Is Coveting Always Wrong? Exploring Biblical Teachings on Desire

In this article, you will learn how Exodus 20:17 contradicts Matthew 7:7, 1 Timothy 6:10, Proverbs 21:26, Psalm 37:4 and James 4:2. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..

The Bible presents us with complex teachings about desire that can sometimes seem contradictory. One core message comes from Exodus 20:17, where Moses relays God’s commandment against coveting. This guidance encourages us to be content with our own possessions and circumstances, suggesting that envy disrupts harmony and fosters discontent. However, other verses in the Bible present a more nuanced view of desire and its role in our lives.

For instance, Matthew 7:7 speaks to the theme of asking and receiving, which can imply a positive aspect to seeking out what we desire. This seems to encourage openly pursuing what we want, even if it resembles what others have. While not exclusively about material possessions, it does suggest there is a time to express desires.

In 1 Timothy 6:10, we find another layer, where the desire for wealth is seriously warned against. This suggests that not all desires are harmful in and of themselves, but become dangerous when they serve as a gateway to other forms of wrongdoing, such as greed.

Proverbs 21:26 introduces the idea that there is a type of longing that is considered righteous. This challenges the prohibition found in Exodus, introducing the notion that desire, when aligned with virtuous intent, can be positive.

Similarly, Psalm 37:4 encourages believers to delight in the Lord, promising fulfillment of their desires. This implies that some desires, when rooted in faith and spirituality, are endorsed by God, contrasting with the blanket ban on coveting.

James 4:2 suggests that desire can lead to conflict, yet there is a solution offered: asking God. This presents the idea that it's not desire itself that's problematic, but how we respond to and act upon those desires.

These scriptures invite us to ponder: Are all desires wrong, or is the key to seek them with the right intent and through the right means? As we reflect, we may find that the Bible guides us to balance contentment with an earnest pursuit of worthy aspirations.