How can we apply the warning in Zechariah 5:3 to our daily lives? The Warning Stated “Then he said to me, ‘This is the curse that is going forth over the face of all the land; for every thief shall be banished, according to what is on one side of the scroll, and every perjurer shall be banished, according to what is on the other.’” (Zechariah 5:3) Why It Still Matters • God’s Word pronounces a real, active curse on theft and false witness. • The flying scroll pictures Scripture moving swiftly and universally—no one can outrun its verdict. • The curse is not random; it targets specific sins that unravel community trust and dishonor God’s holy name. Modern Expressions of Theft and Falsehood • Skimming hours at work, inflating expense reports, or under-reporting taxes • Downloading or streaming copyrighted material without paying • Plagiarizing school assignments or workplace presentations • Spreading rumors, half-truths, or “harmless” exaggerations online • Breaking promises—contracts, wedding vows, signed agreements • Manipulating numbers in business, ministry, or personal finance • Posting fake reviews or false identities on social media Taking the Warning to Heart 1. Recognize that “You shall not steal” and “You shall not bear false witness” (Exodus 20:15-16) remain binding moral law. 2. Understand that “All things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13). 3. Remember God’s hatred of lying lips (Proverbs 12:22) and His promise that thieves “will not inherit the kingdom of God” apart from repentance (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). 4. Acknowledge the gospel hope: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9). Practical Steps for Daily Integrity • Do a heart audit: ask the Spirit to expose hidden corners of dishonesty. • Make restitution where possible—return money, correct misinformation, restore reputations. • Establish accountability: invite a trusted believer to ask hard questions about cash, clicks, and conversations. • Speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:25); refuse gossip even when it feels harmless. • Work “not with eye-service, as man-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart” (Colossians 3:22). • Replace theft with generosity: “He who steals must steal no longer; rather he must labor… so he may have something to share” (Ephesians 4:28). • Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no (Matthew 5:37); keep appointments, deadlines, and vows. • Memorize and meditate on verses that highlight God’s truthfulness (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2). Encouragement from Other Scriptures • Psalm 15—God honors the one “who swears to his own hurt and does not change.” • Proverbs 10:9—“He who walks in integrity walks securely.” • 1 Peter 2:12—Live honorably so that even skeptics may glorify God. • James 5:12—Avoid reckless oaths; simple truthfulness shields us from judgment. Living Under Grace, Not Curse Christ “redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). Because He bore the penalty our thefts and lies deserved, we are free to walk in newness of life. His Spirit now empowers honest work, truthful speech, and joyful generosity—daily evidence that the scroll’s warning has driven us to the Savior and is shaping us into people of transparent integrity. |
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