10 Stupid Things We Do

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10 Stupid ThingsWe Do

• We Want More!
• Deuteronomy 521

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Do Not Covet

• This command is different from the others
• First 9 are action oriented
• The 10th is not an action, but attitude
• Covet is a desire an evil attitude
• We Want More!
• COVETING IS DESIREGONE WILD!

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Definitions

• Greek word To set the heart upon, to desire
  unlawfully, to secure illegitimately
• Webster A strong desire or inordinate desire of
  obtaining and possessing some wealth or goods
• Preacher The illicit strong desire to possess
  what one does not have, which cannot be rightly
  obtained, or which belongs to another.

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Do Not Covet

• Your neighbors wife, servant, ox, donkey, or
  anything your neighbor owns.
• Some think
• I dont want my neighbors wife
• They dont have an ox, or donkey
• I dont think they have any servants
• So this command does not apply to me.

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What about today?

• Super Bowl ads on TV - 2.5 million for 30
  seconds
• Purpose To get you to desire what you did not
  know you wanted or needed
• Past Door-to-door salesmen
• Today Telemarketers, Spam email, Fax Jamming

6
What about today?

• Credit easier to get Buy Now Pay Later
• Furniture Zero interest, Zero down
• Lottery Americans spend billions on a 80
  million to 1 long shot
• OUR YEARNINGS WILL ALWAYSEXCEED OUR EARNINGS!

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What is wrong with Coveting?

• Coveting is Idolatry
• Colossians 35-7 - 5Therefore put to death your
  members which are on the earth fornication,
  uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and
  covetousness, which is idolatry. 6Because of
  these things the wrath of God is coming upon the
  sons of disobedience, 7in which you yourselves
  once walked when you lived in them

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What is wrong with Coveting?

• Coveting is Idolatry

• It dethrones God and puts things at the center of
  our hearts.
• It dethrones God and puts things at the center of
  our minds.
• It dethrones God and puts things at the center of
  our wills.

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What is wrong with Coveting?

• Coveting is Idolatry
• Coveting leads to other problems

• It does not stay a sin of the heart
• We put those desires into action
• We cheat, lie, steal, kill
• Coveting influences our behavior

10
What is wrong with Coveting?

• Coveting is Idolatry
• Coveting leads to other problems
• Coveting stops us from being generous

• Coveting is selfishness gone to seed
• Covetous people see what they can GETrather than
  GIVE
• Covetous people forget the childhood lesson of
  SHARING

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What is wrong with Coveting?

• Coveting is Idolatry
• Coveting leads to other problems
• Coveting stops us from being generous
• Coveting cheats us of contentment

• Live in 1 of 2 tents content or discontent
• Grass is always greener
• God made us a little lower than the angels, but
  we want to be a little higher than the Joneses.

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How can we change?

• Be aware of the dangers
• External Advertising Friends get one We see
  it and want it
• Internal Root problem is not OUT THERE, but IN
  HERE.
• Realign our desires
• What do we REALLY want?
• What is most important to us?

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How can we change?

• Be aware of the dangers
• Realign our desires
• Keep our hearts in shape

• Carry a contempt for covetousness
• Acquire an attitude of gratitude
• Be wise with what you have
• Give generously
• Cultivate contentment

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We Want More

• Learn to covet the good stuff
• Covet more love for others
• Covet better opportunities to teach
• Covet greater use of your talents
• Covet deeper worship, singing, prayer
• Covet salvation, forgiveness
• Covet eternal life