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)
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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
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file: /pub./resources/text/ipb-e/cate: cat-015.txt
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