COVETOUSNESS IS IDOLATRY
Thursday – January 29, 2026
Video link: https://youtu.be/iFMfQDUiDd0
Greetings and welcome back to this revealing 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. It is not the will of God that any should perish. Our lives are to show people a taste of Heaven upon the earth, making the choice very clear. 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.
This passage has caused us to take a look at our own lives and what we are tempted to partake of, why, and the source. We need to note that just as there are sins of commission and omission there are temptations of commission and omission. What if the Lord is asking you to give something and you brush it off not doing it? That is a sin of omission, a testing or temptation to do right and we ignored it. Then we could be enticed to partake of something we should not and did partake, this is a sin of commission.
The quickest route out of or through temptation of any kind is to recognize it immediately at the onset and take the indicated Bible action. If we play with the temptation or get lazy in testing our thoughts, it can take much longer and even result in much damage. Temptation pursued to its end will result in our being shipwrecked. The thief’s (demons) goal in any temptation whether it originate with God (to do good), demons (to do evil), or ourselves (could be to do good or evil) is to bring stealing, killing, and destroying into our lives.
We discovered that the word lust in our text (verse fourteen) is best translated as coveting, which is evil. Coveting is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5-6 (KJV)
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
This brings us to the final verse of our text.
James 1:15 (KJV)
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
The further we allow a temptation to proceed the more likely we are to be entrapped and suffer loss. Remember coveting is to want what is another’s and then act to take the coveted thing away from the rightful owner. The word “conceived” here conveys the idea of being fully enveloped by the temptation the coveted thing. Let’s review the 10th 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.
Let’s study to show ourselves approved rightly or correctly dividing the Truth developing full confidence in the Truth and following after Truth in all things.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (KJV)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
TAKE HOME:
- Our lives are to testify, be a foretaste, of Heaven upon the earth.
- To covet is idolatry, which is sin, and brings death into our lives.
- Let us be very sober filtering everything through the filter of Scripture. Don’t play with temptation.
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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