327. In the spiritual meaning, these commandments prohibit all the cravings that go against the spirit, that is, against the spiritual qualities taught by the church, which primarily relate to faith and goodwill. If our cravings were not tamed, our flesh would pursue its own freedom and would quickly fall into every kind of wickedness. From Paul we know that "The flesh has cravings that go against the spirit and the spirit has cravings that go against the flesh" (Galatians 5:17). From James we know that "All are tested by their own craving. When they become captivated, then after the craving conceives, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it reaches its final stage, brings forth death" (James 1:14-15). From Peter we know that "The Lord holds for the judgment day the unjust who are to be punished, especially those who walk according to the flesh in craving" (2 Peter 2:9-10).

In brief, these two commandments taken in their spiritual meaning look back to the spiritual meaning of all the commandments previously given, adding that we are not to crave doing those evil things. The same goes for all the commandments previously given in the heavenly meaning, but there is no point in listing them all again.