1st Principle of Desire

In the Ten Commandments “Thou shalt not covet” (Romans 7:7, Romans 13:9) means don’t desire or take pleasure in your neighbor’s things. We may rightly covet what is allowed. Adam and Eve could eat from any tree they rightly desired, except one (Genesis 2:9). They coveted the forbidden tree (Genesis 3:6). Coveting God’s law is good (Psalm 19:9-10). Righteous people coveted seeing Christ (Matthew 13:17). Jesus earnestly desired eating the Last Supper with his disciples (Luke 22:15). Pastors covet their churches' spiritual success (Hebrews 6:11). So, the 1st principle of desire is “taking pleasure in” what is ours and not our neighbor’s.