Young People's Group

TURNING AWAY FROM WORTHLESS THINGS

by Pastor Mitch
October 14, 2007

Defining The Sin Of Covetousness

“Incline my heart… not to covetousness.” 
Psalm 119:36

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things” 
Psalm 119:37

The sin of covetousness is a sin that many struggle with. The psalmist, though he was a servant of God, found that he had a heart not free from covetousness. What is this sin of covetousness? It is the wrong manner by which we desire things and the sinful way by which we go about obtaining them. Very often, it is not just the thing that we are seeking to attain that matters. It is the way we yearn for them. When people covet, it is not just confined to tangible objects. It also refers to that which is intangible. For example, people could also yearn for personal fame and glory. Being famous in itself is not wrong. The Lord Jesus became famous when he started his ministry to preach the gospel and to heal people. However, seeking fame is wrong when we only think about it and we are willing to cheat and steal to obtain it. Recently, Marion Jones, a Sydney Olympic gold medallist runner, admitted to taking drugs to enhance her running. Having a car or a branded thing is not wrong in itself. It is the way by which we selfishly desire for them and we are willing to compromise our Biblical standards to obtain them. It is during such times that both visible and invisible things of life must be considered worthless. The Psalmist recognised this and he sought the Lord to help him turn away from them.

Knowing How To Turn Away From Worthless Things

How can we go about doing this?

1. Seeking The Lord For A Changed Heart

“Incline my heart to Your testimonies, 
And not to covetousness.”
Psalm 119:36

The Psalmist sought the Lord for a heart that would be more inclined to read and keep His word than one that would covet things. He asked the Lord to work on his heart and to shape it to treasure His word. Young people, let’s ask the Lord to transform our heart too. Let’s seek to love God’s word more than the things of this world.

2. Seeking The Lord For Revival To Walk In His Ways

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, 
And revive me in your way.”
Psalm 119:37

The Psalmist also sought the Lord for revival. He sought the revival of inner strength and resolve to turn away from profitless things of life. He sought the Lord for His strength to help him walk in His ways. Let’s also seek the Lord for the revival of our heart and spirit to live according to His ways and not according to our own desires.

Back to Article Listing