What are the consequences of ignoring the command "You shall not steal"? The Command in Context Exodus 20:15 keeps it simple: “You shall not steal”. The Lord establishes this as one of the foundational pillars for life together. Everything that follows comes from treating this command as literal, binding, and good. Moral and Spiritual Fallout • Sin against God: 2 Samuel 12:13 shows David confessing, “I have sinned against the LORD,” after theft and adultery. Every theft is first a crime against the Law-giver. • Separation of fellowship: Isaiah 59:2—“Your iniquities have separated you from your God”. Persistent stealing dulls spiritual sensitivity and hinders prayer. • Loss of integrity: Proverbs 10:2—“Ill-gotten treasures are of no value.” The soul grows uneasy, conscience becomes calloused. Relational and Social Damage • Broken trust: Proverbs 25:19 compares unfaithful people to “a bad tooth”—painful and unreliable. • Harm to neighbors: Romans 13:9 bundles “You shall not steal” with loving your neighbor; ignoring it undermines community life. • Ripple effect: A stolen tool, idea, or reputation can set off a chain of resentment, suspicion, and revenge. Legal and Financial Repercussions • Restitution requirements: Exodus 22:3—“A thief must make full restitution.” Biblical law demands repayment that costs more than any gain. • Civil penalties today: Romans 13:4 reminds us that governing authorities “are God’s servants to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Fines, jail time, job loss, and a criminal record follow. • Proverbs 6:30-31—Even thieves driven by hunger “must pay sevenfold,” sometimes giving up “all the wealth of their house.” Eternal Perspective • Exclusion from inheritance: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists “thieves” among those who “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” • Divine judgment: Galatians 6:7—“God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, he will reap.” • Loss of heavenly reward: Ephesians 5:5 warns that anyone characterized by covetous behavior “has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” Stealing from God • Malachi 3:8-9—“Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me… You are cursed with a curse.” Withholding tithes, time, or talents is spiritual theft and invites discipline. • Acts 5:1-11 shows Ananias and Sapphira’s deceptive offering, ending in sudden death—sobering proof of how seriously God views what is His. Path to Restoration • Confession and repentance: Proverbs 28:13—“He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.” • Making amends: Luke 19:8—Zacchaeus pledges fourfold restitution and receives Jesus’ affirmation: “Today salvation has come to this house.” • Embracing new habits: Ephesians 4:28—“He who steals must steal no longer, but rather must labor, doing what is good with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with the one in need.” Honest work plus generosity reverses the curse of theft. Key Takeaway Ignoring “You shall not steal” drains spiritual vitality, wrecks relationships, invites legal trouble, and, unrepented, bars entrance to God’s kingdom. Honoring the command leads to freedom, trust, and lasting blessing. |
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