It would be absurd for such a law as this to be placed upon any human
statute book. It could never be enforced. The officers of the law
would be powerless to detect infractions. The outward conduct may be
regulated, but the thoughts and intents of a man are beyond the reach
of human law.
But God can see behind outward actions. He can read the thoughts of
the heart. Our innermost life, invisible to mortal eye, is laid bare
before Him. We cannot deceive Him by external conformity. He is able
to detect the least transgression and shortcoming, so that no man can
shirk detection. God cannot be imposed upon by the cleanness of the
outside of the cup and the platter.
Surely we have here another proof that the Ten Commandments are not of
human origin, but must be divine.
This commandment, then, did not, even on the surface, confine itself
to visible actions as did the preceding commandments. Even before
Christ came and showed their spiritual sweep, men had a commandment
that went beneath public-conduct and touched the very springs of
action. It directly prohibited--not the wrong act, but the wicked
desire that prompted the act. It forbade the evil thought, the
unlawful wish. It sought to prevent--not only sin, but the desire to
sin. In God's sight it is as wicked to set covetous eyes, as it is to
lay thieving hands, upon anything that is not ours.
And why? Because if the evil desire can be controlled, there will be
no outbreak in conduct. Desires have been called "actions in the egg."
The desire in the heart is the first step in the series that ends in
action. Kill the evil desire, and you successfully avoid the ill
results that would follow upon its hatching and development.
Prevention is better than cure.
We must not limit covetousness to the matter of money. The commandment
is not thus limited; it reads, "Thou shalt not covet. . . anything. . . ."
That word "anything" is what will condemn us. Though we do not
join in the race for wealth, have we not sometimes a hungry longing
for our neighbor's goodly lands--fine houses,--beautiful
clothes,--brilliant reputation,--personal accomplishments,--easy
circumstances,--comfortable surroundings? Have we not had the desire
to increase our possessions or to change our lot in accordance with
what we see in others? If so, we are guilty of having broken this law.