The Seriousness of Unguarded Heart Desires

Episode Summary: When the wisest biblical writer who ever lived begins a command with the three words, “above all else,” we need to pay attention. That is the way that Proverbs 4:23 begins: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” As we come in our study of the Ten Commandments, to the tenth, we realize that this final commandment goes beyond our behavior to the matter of our hearts. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's. (Ex 20:17). As I have meditated on this commandment I've come to believe that God takes the sin of coveting much more seriously than we do. This episode looks at the vital matter of the desires of our hearts and how they can lead us astray.

For Further Prayerful Thought.

1. In what ways does the concept of “over-desire” which is the meaning of the Greek word for both lust and covetousness make sense as a description of both words?
2. Paul stated that covetousness was idolatry. How would you explain that? What do you think is the significance of the bookends of the Ten Commandments, the first and tenth, addressing the issue of heart desires?
3. Do you agree that God takes the sin of coveting more seriously than we usually do? Do you think we are worse at ignoring this commandment’s significance than ignoring the other commandments?
4. Which principles for preempting covetousness most stood out to you? 

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