What personal sins might God be highlighting through the "flying scroll" vision? The Flying Scroll Vision (Zechariah 5:1-4) “Again I lifted up my eyes and saw before me a flying scroll… ‘This is the curse that is going out over the whole land, for every thief will be removed according to what is written on one side, and everyone who swears falsely will be removed according to what is written on the other side’ ”. Two Sins Written Large • Theft – open, covert, or subtle taking of what is not ours • Swearing falsely – invoking God’s name to bolster a lie, promise, contract, or testimony we never intend to honor Personal Expressions of Theft Today • Pocket-level stealing: money, property, digital content, “borrowing” without return • Workplace theft: time-wasting on the clock, manipulating expense reports, taking supplies • Relational theft: siphoning credit, using others’ ideas without acknowledgment • Spiritual theft: withholding tithes or offerings owed to God (Malachi 3:8) Personal Expressions of Swearing Falsely Today • Empty “I swear to God” statements to sound convincing • Signing contracts or marriage vows with no intention of follow-through • False testimony in court, on tax forms, or on official records • Casual promise-breaking that drags God’s holy name through the mud by association Scripture Shining Light on Each Sin • Exodus 20:15 – “You shall not steal.” • Leviticus 6:2-5 – stealing, deceit, and required restitution • Ephesians 4:28 – “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must labor…” • Exodus 20:7 – “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” • Leviticus 19:12 – “You must not swear falsely by My name…” • Matthew 5:33-37 – Jesus’ call to truthful speech without oath-padding • James 5:12 – “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No,’ no, so that you will not fall under judgment.” Consequences Portrayed in the Vision • The scroll enters the house—sin finds us out (Numbers 32:23). • It consumes timbers and stones—persistent unrepentant sin erodes homes, finances, marriages, reputations. • Removal from the covenant community—loss of fellowship and blessing. Steps Toward Repentance and Restoration • Acknowledge: call the sin what God calls it—“theft,” “false swearing,” not “mistake.” • Confess: agree with God, bringing hidden acts into His light (1 John 1:9). • Restitute: repay or restore what was taken; make good on broken vows (Luke 19:8). • Replace: cultivate generosity and truthful speech, empowered by the Spirit (Colossians 3:9-10). |
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