The eighth commandment is very important, although many people break it on a regular basis in the times we live in. It reads, “thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) Stealing could mean going into a supermarket and hiding things under your shirt and walking out with them. It could mean only scanning some of your groceries at self-check-out. It could mean robbing a bank. These types of things and other small things like taking someone’s scissors and not returning them is also stealing. The same can be said for pirating music, movies, and other illegal software on the internet. These are terrible crimes against the laws of the land and the God of the heavens. So instead of being a thief, a person should try to get a job. This way they won’t have a need to take money and things from businesses and people, which is very sinful in God’s eyes. When it comes to repenting of the crimes of being a thief and working for your labor instead. Paul said, “let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28) It is important to give and not to take what is not ours. Giving is of God, but taking other people’s things is of the devil.
Do you really think that being a thief is a characteristic of a Christian? Certainly, it isn’t. However, stealing, along with other sins can be repented of if done in this life. Putting off our day of repentance, while confessing our sins but not forsaking them will do us no good. So if you are a thief or have stolen things and have not asked God for forgiveness, then please do today. Don’t delay. In the last days before Jesus’s return, people will remain in their sinful state and then later be punished by the hand of God upon His return. These are those who are part of the wicked in that time. John wrote, “and the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.” (Revelation 9:20,21) Jesus is returning very soon. Don’t be one of those people who say that He hasn’t come yet and continues to live in willful sin. Don’t you realize that you could die tomorrow? Our life is not promised. So come to Jesus and let Him change you within. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord and God of the heavens, come and put Your Spirit in us. Help us to walk in Your ways and not the ways of this world. There are so many evil forces out there that are trying to get us to budge and have us forsake our faith in You. However, I know that You are greater than anything in this world. Each time I read the Bible and pray I am filled up with so much strength to resist temptation and to even fight against things my flesh desires. I love it when I find myself praising You and seeing the enemy flee. Surely, Satan hates it when we worship You, Jesus. Therefore, even now will I praise You. I give You glory, honor, and thanksgiving. You deserve everything we could offer at Your feet. Take every ounce of sin from our lives. This means our desires to steal, covet, fornicate, cuss, lie, get drunk, do drugs, be angry without a cause, and more. Take it all from our lives. Change us from within, that we might walk in Your statutes. All I desire is to have Your holiness, peace, joy, love, and mercy in my life. You are so patient with me. Thank You for forgiving me, although I don’t always deserve it. I am so grateful to have You in my life, Lord. I don’t wish for You to ever leave me. Heaven is what I look forward to. I love You, God. Amen.
