THE TENTH COMMANDMENT (EXODUS 20: 17)

"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's."

The duties required in the tenth commandment are,
-such a full contentment with our own condition,
-and such a charitable frame of the whole soul toward our neighbor, as that all our inward motions and affections touching him, tend unto and further all that good which is his. (taken from the Larger Catechism of the Presbyterian Church - Answer to Question 147)
-That even the smallest inclination, or thought, contrary to any of God's commands, never rise in our hearts; but that at all times we hate sin with out whole heart, and delight in all righteousness - (Heidelberg Catechism, Question 113)

The sins forbidden in the tenth commandment are,
-discontentment with our own estate;
-envying and grieving at the good of our neighbor,
-together with all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. (taken from the Larger Catechism of the Presbyterian Church - Answer to Question 149)

"I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shat not covet.  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment wrought in me all manner of concupiscence."  (Romans 7: 7,8)

Question yourself:

1. Are you content, satisfied, with God's provision for you in which He takes care of your real needs?  Do you quietly trust that His providence is more than adequate for you?  that if God had seen fit for you to have had more, you would now have it?
2. Are you content with your situation, mentally at rest, because you realize that it is God that orders all the events of your life?  that it is the Lord that gives, or takes away? (Job 1:21)
3. Are you content because, although you may be among the "poor of the world," you are "rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he has promised to them that love him"? (James 2:5)  In comparison to the spiritual riches you have from God, do the benefits, pleasures, possessions, applause of this world seem unimportant?  Are you free from reliance on people or things for your prime satisfaction in life?
4. Do you strongly desire to have money so you can purchase for yourself many of the "extras," luxuries, and pleasures money can buy?  Does your heart's desire lean toward the world and all that the world can offer?  Are you above desires so strong they control your decisions? determine your course of action? how you spend much of your time and energy?

-questions from Lauxstermann"s The Believer's Delight, p 111,117

Day 23

Summary of Questions on 1 thru 4 of the 10 Commandments.
Question yourself again about your heart attitude in relation to God.

First Commandment
Do you possess no strong desire or love for any one (or thing) but God?  Is He your satisfaction in Life? your heart's delight?  Do you joyfully submit to His will and His Word?  Love His righteousness?  Dwell upon every word that proceeds from His revelation?

Second Commandment
Do you full-heartedly desire to worship Him in spirit and delight in worshiping Him in the manner He commands in His Word?

Third Commandment
Do you fear and reverence His holy name? because it is His? Do you so confidently trust Him, who brings everything into your life - even sorrow, trial, or pain - that you can inwardly praise His name and hallow it?  that you cannot murmur against Him?  Instead of cursing God for taking away that which you cherish, can you feel with Job: "the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord"?  (Job 1:21)

Fourth Commandment
Because you delight in God so much, is it your pleasure to use the day He has set aside for worship of Him, study of His Word, service and prayer?

-questions from Lauxstermann"s The Believer's Delight, p 113

Day 24

Summary of Questions on 5 thru 10 of the 10 Commandments.
Question yourself again about your heart attitude in relation to man.

Fifth Commandment
Do you cheerfully desire to obey those whom God has set over you - because God has made them to be in authority over you - because God requires this of you? and you cheerfully obey Him?  Is it easy for you to be submissive because you possess a godly, contented heart that loves both God and man?

Sixth Commandment
Because you possess a godly, contented, loving heart, is it impossible for you to harbor hostility toward your neighbor and desire that he be physically harmed?  Instead, do you desire his good health - both physical and spiritual?

Seventh Commandment
For the same reason is it impossible for you to lust after your neighbor's wife? to want to deprive a man of his wife? a woman of her chastity or purity? Instead, do you desire for others the purity that pleases God?

Eighth Commandment
Because you possess a godly, contented, loving heart, is it impossible for you to desire the possessions of another and harbor hostility against him because he owns something that you do not?  Instead, do you desire your neighbor's gain?

Ninth Commandment
Because you possess such a heart, is it impossible for you to desire to lie, or misuse the truth, and particularly to think so ill of your neighbor that you will speak so as to tear down his reputation?  Instead, do you desire his good name or reputation for integrity to flourish and be praised?

Tenth Commandment
Do you actually possess a godly, contented, loving heart? a heart that longs for the holiness and righteousness that God requires of you? a heart that desires for and clings to every one of God's commands? a righteous heart?  A heart such as this is possible only through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.

questions from Lauxstermann"s The Believer's Delight, p 114-5

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