Media Alert!
March 2024
Blog #53
Sue Summers
MediaSavvyKids.org
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)
“You Shall Not Covet!”
About 40 years ago, Ted Turner, founder of CNN, declared “We’re living with outmoded rules. The rules we’re living under [are] the Ten Commandments, and I bet nobody here even pays much attention to ’em, because they are too old. When Moses went up on the mountain, there were no nuclear weapons, there was no poverty. Nobody around likes to be commanded.’” (https://americanvision.org/posts/are-christians-exempt-from-keeping-the-ten-commandments) And of those ten “outdated rules”, probably the least well-known is the commandment: “You shall not covet”.
The actual scripture states: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17, NIV)
Hmmm… But what does that mean?
In Dennis Prager’s YouTube video, “The Ten Commandments Explained”, he shares the idea that this commandment – coveting – is what actually causes the actions of murder (commandment #6), adultery (commandment #7), stealing (commandment #8), and lying (commandment #9). His 4-minute video is worth watching to enhance this idea. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbJjpn9DKE4)
Dictionary.com tells us to covet is “to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another’s property; to wish for, especially eagerly”.
Dr. Robert Jeffress, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, helps us understand this commandment:
“We live in a world that insists we should have more. This creates coveting – the desire for what doesn’t belong to us. Though coveting begins in the mind, it often works itself out through the hands and violates the other commandments. The greatest enemy to our happiness is dissatisfaction with God and His provision for us. We can conquer covetousness by learning to trust God and lean on His sovereignty in every circumstance.” (“The 10”, Dr. Robert Jeffress)
In our current culture, the world of advertising – in its many forms – persuades us that having more is a good thing. It is all based on coveting – wanting more. We are pressured to especially want what others have!
The average American is exposed to 4,000-10,000 ads per day. (“35+ Amazing Advertising Statistics [2023]”, http://www.zippia.com) If that seems astounding, consider signs, magazines, pop-up ads, product placement, snail mail, banners on websites, clothing, etc.
The goal of every advertising message is to tempt the viewers, readers, or listeners to want something: a product, a service, a trip, a restaurant visit, or an idea… basically, to generate a longing for something they don’t have.
Think of the strategies advertisers use to make a product or a concept seem appealing: celebrity endorsements, repetition, animation, humor, puppies, babies, social approval, increased beauty or physical stamina, and so many other clever schemes.
This inclination to covet doesn’t just happen because of advertising. Social media is filled with texts and images about extravagant and wonderful purchases or adventures… leaving readers filled with FOMO – the Fear Of Missing Out! And often times, it’s not just the fear of missing out on the product, but the fear of missing out on the “feel good” as well.
“Across age groups, the average time spent on social media ranges from as low as 4.1 hours per day for 13-year-olds to as high as 5.8 hours per day for 17-year-olds.” (https://news.gallup.com/poll/512576/teens-spend-average-hours-social-media-per-day.aspx)
Suddenly, we come away with a desire for new clothes, new shoes, a new car, new furniture, a cruise, jewelry, a trip to an exotic location, and so many other luxuries that we hadn’t even considered prior to being exposed to the enticing posts.
Americans grow up in a covetous lifestyle, instructing the players to keep score both economically and socially. Most of the time this happens within the bounds of the law, but as the daily lives of teens have changed radically over the past 20 years, more and more of teen “wants” come from social media posts and advertisements.
“Shoplifting is a major concern for retailers and parents alike. According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP)… $13 billion is stolen each year – about $35 million a day. The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) adds that around 25 percent of those apprehended for the crime are ages 13 to 17. Many teens don’t even perceive it as a big deal… Teens often want things they can’t have – especially in today’s economy – and getting something for nothing sounds like the perfect solution.” (www.metroparent.com/parenting/tweens-teens/shoplifting-teens)
Why would God include coveting as one of His “Top 10”? It seems that God knows us well and warns us not to be tempted by what others have. Our human nature strains to have what we don’t own, whether we need it or not. God’s desire for us is for good, and not for evil.
In the “Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed”, Jesus tells his disciples: “The seed that fell among the thorns represents others who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.” (Mark 4: 18-19, NLT) The desire for other things – the longing for what others have – is coveting.
So how can we help teens become media-savvy about the culture that surrounds them?
The concept of coveting is one that most teens skip over in their reading of the Ten Commandments, as it’s not a term we regularly use in our daily lives. Since understanding all of these commandments is essential for our obedience to God, it’s necessary that we spend time talking to teens about them. Following God’s rules helps us live the life of purpose that God has planned for us. Try these discussion starters:
• Read the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) and discuss each one. Ask them to explain what Jesus means when He talks about the commandments in Matthew 5:21-48.
• Share and discuss Dennis Prager’s 4-minute YouTube video, “The Ten Commandments Explained”. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbJjpn9DKE4)
• Read the Dr. Jeffress quote (listed above) to the teens. Ask about their reactions to his comment: “The greatest enemy to our happiness is dissatisfaction with God and His provision for us.” Discuss what attitudes or behaviors might result from feeling dissatisfaction with God.
• Ask, “God listed ‘do not covet’ as one of His “Top 10”, so this shows that He is concerned about this. Why do you think God considers coveting to be harmful for us?”
• Ask, “What do you think is the difference between ‘wanting’ and ‘coveting’?”
• Ask, “Do you think that most theft happens because of a need or a want?” Discuss the difference.
• Discuss shoplifting. What are some possible reasons this is happening so frequently in our culture.
• As the family or group watches TV programs or movies together, analyze whether any of the Ten Commandments are being broken. Discuss how entertainment media, which is often filled with crime, broken relationships, and hostility, impacts our attitudes and beliefs about what’s right and wrong in our society.
Note: Share this blog with your church’s youth pastor as a lesson for youth group gatherings.
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Sue Summers is a Christian media analyst, teacher, author, and speaker.
She is the Director of Media Alert!
Contact Info:
Blogs: MediaSavvyKids.org
Website: http://www.MediaAlert.org
Email: Sue@MediaAlert.org
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