Longing for Things is Idolatry

Remember that God has said that coveting is like idolatry. Just as hate amounts to murder in I John 3:15; and lust amounts to adultery in Mat 5:28, so greed, coveting, and selfishness with things amounts to idol-worship.

Look onward to the very last word the Apostle John was told to give to the churches in his First Epistle. It is 1 John 5:21 (NKJV):

Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen

What are idols? Idols are “things” we elevate to the place only God is to have.

What exactly is John talking about? Earlier in 1 John he uses the same word Peter was instructed to use. What God is going to burn up is what we are not to long for. Look at 1 John 2:15-17:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Just like Lot’s wife, when we long for what God has already said He is going to destroy, we displease Him.

So what is the first lesson Peter gives? Look back at 2 Peter 3:10-11. God said we keep our lives from suffering loss, from having the legacy of our life destroyed: Beware of Materialism.

o By living for what lasts v. 10 or what do we have that won't burn!
o By living for what pleases Him v. 11 so we won't be ashamed when He shows up unexpectedly!

What is Materialism or Coveting in 21st Century Terms?

Do you remember the 10th of the Ten Commandments? Almost all of us at one time or another, have learned these words. Why not repeat the 10th commandment with me now:

Exodus 20:17 (NKJV) “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

In 21st Century terms, God is saying watch out for six dangerous desires that can ruin your life, destroy your eternal legacy, and pierce you through with many pains:

• “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house”.

Don’t long for all the bigger, better, beautiful, spacious, comfortable houses you’ve seen and don’t have.

Don’t wish for it, or get a second job to earn more money for it, or spend all your time looking for it: because that is idolatry!

Be content with the house you have; and use all your extra time to serve Me, says the Lord, instead of longing for a bigger and better house.

• “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife”.

Men that means don’t long for all the externally looking prettier, skinnier, younger women you’ve noticed in life. Women that means don’t long for the stronger, handsomer, kinder, more caring, more athletic and in shape men that you have noticed along the way.

Don’t wish you had one like the ones you see at work, or read about, and don’t wish you had one like you see on TV, in movies, or online.

Don’t wish she looked like a gymnast, or a cheerleader, or an actress/model; or he looked like an athlete, or a movie star or a model: because that is idolatry!

Be content with the husband or wife God has given you; and use your extra time to serve your wife or your husband, and children instead of longing for a better marriage partner.

• “You shall not covet your neighbor’s male servant, nor his female servant”.

Don’t long for a more comfortable life with less hard work, with less struggles and cares, and with more free time to do what you please, like all the rich and the famous you’ve watched, and heard about: because that is idolatry!

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