Is it possible to sin without coveting, if there is no temptation available, can the opportunity for sin be present?
We do not go to the garden of Eden to search for the origin of sin, but to heaven itself, where we hear the covering cherubim say, “I will.”
“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:” (Isaiah 14:13)
Lucifer could not have something he wanted, which implies two things, that he, along with all the angels, were created sinless, and that they were created with free will.
“Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” (Eze. 28:15)
Lucifer realized that there was something in heaven that was denied him, which makes me consider that he first asked, for he would not know that whatever it was that he believed he should be able to attain was denied to him unless he first did so.
He first coveted, when he was told “No,” he had a choice, that is the gift of free will, to say in all humility and reverence to the Creator of all that is either “Thy will be done” or “I will.”
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev. 4:11)
Satan’s fall was not the catalyst of mankind’s fall, for Adam was also created with the ability to choose, with free will, and so it was necessary for there to be placed in the garden an item that was denied to him.
“But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” (Gen. 3:3)
One item and one item only, that is the only opportunity that our adversary was allowed, and it was all that was needed.
Eve saw that the fruit was good to make one wise and Adam harkened to the voice of his wife.
They coveted first.
I have witnessed small three-year-old children run into the street even after they have repeatedly been instructed by their parents not to do so, I have seen grown men, including myself, living lives they know are undeniably detrimental to their own welfare, who have lived the life of “I will.”
We do not seek at a certain age that toy in the children’s section of the store any longer, our covetousness grows with us as we mature, and the more we see of the items of this world, the greater the opportunity to covet.
There is much more than a singular piece of fruit available to us now, Satan has prepared an innumerable amount of items for mankind to covet, and each one of them allows us to express our free will.
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (1st Cor. 9:27)
The item that we covet must be made available for free will to exist, it is entirely up to us how we will express that free will. This is how we will be held accountable; this is also the beginning of the understanding of the grace of God.
This statement may be debatable, I do not know yet, but I believe that Satan has nothing to offer to mankind but materialistic items, he has nothing of the Spiritual to give anyone. He can offer power, power over people, the power of pride, but not everlasting life, not peace in the heart of a man.
Sin has an opportunity to advance when we become cognizant, when self-recognition forms in us, when we realize that we have free will. There is a strong possibility that saying “I will” may get that three-year-old hit by a car.
“No, you cannot sit in the sides of the north.”
Either rebellion or obedience is available to us, without this choice there is no free will.
“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” (Acts 9:5)
Coveting is wanting what has been denied you, here your free will makes you accountable for your decisions.