Christian Living

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Psalm 119.127

Avoid this sin at all costs

“Therefore I love Your commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold” [Psalm 119.127 NASB]

One of the most deadly sins ever conceived by the evil master of the hordes of darkness is the sin of covetousness.

Even the most committed believer can still be vulnerable to this ungodly and insatiable desire. Such is the pressure of the spirit of this age that we can, sometimes unwittingly, fall into the trap of equating material possessions with contentment and God's favour.

We used to go to a Church where the "name and claim it brigade" were very active. Within a short space of time of being there, we were totally and completely dissatisfied with our standard of living, employment, clothes, car and house, etc.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus specifically warned His attentive hearers against giving this sin and its multi faceted and strong cords access into our lives [Matthew 6.25-34].

In the parable of the sower, the Lord revealed that many people would choose rather the things of this world and the eternal damage it could wreak - even after hearing and understanding His teachings.

David had learned through much hardship, human and material loss, and extreme disappointments - interspersed with divine fellowship - that he loved God and His word more than the finest gold.

There are some weaknesses which we can, with God's help, quickly eradicate. However the sin of covetousness, if allowed to, will take over our entire life.

Two of its strands are entitled dissatisfaction and discontentment, which we can put down to human feelings; however, the actual source of the spirit of covetousness is selfish ambition.

It may be time to closely examine ourselves and see if there is any trace at all, no matter how small, of this seed of defilement and disorder anywhere in our lives. [David McArdle]

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