The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Coveting

Coveting is a topic that often comes up in discussions about morality and ethics. It's a concept that can be found throughout the Bible, offering guidance on how to navigate desires and intentions.

This article compiles 50 Bible verses that address coveting. These verses provide insights and reflections on the nature of coveting and its impact on our lives.

50 Bible Verses About Coveting

10 Bible Verses on Coveting Material Wealth

• "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." — Exodus 20:17
• "You shall not covet your neighbor's wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's." — Deuteronomy 5:21
• "He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like foliage." — Proverbs 11:28
• "Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven." — Proverbs 23:4-5
• "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity." — Ecclesiastes 5:10
• "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." — Matthew 6:19-21
• "And He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'" — Luke 12:15
• "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." — 1 Timothy 6:9-10
• "You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." — James 4:2-3
• "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" — Hebrews 13:5

10 Bible Verses on Coveting Relationships

• "You shall not commit adultery." — Exodus 20:14
• "You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." — Leviticus 19:17-18
• "Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding; he who does so destroys his own soul." — Proverbs 6:32
• "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord." — Proverbs 18:22
• "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised." — Song of Solomon 8:6-7
• "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." — Matthew 5:28
• "But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." — Mark 10:6-9
• "Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband." — 1 Corinthians 7:2
• "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints." — Ephesians 5:3
• "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." — Colossians 3:5

10 Bible Verses on The Dangers of Coveting

• "For you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." — Exodus 34:14
• "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones." — Proverbs 14:30
• "Hell and Destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied." — Proverbs 27:20
• "Yes, they are greedy dogs which never have enough. And they are shepherds who cannot understand; they all look to their own way, every one for his own gain, from his own territory." — Isaiah 56:11
• "Because from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely." — Jeremiah 6:13
• "So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain." — Ezekiel 33:31
• "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." — Matthew 7:15
• "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'" — Luke 12:20
• "Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." — Romans 1:29-32
• "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." — 1 John 2:15-17

10 Bible Verses on Overcoming Coveting Desires

• "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." — Psalm 37:4
• "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life." — Proverbs 4:23
• "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." — Matthew 5:6
• "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." — Philippians 4:11-12
• "That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing." — 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
• "Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." — 2 Timothy 2:22
• "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." — Hebrews 12:1-2
• "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." — James 1:14-15
• "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul." — 1 Peter 2:11
• "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." — 1 John 3:18

10 Bible Verses on God's View on Coveting

• "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." — Exodus 20:17
• "(for the Lord your God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth." — Deuteronomy 6:15
• "He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house, but he who hates bribes will live." — Proverbs 15:27
• "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." — Matthew 6:24
• "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." — Luke 16:13
• "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, 'You shall not covet.'" — Romans 7:7
• "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being." — 1 Corinthians 10:24
• "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." — Galatians 5:26
• "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." — Ephesians 4:28
• "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content." — 1 Timothy 6:6-8

What Does the Bible Say About Coveting

Coveting is a common struggle that many people face. The Bible offers wisdom on this topic, guiding us to live more content and fulfilling lives. By understanding what the Bible says about coveting, we can learn to focus on what truly matters and find peace in our hearts.

One key theme is the danger of coveting material wealth. Verses like Proverbs 11:28 and Matthew 6:19-21 remind us that riches are fleeting and can lead us away from what is truly important. Instead of chasing after wealth, we are encouraged to seek treasures in heaven, where they are safe from decay and theft.

Another important theme is the impact of coveting on relationships. The Bible warns against desiring what belongs to others, whether it’s a spouse or possessions. Verses like Exodus 20:14 and Matthew 5:28 highlight the importance of faithfulness and contentment in our relationships, urging us to love and respect one another.

The Bible also speaks about the dangers of coveting in general. Proverbs 14:30 and Romans 1:29-32 show how envy and greed can lead to destructive behaviors and harm our well-being. By recognizing these dangers, we can strive to cultivate a heart of gratitude and generosity.

Finally, the Bible offers hope and guidance on overcoming coveting desires. Verses like Psalm 37:4 and Philippians 4:11-12 encourage us to find contentment in God and trust that He will provide for our needs. By focusing on our relationship with God, we can overcome the temptation to covet and live a more peaceful and joyful life.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Coveting

Applying the Bible's teachings on coveting to daily life is essential for finding contentment and peace. These verses offer practical wisdom that can transform our attitudes and actions.

• Start your day with a prayer for contentment. Ask God to help you appreciate what you have and resist the urge to desire what others possess.
• Practice gratitude by keeping a daily journal. Write down three things you are thankful for each day to shift your focus from what you lack to what you have.
• Engage in community service. Helping others can reduce feelings of envy and increase your sense of fulfillment.
• Limit exposure to materialistic influences. Reduce time spent on social media or watching shows that promote a lifestyle of excess.
• Build strong, supportive relationships. Surround yourself with people who encourage you to live a life of contentment and faith.

Remember, God is always with you, guiding you towards a life of peace and joy. Trust in His plan and let your faith lead you away from coveting.

For more prayers and Bible verses, visit PrayersFor or try our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.