If you look at the definition in the Hebrew- Greek you will see it is a matter of intensity of desire along with the “object” of that desire.
Covetousness (Heb. ḥāmad, to “desire”; beṣaʼ, “dishonest gain”; Gk. pleoneksia, “the wish to have more”). An inordinate desire for what one has not; in NASB this word is translated “greed”; its basis lies in discontentment with what one has. It has an element of lawlessness and is sinful because it is contrary to the command “Being content with what you have” (Heb 13:5),
The verb is also used in a good sense (1Co 12:31- “but earnestly desire the greater gifts”).
This was covetousnesss to Paul:
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
However, as always, there are two sides to this coin. One is to meditate on how the depths of our sin magnifies the mercy of Jesus, and so excuse the sin within. Believing it remains.
As the other focuses on the fact that not only is Jesus merciful enough to forgive, he is also willing and able to clean the sin from our hearts.
I see too many focus on the mercy yet neglect the cleansing. So excusing there sins because they think Jesus only forgives. But he not only calls to forgive he also intends to purify, in the here and now.
You in your heart want to follow what is in your heart. You cannot seek to excuse what is in your heart and mind. Because that is where God placed his laws in me, I have no excuse for sin, and have no rest or peace if I commit 'wilfull sin'' until I come before my Father in Heaven and tell him I am sorry for my folly.
Nor do I havew the liuxury of dumbing the law within me down from the pristine level it is set at. It amazes, and I say this sincerely, how some who clainm to obey the ten commandments can do that. It is a world I know nothing of