What is 'coveting', and is it a crime or a sin?
I view "coveting" as similar to the modern expression of "obsessing", not simply desiring to have something similar -- but rather that you think you cannot be OK without it and simply MUST HAVE
that one.
A negative aspect of such behavior, for the person involved, is that it creates a tendency to overlook all of the other things in life that one does have -- and creates a narrow focus on something that does not belong to you.
IMO, respect for that which belongs to another includes an understanding/belief that that which really belongs to me and is appropriate for my life will come to me through the proper channels, in the proper time -- and hopefully with benefit to others, rather than harm to anyone. I do not view coveting as a crime, and rarely use the word
sin -- but it could be called a "sin" since I think it derives from an error and creates a sense of personal fragmentation/isolation from the rest of the abundance of life.
Is it a sin or a crime to admire your neighbor's sports car and want a sports car for yourself? Or to admire your neighbor's wife and want a similar gal for yourself?
Should you be arrested for admiring the assets of your neighbor?
I don't think so.
Unless. . . . you make specific plans to unlawfully defraud your neighbor of his assets or conspire with your other neighbor to plan to do so.
I agree with you here. Although I use admiring and coveting as very different terms. I think they may be viewed as opposites.
For me, admiring what another has and opening up oneself to the possibility of having something similar is like a recognition of an abundance of good things available from God. IMO, coveting/obsession is based upon a focus on and belief in scarcity as a prevailing condition in your life, at least in that one area. Rather than being focused upon what things may be available to you in life, this kind of obsessive focus centers on a particular thing that seems to be missing -- on something you CAN'T have -- something that is not right for you, or that rightfully belongs to someone else.
What do you think? Should we have Thought Police to prosecute us for our thoughts, or should police only prosecute us for our actions. Wouldn't that be tyranny? What would God think about this? Do you think he is a tyrannical Policeman?
I don't know what God thinks. I don't think he is a tyrannical policeman.
Failure to understand the pitfalls of coveting and practicing it in life may create a painful experience. It is painful to obsess, and it may lead one toward destructive action, if taken too far.
To me, there is a definite correlation between thought and action. I think it is wise for a person to guard their own thoughts and not dwell upon those that lead in the direction of destructive/harmful behavior. However, I think a person's thoughts are nobody else's business. Behaving as thought police regarding internal thoughts are an overreaction that is likely to take a good idea of watching one's own thoughts, and taking it to an extreme that creates its own level of negativity -- harsh judgment against another, for that which caused no harm to anyone else.
I do not view it that just because someone has "bad" thoughts, that makes God mad. I think thoughts, even negative ones, can be a harmless playground for trying things out in the imagination WITHOUT the consequences of putting them in RL action. But, if one hangs out in a thought swamp for long enough, actions of a similar nature are
more likely to arise.
I see coveting as a particular type and intensity of thought process -- that causes internal harm to the individual because it creates a disconnect from what the person actually has in life and creates an orientation point of lack -- what is missing -- what is denied. That one thing becomes all important. It fragments the person's experience of all of the abundance actually available in life. It can also lead to strife within the community, if it is the basis for action to get that thing -- at any cost.
When it comes to someone else practicing coveting, that's their business. I don't think the commandment is like: Thou
shalt not allow thy neighbor to covet. It's an instruction to the individual not to do it.
I view refraining from coveting as a beneficial "commandment" because I see wisdom in understanding and applying it to oneself. As I see it, it works well in life. Additionally, IMO, a person can understand the underlying wisdom and benefit from it, with no belief in any form of God.
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