What Does It Mean to Covet? Understanding Covetousness and Its Dangers
Learn to guard your heart against envy and embrace gratitude through Scripture.
What Does It Mean to Covet?
In biblical teaching, coveting refers to an intense and often unlawful desire for something that does not belong to you—whether possessions, relationships, or status. While desiring can be neutral or even positive, coveting crosses a moral boundary, leading the heart away from God and toward sin. The term has deep Old and New Testament roots and has enduring relevance for Christians seeking to align their hearts with God’s will.
Coveting is defined in both Hebrew and Greek. In Hebrew, the word chamad means “to delight in or desire intensely.” In the New Testament Greek, epithumeo refers to a longing or craving, often with a negative moral implication.
The concept is more than simple want; it includes yearning for what is not yours and, in its sinful form, can manifest as envy, greed, or even plotting harm.
Biblical Definition and Etymology
Understanding coveting starts with its language origins:
- Hebrew (חָמַד / chamad): To desire or delight in, particularly in a way that is inappropriate.
- Greek (ἐπιθυμέω / epithymeo): To long for, often translated as lust or crave.
Covetousness is explicitly condemned in the Ten Commandments, notably in Exodus 20:17:
“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 his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
This biblical command underlines the comprehensive nature of coveting, encompassing material belongings, personal relationships, and all aspects of another’s life.
Coveting vs. Legitimate Desire
The Bible acknowledges that desire is not inherently evil. For example, Paul urges believers to “covet earnestly the best gifts” in 1 Corinthians 12:31. This shows an appropriate longing—for spiritual gifts or godly virtues. The danger comes when desire is misdirected or inordinate, especially toward things that rightfully belong to others.
| Healthy Desire | Sinful Coveting |
|---|---|
| Desires God’s gifts and virtues | Desires what belongs to another |
| Motivates spiritual growth | Motivates envy, rivalry, or theft |
| Can lead to generosity and joy | Leads to greed and discontent |
| Rooted in love for God | Rooted in self-centeredness |
Why Is Coveting Spiritually Dangerous?
The danger of coveting arises from its ability to reshape the heart, redirecting one’s trust and affection away from God and toward created things. It is a sin that often goes undetected, yet it can manifest in destructive attitudes and behaviors.
Notably, coveting is linked to idolatry. When desire for something becomes greater than desire for God, it becomes a form of worship—breaking not only the command against coveting but also the command against idolatry.
- Covetousness breaks the tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17) and often the first—placing something above God.
- It breeds jealousy, rivalry, and resentment.
- It is the source of many outward sins—lying, stealing, adultery, and even murder.
- It blinds us to the blessings God has already provided.
As Jesus warns in Luke 12:15:
“Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Examples of Coveting in the Bible
Scripture provides vivid examples of people whose covetousness led to tragic consequences.
- Eve coveted the forbidden fruit, convinced it would make her wise. Her desire led to disobedience and the fall of humanity.
- Achan coveted gold and garments devoted to destruction, stealing them and bringing disaster upon Israel (Joshua 7).
- King David coveted Bathsheba, another man’s wife, leading to adultery and sin (2 Samuel 11).
- Satan coveted the glory of God Himself, resulting in his rebellion and fall from heaven.
Each case illustrates how unchecked desire can drive people to betray God and harm others.
How Does Covetousness Impact Everyday Life?
Coveting is not limited to grand or obvious sins; it often infiltrates ordinary life. Today, it takes many forms:
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- Comparing your life to others and envying their success, marriage, or possessions.
- Desiring status, recognition, or influence that is not rightfully yours.
- Advertising and social media fueling constant dissatisfaction and consumerism.
- Making financial, relational, or ethical decisions based on greed rather than stewardship.
Covetousness can destroy relationships, sowing division, mistrust, and bitterness. It undermines contentment and peace.
The Root of Coveting: Heart Issues
Coveting is ultimately a matter of the heart. Jesus taught that outward sins begin with inward desires. In Mark 7:21-22, He identified covetousness as a root sin:
“From within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts… coveting, wickedness, deceit.”
- It reflects a lack of trust in God’s goodness and provision.
- It reveals an idolatrous focus on self, possessions, or people.
- It breeds cycles of desire, disappointment, and resentment.
Covetousness and Idolatry
Paul equates covetousness with idolatry in Colossians 3:5:
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
This spiritual diagnosis points to coveting as a root cause of many outward sins.
How to Recognize Covetousness
Self-examination can help you discern when normal desire has become sinful coveting. Consider:
- Do you frequently compare yourself to others?
- Do you feel dissatisfied no matter what you have?
- Are you willing to compromise your values to obtain something you want?
- Do you resent others’ successes or blessings?
- Are your priorities shaped by material gain, rather than love for God and neighbor?
Why Does God Forbid Coveting?
God’s command against coveting is not just about regulating behavior; it is about protecting your heart and community. God wants His people to experience joy, contentment, and trust, not anxiety, rivalry, and greed.
Coveting turns you inward, away from God and others, whereas Godly desire turns you outward—in love and service.
- Coveting breeds conflict, but contentment breeds peace.
- Coveting sows division, but generosity fosters unity.
- Coveting creates endless longing, while gratitude brings satisfaction.
Practical Steps to Overcome Coveting
Scripture offers practical wisdom for resisting covetousness and cultivating contentment:
- Practice gratitude: Regularly thank God for what you have, rather than focusing on what you lack.
- Guard your heart: Monitor your desires. Ask God to help you desire good things in the right way.
- Celebrate others: Rejoice in the blessings and successes of others, rather than resenting them.
- Seek Kingdom values: Pursue spiritual growth, not material accumulation. “Set your minds on things above” (Colossians 3:2).
- Give generously: Generosity breaks the grip of greed and helps reorient your heart.
Frequently Asked Questions about Coveting
Q: What is the difference between wanting and coveting?
A: Wanting simply expresses a desire; coveting involves an excessive or unlawful craving for something that belongs to someone else.
Q: Is coveting always sinful?
A: No, desire is not always sinful. The Bible encourages healthy desire for spiritual gifts and virtues, but coveting becomes sin when it involves inappropriate or unlawful longing.
Q: What are some modern examples of coveting?
A: Envying someone’s job, house, relationship, or status; striving for possessions or recognition at the expense of integrity and relationships.
Q: How can I tell if my desires have become sinful?
A: Examine your motives—are you motivated primarily by love and stewardship, or by envy, rivalry, or discontent? Is your desire leading you closer to God, or farther away?
Q: What steps can I take to overcome covetousness?
A: Practice gratitude, celebrate others, embrace generosity, and shift your focus to spiritual growth and Godly values.
Key Bible Verses about Coveting
- Exodus 20:17: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house…nor anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
- Luke 12:15: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”
- Colossians 3:5: “Put to death…greed, which is idolatry.”
- 1 Timothy 6:9-10: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation…For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”
Each passage of scripture warns believers of the destructive and far-reaching effects of coveting, offering a far richer way of life: one rooted in trust, gratitude, and peace.
Conclusion
Coveting is more than a fleeting desire; it is a persistent and dangerous orientation of the heart that can separate you from God, destroy relationships, and breed discontent. The Bible calls believers to examine their motives, seek contentment in God, and foster a heart of gratitude and generosity. Learning to recognize and overcome covetousness is essential for living in spiritual freedom, peace, and joy.
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