THOU SHALT NOT COVET
Wednesday – January 28, 2026
Video link: https://youtu.be/9ulL1uqj3QI
Greetings and welcome back to this enlightening study of the Bible Book of James. We desire to not only gather information about the Kingdom but acquire revelation that is actionable in our lives. Jesus didn’t come, go to the Cross, go into Hell so we could have fire insurance and live our lives like the world. He came to bring many sons to glory which means we are to manifest the goodness of God for all to see. He came so that the Kingdom of God and His way of doing things could be seen all over the earth. Our lives are to show people a taste of Heaven upon the earth. Let’s dive into our text for today.
James 1:12-15 (KJV)
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Yesterday we spent some time evaluating verse twelve of our text and today we will move into verse thirteen. This Bible Book starts off talking about temptation and now James is back by leadership of the Holy Spirit for round two. Before we continue, I want to point out something that perhaps you already understand. It is unusual for a single verse or passage in one Book of the Bible to fully develop the whole of any topic. It is important to look at the whole counsel of Scripture and so it is with this topic of temptation. The passage we are studying right now is speaking to the Truth that God cannot be tempted by evil, that He does not tempt any person to do evil, and the source of much of our temptations arise with ourselves.
As we move forward into verse fourteen, we find that we can be our own worst enemy. We, all of us, are tested, tried, when we see, meditate upon something that will take us contrary to the Word of God. The time to turn away is at first sight, first thought. This is the importance of renewing the mind, the importance of screening all thoughts through the Word of God. The word “lust” in this text has to do with longing after, coveting. Remember this commandment?
Exodus 20:17 (KJV)
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Notice coveting has to do with wanting what another person possesses. Having something of our own like someone else possesses is not an issue but wanting what they have is wickedness. Let’s look at where coveting will ultimately lead.
2 Samuel 11:1-5 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.
2 And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.
3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?
4 And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.
5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.
TAKE HOME:
- God will not tempt us to do evil; however, He will allow the devils to tempt us to do evil but only at a level we can overcome. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
- Coveting is wickedness and we fall (become consumed by it) it by our own choices. We must turn away at the onset. Casting it down and renewing our mind in that area.
- King David had a choice.
Lord willing, I will resume right here tomorrow. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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