This is the last of the “10 Commandments”, and so may not seem as significant as murder, or stealing, or lying.

But consider Colossians 3:5 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

Coveteousness is connected directly to idolatry. That speaks to the first 4 commandments, which tell us how we are to relate to God.

And when we consider how we relate to each other, why do we murder, steal, lie, commit adultery, disrespect our parents?

Because we covet. At the heart of it all is a sense of entitlement. We want something more than we want to live righteously. We think it will getting “it” will make us happier, more fulfilled, satisfied.

It never quite works out that way. The dopamine hit wears off and we just end up wanting more, newer, better. And the cycle continues.

We do well to remember that God knows how we tick, loves us, and wants to see us live with the joy of a right relationship with Him.

Consider how “Number 10” fits into all that.

Any one of these seems really hard to do, yet this is one of those rare times that we are told explicitly “this is the will of God”.

So how would our lives change if we submitted to the Word and Spirit of God, and developed habits of consistent joy, prayer, and gratitude?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV
[16] Rejoice always, [17] pray without ceasing, [18] give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.