Covet is not often used in everyday language today. The definition of covet is to yearn to possess or to have; to wish for greatly or with envy.
Lust is a more common word in society. Lust is a strong feeling of sexual desire or a strong desire for something.
The advertisement industry is well versed in lust. Great research has been put into best practices to entice and create lust in the average consumer. There is understanding in how to draw a person’s eye into the advertisement, what colors to use, placement of words. All of this is with the intention of getting you, the consumer, to want and desire their product.
And it works. But I don’t begrudge their tactics. I attempt the same thing with my blog images. I want a person to want to read my blog.
The difference is the content.
The phrase “sex sells” in regards to advertising can be seen as far back and 1871 with the Pearl tobacco label of a naked woman walking out of the water.
Sexual images have been used to sell tobacco, alcohol, cologne, clothing, cars and I’m sure many other items. Their job is to find ways to sell their products. Right or wrong that’s their job.
Unfortunately this process has spread farther than just advertising companies. Sexual images are seen all across television shows, movies, music lyrics, social media and pornography. It has become common place.
The result as has turned into a society of lust.
As Christians, our job is to not be enticed. Not to be distracted. We are called to not make worldly decisions but root ourselves in God’s word and truths.
This may mean certain shows, movies, and music aren’t listened to. It is a personal boundary that I’m not going to advise specifics. But it is important to set those personal limits to guard your heart and your mind.
Take the time to read the below bible scriptures and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.
Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
1 John 2:16
Exodus 20:17
“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.”
Romans 13:14
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Colossians 3:5
Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
Ephesians 2:3-5
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
1 Peter 1:14-16
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
1 Peter 2:11
Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
Galatians 5:16
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Romans 8:5-8
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
I pray that these verses remind you to remain in God and not be swayed by lust in our society.
God bless!
Melissa
We HAVE become a society of lust. It’s so commonplace that Christians no longer feel bad about it. Camera men in movies slide the camera lense sensuously over women to make the viewer start salivating sexually. And if you point it out to any Christian man, the man becomes angry and defensive and finds nothing wrong with looking lustfully at women on TV and movies. We are so de-sensitized.
It has become commonplace and it is a growing concern. Desensitization is a difficult place to come out of. We have to do our best to teach our children differently and guard our own hearts and minds. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and insights. God bless!
Melissa, I wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award! I think you have a beautiful site and great content! Here’s the link to my article about the award, and simply follow the steps if you choose to accept the nomination: https://www.tounearth.com/blogger-recognition-award-nomination-2/. Thanks for blogging and for the encouragement you bring to your readers!
Thank you so much Emily for the nomination. It’s so encouraging to hear from other bloggers that the site and content are positive! God bless!
Thank you for this thought-provoking post! The verses packed a punch in pointing out how we are to live as Christians!
I love how straightforward the verses are. There really is no skirting their message! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! God bless!
I do agree that lust has become a true problem in our society and morals and values are almost obsolete. Thank you for giving us wonderful scriptures to reflect on.
It’s a really hard truth. Especially as a parent knowing this is the world and reality our children are living in. Thank you for stopping by and commenting! God bless!
In a society that does it’s best to immerse us in all things sexual, it is absolutely necessary that we combat this with the Word of God!
You are so right Erin. Only He can keep us on the right path! Thank you for stopping by and commenting! God bless!
We are constantly innodated with sex with social, TV, and especially music. We have to walk after the spirit in order to not fulfill the lust of the flesh also guard our ears and eyes against perverse things.
So true Crystal. If we are willing to engage in entertainment that promotes and encourages these types of issues then we run the risk of becoming desensitized. Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts! God bless!
I love your honesty when you talk about your blog… it’s true. Also, I’m so glad you put covet with lust. Often, people put lust with sex, but it’s not always about sex. It’s about wanting anything with an overwhelming wave of desire! Worldly desires eat our soul! Great way to shed light!
You’re right, worldly desires do eat our soul. Because when we lust after something it becomes all consuming. Anything that takes away our focus God (especially with that level of intensity) is detrimental. Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by to share! God bless!
Thanks for being candid with your audience about such an important topic! God’s Word truly does cover every trial we face.
It does. He knows all of our areas of weakness and difficulties before we were even born. He has foreseen all of it. That gives such comfort, right?! Thank you for reading and commenting! God bless!
We have become open to sin and it really is a shame. Yes, it is here and it is going to stay, but we should reject it and not support those that produce it. These verses are spot on, Melissa.
You’re right Lori, we need to not only passively stay away from those things but actively reject them. Thank you for stopping by and commenting! God bless!
You have touched a very important subject here. We need to focus on the Lord and steer clear of worldly lusts if we want to have any witness before the world and please the Lord. ❤️
So true Edith. We can’t have both and that is a hard acknowledgement for some. Thank you for stopping by and commenting! God bless!
It is definitely an interesting day and age to raise my boys in!
I have one boy and one girl. There are different difficulties for both! I do my best to take care of the things I have control over – electronics, shows/movies, music, and education. Beyond that I know that my children know God and they are ultimately in his hands. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. God bless!
This such an important topic! Sometimes I think we become accepting of all the subtle and not so subtle sexual innuendo portrayed publicly. May we strive to exemplify Godliness in every area of our life.
You’re right Lureta, so many things have become acceptable in our society. And Godliness must be shown with a joyful heart so that others will want to know God’s love as well! Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. God bless!
We stopped watching certain shows because we felt it was not honoring God or helping us grow in our faith. The devil can use anything to slowly separate us from our Savior and we didn’t want to give him an in any longer with what we were watching.
We have made that decision too with shows, movies, and some music. In so many instances the inappropriate content just isn’t necessary. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. God bless!
Personal boundaries are, well, personal, right? But why not choose to set those boundaries high? Err on the side of caution? Most of our personal boundaries can be set without debate if we measure them against the following standard: righteous living. Is this choice going to cause me AND/OR others to live righteously? Or unrighteously? That makes most boundaries pretty definitive. Thank you for this thought-provoking post.
Julie you are so right on all points. Too often people don’t take the time to think of these questions and set appropriate boundaries. Thank you for stopping by and sharing you insights. God bless!