Mike's Question About Commandment "10"

WOO HOO last one!

Mike asks;
10. Do not covet. Who among us has never wished for something that someone else has. Or wished they went on that trip that their friend went on. This one is also way too vague for me.

Scripture says;

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.

The biblical definition of covet is to wish to have the possessions of others.  This goes beyond simply admiring someone else's possessions or thinking, "I'd like to have that."  Coveting includes envy which is resenting the fact that others have what you don't.  God knows, that possessions never make anyone happy for long.  Since only God can supply all our needs, true contentment can only be found in him.

My Pastor says; "I have a wanter and it wants."  The constant bombardment of things doesn't help me watch what my "wanter" wants, however, envying is crossing a completely different gulf as opposed to  buying something I shouldn't.

I agree with Dr Missler in that "Perspective" is one of the most valuable things we can get.  When you gain perspective on God's plan, not just the one for your life but His eternal plan, decisions on what I thought I wanted verses what I really want become much clearer.  When I was in South Africa I got an overdose of perspective which has been haunting me ever since.

After 911, I heard author Max Lucado say; Now there are only two things that matter, those that do and those that don't.  Funny how small those that do went to after 911!?

Maybe you should be asking yourself what you really want?

I wanted to comment on Mike's closing remarks from his questions;
So yes, I'm sure all the good Christians can justify whatever they've done that go against the way the 10 commandments are written. But it's just a little much for me. And these are only my questions on the commandments. The bible is filled with contradictions. So you keep living your Christian lifestyle. I'm going to keep living by the golden rule and I'll bet that I have higher values that some people that go to your church.

First: Mike is right!  There is no justification for going against the Ten Commandments.  The commandments where given to us to show our need for a Savior - because we couldn't possibly measure up.

Second: Mike says he would rather live by the golden rule (than be a hypocrite) and have higher values than those that go to church.  He is probably right!  What is the golden rule and where did it come from?  Jesus said;
Matthew 5:17 NKJV   Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

And if you were to finish reading the rest of that chapter Jesus even makes the Ten Commandments harder!  However;

James 2:8 NKJV   If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you do well;

Do well Brother

ernie

Mike's Question About Commandment "9"

Mike asks;
9. Do not lie. But little lies are ok? The police officer that tells a child that the doctors are doing all they can for mommy when he knows she was dead on arrival? Telling a friend that you just need them to come over to "help" with something while a surprise party is being set up? Telling your significant other that she looks good when you know dam well she doesn't?

Scripture says;
Exodus 20:16 NKJV   You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

To "bear false witness against" others is to lie about them, typically for personal gain or out of fear (two most common reasons).  The Hebrew word translated “neighbor” in this commandment means an associate, a brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, or neighbor.   The terminology indicates the focus is on slander and libelous accusations, primarily within a legal setting.  The preservation of justice is dependent on the reliability of the witness.  Character assassination in any form, would constitute false witness and would be a violation of this commandment.

The Israelites were commanded to be truthful in all things, especially when speaking about another person.  God's people were not to lie publicly, as in a court of law by any false charge against another.  God is perfection and requires it of us.  There are many scriptures that indicate that God cannot lie.

Tit 1:2 NKJV  in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

Our ignorance says; He is God, He can do anything right?  The god of the koran is allah, he is not the same as God like people are lead to believe.  Jehovah is immutable, unchanging which gives us security  in knowing He is who He said He is and will do and be what He said He will be.  Where as allah is capricious and the koran flaunts this, he can change is mind whenever he wants - that is not security but fear.

The Bible says that God chose us before the foundations of the world.  Spurgeon writes: “I’m glad He did it then; if he saw me now, he might have changed his mind.”  We can rest in the fact that God is unchanging and so is His love for Mike and me.

There is a thing called Compulsory Honesty which is a very dangerous thing.  I have "friends" like this who brag (pride) about being honest.  Their honesty is unwanted (not asked for), unhealthy and is based on skin deep reactions (superficial responses from an untamed tongue).  The Bible tells us to tell the truth in love.  I will admit that telling the truth in love doesn't always have to sound lovely, but still must be out of a loving heart.

Again we lie when it is to our benefit - You look great baby!  We lie when we are afraid - I don't want to be the one to tell that kid their mommy is dead.  

Have I lied?  Yes.  Will I lie again?  Unfortunately...

ernie