1. This Week’s Quiet Times: April 2-6, 2012
The Envy Trap
MONDAY
To understand the commandments is to understand human nature. God reveals
our weaknesses through them “for he understands how we are formed, he
remembers that we are dust” (Psalms 103:14). Read Exodus 20:17. We are all
guilty of one form of covetousness or another and
need to understand it so that through Jesus Christ we
can overcome! First look up the word covet or
covetousness in a dictionary (the Nelson’s Illustrated
Bible Dictionary has an especially clear definition in it).
Write the definition down. Now list the things God
speaks of in the commandment that we are covetous
of. Remember that the word neighbor includes everyone! Which of these things
do you struggle with the most and why? Bring your sin to the Lord in prayer and
ask for forgiveness and deliverance. He will hear the prayer of faith and he will
answer!!
TUESDAY
Today we are going to look at the result of a covetous heart. Remember when
God issued the commandments to his children he also promised that those who
obeyed would inherit the promised land (a land flowing with milk and honey--
Canaan)!! Read Joshua 5-7. Here we see God in his awesome power fulfilling his
promise to the Israelites. He is delivering a great and powerful city into their
hands in order to give them the promised land. God clearly shows them that he
provides everything they need. Take note of 6:17-19. He specifically tells them
that all the silver, gold, bronze and iron in Jericho was to be devoted to the Lord,
they were not to take these as personal possessions. What was Achan’s sin?
What was the cause of this sin? Do you see how dangerous it is to follow the
desires of the heart? What was the consequences of Achan’s sin for himself? His
family? And all Israel? If you read chapter 8 you will see how foolish Achan was
to take what God had not yet given him. The next city God gave to Israel was
called Ai and with this city he allowed them to take the very articles that Achan
coveted. He just was not patient enough to let the Lord provide for him.
Understand that God is to be revered and that we will also die if we submit to
covetousness as opposed to the Lord!! Truly “the fear of the Lord is the beginning

2. of wisdom” (Prov.9:10). Write Matthew 6:21 on an index card and commit it to
heart! Make sure that the Lord and his kingdom are what you treasure above all
else!!
WEDNESDAY
Read 1Corinthians 10:1-13 and you will see that everything written in the Old
Testament was written as an example for you and me! Now turn to 2 Kings 5.
What motivated Gehazi to lie to Naaman? What was it that he desired? What
was the result of his sin? Apply this to your own life. Are you honest with your
brothers and sisters about the things you are pursuing and want or are you like
Gehazi, pursuing these things and then trying to hide it? Is there anything you are
doing (coveting) that you do not want to be open about? Understand that you
are called to live in the light (1 John 1:5-7). Confess your sin to the Lord and to
another brother or sister who is able to pray for you, advise you and help you (see
James 5:13-16)! Remember that in the Lord “we are more than conquerors
through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
THURSDAY
Hopefully you have already been convicted about the sin of covetousness in your
life, if not, prepare for today’s quiet time! Let’s read James 4:1-10. Do you
recognize the desires that battle within you? What are they? How are you at
controlling them? What is the answer to your struggles? Write verse 7 on an
index card, and carry it with you until you memorize it! Make signs with
scriptures to hang in your room or on your refrigerator which will help you
overcome your struggles.
FRIDAY
Understanding who and what we really are and where we stand before God
requires spiritual maturity. Read Romans 7&8 and learn from the apostle Paul.
What did sin produce in Paul? How did Paul view himself in v.18? Why did he
view himself this way? How do you see yourself in relation to God? According to
chapter 8 what are we obligated to live by? How can we accomplish this? Take
time to reflect on what it means to live according to the Spirit. What are some
things you will do today to please the Spirit as opposed to pleasing the flesh?
Call a brother or sister and share these things with him or her! Praise the Lord for
the fact that you are able to overcome covetousness through Christ, see
Philippians 4:13!