X-Nupop-Charset: English Date: Thu, 4 May 1995 09:05:55 +0100 Reply-To: t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel From: Teus Benschop Subject: Catechism, 15 To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP Q: Which is the tenth commandment? A: The tenth commandment is, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's". We know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Romans 7:14) Because the law is spiritual, it requires not only an outward observance, which is showed in words and deeds, but especially an inward. This consists of well regulated inward thoughts and affections of the heart. God so perfectly demands this of us, that He not only forbids the sins which we designedly will, but also even the least wrong affection, which opposes itself against God's will. This affection is forbidden in this tenth commandment: You shall not covet. Q: What is required in the tenth commandment? A: The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbour, and all that is his. Not coveting more then we have, requires to be content with our own condition. "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." (Hebrews 13:5) When we look around us, and we look into our hearts, we know how difficult, yes, even impossible this is. The whole world of the business aims at rising our desires. The newspapers are full of advertisements, to awaken our greed. "When you not have this, you are not happy", say they. And we, with our coveting nature, listen to it, and believe it. We go out, and buy the things which we not need, thus fulfilling our vain desires, and fulfilling the measure of our sins. This commandments requires also a right and charitable frame of spirit towards our neighbour, and towards all that is his. When he has more then we have, we ought to be content with that, and even to be glad that he is well. When he is in need, we will give him what he needs, without holding back our hand to do well. "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep." (Romans 12:15) When God forbids the coveting in this commandment, He also commands the opposite, namely that we will long for all righteousness. We ought to hate all sin, and to love all God's commandments. This only a renewed men can do. Therefore, when you have heard the truth, "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24) This is, in short, what this tenth commandment requires: righteousness and true holiness. Q: What is forbidden in the tenth commandment? A: The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his. It is forbidden, in this commandment, to be discontent with our own estate. There are many, many examples of this sin. Some are not content with their outward look, which they got from God. They paint their face, and thus distort their natural look, being discontent with God's gift. Some never have enough, and murmur, "as some of them", of the Israelites in the desert, "also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer." (1 Corinthians 10:10) Also forbidden is all envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, and all inordinate motions and affections to any thing that is his. Has he a new car? Do not envy that, like many do. "Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:26) Women look to other's clothes. When the other has more beautiful clothing, their desires are kindled, to have the same or better. Also, when they buy something, they look out to buy not that, what their friends wear. This is the result of the desire to be better, and more beautiful than the other, what is forbidden in this commandment. "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chr-Exp, a Christian explanation of the Bible to Israel Editor: Teus Benschop - t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl Institution Practical Bible-education, the Netherlands End of Catechism, 15 -------------------------------------------------- file: /pub./resources/text/ipb-e/cate: cat-015.txt .