anything. You shouldn't allow greed to take over you wanting something.
You know greed causes many people to lose friends, family, and other relationships. It can steal one's joy and peace.
2007-04-05 07:36:24 · answer #10 · answered by CuriousGirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
wishing for something isnt the same as coveting. when you covet something, you long for it, you desire it, you will do what it takes to get it.
this means you are not content with what God has given you.
2007-04-05 09:24:51 · answer #11 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋