Topical Bible: Theft: Defiles a Man

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The concept of theft as a defiling act is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the moral and spiritual corruption it brings upon an individual. Theft, in its essence, is the unlawful taking of what belongs to another, violating the commandment, "You shall not steal" (Exodus 20:15). This act is not merely a social or legal transgression but a sin that defiles the heart and soul of a person.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ addresses the issue of what truly defiles a person. In the Gospel of Mark, He explains that it is not external factors that defile a man, but rather the evil that comes from within. Jesus states, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man" (Mark 7:21-23). Here, theft is listed among other grievous sins, highlighting its nature as a defiling act that originates from the heart.

The Apostle Paul also addresses theft in his epistles, urging believers to live lives of integrity and righteousness. In Ephesians 4:28, Paul instructs, "He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need" . This exhortation not only condemns theft but also encourages a transformation of character, from taking to giving, reflecting the redemptive power of Christ in a believer's life.

The Old Testament provides numerous examples and laws concerning theft, underscoring its seriousness. In Leviticus 19:11, the Israelites are commanded, "You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another" . The linkage of theft with deceit and falsehood illustrates the broader implications of theft as a breach of trust and community harmony.

The consequences of theft extend beyond the immediate act, affecting both the individual and the community. In the book of Proverbs, wisdom literature warns against the destructive nature of theft and dishonesty. Proverbs 29:24 states, "A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the curse, but discloses nothing" . This proverb highlights the self-destructive nature of theft, as it leads to spiritual and moral decay.

The biblical narrative also includes accounts that illustrate the impact of theft. The account of Achan in Joshua 7 serves as a sobering reminder of the communal consequences of individual sin. Achan's theft of devoted items led to Israel's defeat at Ai and brought judgment upon himself and his family. This account underscores the principle that theft defiles not only the individual but can also bring calamity upon the community.

In summary, theft is portrayed in the Bible as a defiling act that stems from the sinful nature of the human heart. It is a violation of God's commandments and an affront to His holiness. The biblical response to theft is repentance, restitution, and a transformed life that reflects the values of the Kingdom of God. Through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, believers are called to reject theft and embrace a life of honesty, integrity, and generosity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 15:20
These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands defiles not a man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Wherefore, that Thou May'st be Rightly Disposed Both for Thy Soul ...
... The first thing is: what thing defiles a man ... to set example of ill deeds: to hurt
any man in his body, or in his goods, or in his fame: theft: rapine: usury ...
/.../chapter vi wherefore that thou.htm

How Long Standing an Evil Love of Money Is...
... the Lord, and could not deny the theft, but owned ... the woman, and the favour of God
forsook the man. ... Seductive is money, whilst it also defiles those who have it ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxvi how long standing.htm

Letter Lv. To Amandus.
... Theft, manslaughter, and all other sins except fornication we ... his wife and that when
a man commits fornication ... against his wife inasmuch as he defiles her by ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lv to amandus.htm

Discourse of Abbot Theonas on the Apostle's Words: "For I do not ...
... For what sinner defiles himself unwillingly by adulteries and ... by unavoidable necessity
to oppress a man by false witness or cheat him by theft, or covet ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter i discourse of abbot 2.htm

A Description of Heart-Purity
... (ii) Covetousness is the root of theft. ... Under the law, if a man who was unclean by
a dead body, carried a piece of holy ... A foul hand defiles the purest water. ...
/.../16 a description of heart-purity.htm

Of Civil Government.
... murder, theft, adultery, and false witness; though they agree not ... the magistrate,
but also of the man, they behold ... your goods, an adulterer who defiles your bed ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... inspires bloodthirsty tyrants, who incites men to theft and murder ... custom was in
favour of a man's having as ... rebels, at the entrance to the defiles leading to ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.htm

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to ...
... away his neighbour's horse, not of hatred of theft, but for ... Such a man as will keep
far from an evil ... company with a person that pollutes and defiles, nor will ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a holy life the beauty.htm

part i
... Thy word"the Word of God""piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit."
[1] I have studied the laws regulating the mind of man, its love of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part i.htm

part ii
... What is most terrible to man? Death? ... An adulterer sees that through adultery he defiles
and dishonours his nature, his soul and body, subjects them to maladies ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm