Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
July 26, 2012

“Stay Home!”
“So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished” – Proverbs 6:29

There are so many analogies to be used here it is difficult to pinpoint just one but here goes. In fact, we need to go back to a previous illustration to bring this point home. We all know what happened to both David and Bathsheba as a result of their affair. David was told that the child that was conceived from that affair would die—and of course, that was the result. The reason I mention Bathsheba is knowing how as the child’s mother she would grieve—probably even more so than David. David was also told by Nathan the prophet, that the sword would never leave his home—meaning violence in one form or another would mark his life up until his death. A prime example was when Absalom attempted to wrestle the kingdom away from his father, even going as far as taking what was David’s property in clear view of everyone in the kingdom. Through the centuries we have seen this same scenario played over and over. Not always necessarily in the sexual sense, but also in regards to power. Kings (and/or monarchs) seeking to capture more territory—ravishing villages and lands in the name of greed! Even Church leaders were not exempt from this greed, attempting to claim lands and property under the false pretense: “in the name of God.”
And yet this begs the question: How does this apply to us? To me? To you?
I know we have discussed this at another point but I believe it goes back to one of the most overlooked of all the Commandments: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox, or donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17, NIV; Emphasis mine)
I underlined that one line to emphasize the point that Solomon is making—but I bring up this verse to remind us that in each of us is a desire just waiting to be stirred that could produce this very attitude and that is what coveting is…an attitude. It starts out thinking, “wouldn’t that be nice.” Then it goes to “I think I want that.” Then it says, “I need that!” Finally it screams, “I am going to have that!” It is at that point the attitude becomes action and the deed is done!
When the serpent tempted Eve in the Garden, have you ever considered how long the temptation had been going on? Was this the first time or were there points leading up to the fateful event where she actually plucked the fruit from the tree? Had the serpent been dangling the fruit in front of her just long enough for her to finally give in?
God knows what we need and what we should have. He knows our breaking points and what belongs in our lives and what does not. To want, crave, desire that which in the long run will destroy is in reality the same as coveting. To want what is not ours to possess is destructive—not only to ourselves but to others as well!
If you want a great example, read the book or watch the movie, The Count of Monte Cristo. It is a perfect example of what happens when one man (Fernand Mondego) wanted (desired/coveted) the fiancé of his best friend and colleague, Edmond Dantes. Out of jealousy Fernand devised a way to have his friend arrested as a traitor, and sent to a prison where escape would be nearly impossible. It was then falsely reported that Edmond had died while in prison, allowing Fernand to marry Edmond’s fiancé. In the process, Edmond’s father, believing his son to be a traitor committed suicide. However, through a chance encounter while in the prison, Edmond did escape and uses his anger and hatred to extract revenge upon those who used their influence to destroy his future and his life. It is a story that could have been taken directly from Scripture. Have you ever wanted something so bad that you would do practically anything to have it? It is obvious there is a danger there that cannot be overlooked or ignored. There is nothing wrong to have desires—wants—goals and hopes. However, keep them in perspective and never allow them to evolve to the point where you would destroy others and yourself just to get what you want.
Pastor J. T. Carnell