How to Recognize Covetousness in Your Life - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - April 20, 2026
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor”--Exodus 20:17
Have you noticed how secular shows often address sin issues more directly and openly than many Christian outreaches do? Not that the secular media calls it “sin,” but they address the fallen human condition better in some ways than we as believers, drawing attention to how sin often rears its head in the hearts of human men and women.
In an episode of the classic television series “King of Queens,” starring Kevin James as Doug Hefferman and Leah Remini as his wife, Carrie Hefferman, the show explores how she comes to recognize her enjoyment of seeing others, including her closest friends and loved ones, upset and disappointed.
In re-visiting her childhood memories with a therapist, she discovers, through remembering, how she was happy when her best friend was chased by a bee at her birthday party, yet unhappy when she received her amazing birthday gifts, realizing she still enjoys it when others are disappointed or unhappy, exposing her covetousness towards others.
Yet when was the last time we heard covetousness discussed and addressed in the Church?
Although we may not want to admit to ever having covetous feelings, it’s beneficial for us at times to check our hearts with some self-examination, as 2 Corinthians 13:5 urges us: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”
The Beginning of Covetousness
Covetousness, which some dictionaries define as an intense desire to possess something belonging to someone else, characterized by jealousy and a lack of contentment, is not often discussed in Christian circles. Although we like to believe as Christians that we are above it and rarely consider or admit it, covetousness is alive and well in the Church.
Even though it's listed as the last of the Ten Commandments, it doesn’t seem that most of us take it seriously, considering it a minor problem.
Yet many of us struggle with secretly being joyful when others experience disappointments, as well as sorrow when others experience and receive good things in their lives, especially if we’re feeling disappointed in our own lives at the time.
It’s an old, old story beginning with Cain in the Bible, who coveted his brother’s approval from God enough to murder him over his offering being accepted and Cain’s being rejected.
As the story goes, Cain worked the soil, and Abel tended flocks. Genesis 4:3-7 explains what happened.
“In the course of time, Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering, he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.’”
Although most of us tend to focus on Cain killing his brother in the story and often miss seeing how his covetousness led to murder, as written in Genesis 4:8, “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.”
Recognizing Covetousness in the Church
How many individuals are upset in church when someone is given the solo during worship or asked to lead a small group or Bible study? Or, recognized for their service at church?
Sadly, covetousness is alive and well in the Church of Jesus Christ, not just among members but also among many of our Christian leaders, who see another’s ministry thriving and wish it were theirs, and are glad when other ministry leaders fall.
Likewise, church staff members sometimes vie for positions and are less than supportive of their co-ministers, undermining them to gain an advantage.
Yet these are things we don’t often discuss in our Christian circles, yet they are so important for the health and well-being of believers.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Father, reveal and free our hearts from covetousness. Help us to recognize when it tries to rear its ugly head in our lives and in our churches. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Delmaine Donson
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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