What is forbidden in the tenth commandment?
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 anything that is his.
Proofs
- The tenth commandment forbiddeth all discontentment with our own estate, (1 Kings 21:4; Esther 5:13; 1 Corinthians 10:10)
- envying or grieving at the good of our neighbour, (Galatians 5:26; James 3:14,16)
- and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his. (Romans 7:7–8, 13:9; Deuteronomy 5:21)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is discontent a sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The foolishness of man perverteth his way, and his heart fretteth against the Lord, (Proverbs 19:3)
Can it make our condition better?
Answer: No.
Proof: For which of you can by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature, (Matthew 6:27)
And will it certainly make it worse?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: All this availeth me nothing so long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting in the king’s gate, (Esther 5:13)
Is it a sin to undervalue present mercies?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As those did who despised the pleasant land, (Psalm 106:24)
Or to aggravate present afflictions?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As Hezekiah, who said, I reckoned till morning, that as a lion, so will he break all my bones, (Isaiah 38:13)
Is a discontented spirit from Satan?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Yea hath God said ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden, (Genesis 3:1)
Is a brand of ignominy affixed to it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: These are murmurers, complainers, (Jude 16)
And is a curse entailed upon it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied, (Psalm 59:15)
Section 2
Is envy a sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let us walk honestly as in the day, not in strife and envying, (Romans 13:13)
Is it a sin for the wicked to envy the just?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They shall see and be ashamed, for their envy at thy people, (Isaiah 26:11)
Or for the just to envy the wicked?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Envy not the oppresser, (Proverbs 3:31)
And is it a sin to envy for the sake of others?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Envyest thou for my sake? (Numbers 11:29)
Section 3
Is covetousness a great sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints, (Ephesians 5:3)
And a great vexation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, (Ecclesiastes 5:10)
Is it a hurt to our families?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house, (Proverbs 15:27)
And an injury to our neighbours?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thus Ahab’s covetousness caused Naboth’s murder, (1 Kings 21:1)
And above all an affront to God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For it is he that maketh poor and maketh rich, (1 Samuel 2:7)
Is it a sin that rarely goes unpunished in this world?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the iniquity of his covetousness I was wroth and smote him, (Isaiah 57:17)
But will it be severely punished in the world to come?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the covetous shall not inherit the kingdom of God, (1 Corinthians 6:9)
Should we therefore strive against it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thou, O man of God, flee these things, (1 Timothy 6:11)
And pray against it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Incline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness, (Psalm 119:36)
Section 4
May we desire unlawful enjoyments?
Answer: No.
Proof: We must not lust after evil things, (1 Corinthians 10:6)
Or lawful enjoyments inordinately?
Answer: No.
Proof: Labour not for the meat that perisheth, (John 6:27)
Doth all sin begin in the desires of the heart?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For sinners walk in the way of their heart, (Ecclesiastes 11:9)
Should we therefore keep a constant watch over it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Keep thine heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life, (Proverbs 4:23)