Most of us want others to be open with us, but we struggle to be honest with others. Deception destroys our marriages and friendships and leaves ruin in its wake. Is there a way for us, as sinful and deceptive humans, to embrace truth?

# You shall Not Steal - The 8th Commandment

> Ex 20:15

## Explanation of theft

- Taking what belongs to another. Assumes private property.

- Includes physical possessions, extends to spouse and reputation, even intellectual property.

- Embezzlement is theft from an employer, using for personal enrichment funds that have been entrusted to you.

- Because we are only stewards who must give account, waste is a form of theft.

## Evils of Theft

- Disregards God’s provision for us.

- Disregards God’s provision for others.

- In the case of intellectual property, it represents someone else’s work as our own, which is lying.

- In the case of taking a spouse, it is equal to Adultery.

## Effects of theft

- It undermines progress in society. No one is certain that what they have worked hard to purchase or invent will be respected.

## Examples of theft.

- Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5)

- David and Bathsheba (2 Sam 11)

- Achan (Josh 7)

## An Excellent View Of Possessions

The Good Samaritan.

> Lk 10:25-37

- the thieves: What’s yours is mine, I’ll take it.

- The priest and Levi: What’s mine is mine, I’ll keep it.

- The Good Samaritan: What’s mine is yours, I’ll share it.

> Ephesians 4:28

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

The Fifth Commandment teaches us to honor our parents. God commands us to fear and obey the ones that gave us birth and trained us.

This is obviously important for children and teenagers, as they live under the authority of their dad and mom. But the Fifth Commandment is about more than just our parents and obedience. This Commandment is about how we relate to authorities, and ultimately, this is about how we relate to God.

In the fourth commandment, God lays down a law of rest for his people. Exodus 20:8-11

The Third Commandment

Exodus 20:7

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

This is a command against using God’s name thoughtlessly. Cursing and swearing are sins that will be judged. But is that all the Third Commandment is about? Listen as we look at what God’s Word has to say to us about our words, God’s name, and how we use it.

The second of the Ten Commandments states, “You shall make no graven image.” Isn’t this just another way of saying, “Don’t serve other gods”? Or is there something that makes this command distinct from the first commandment?

While the First Commandment forbids worship of false gods, the second is about the way we worship the true god. It commands us not to make an visible image to use in worship.

For us today, what are some of the ways that we make a false image of God? Not a visible statue, but an image in our minds that is untrue to who he is.

Millennia ago Stone Age tribes bowed at the altars of stone and wood, offering sacrifices and ascribing to their deity the power to alter natural events. They saw in their gods the authority that manipulated the events around them. They placated the powers with shed blood and reverence.

But that was then, and this is now. We have long since outgrown such outmoded ways of thinking. We know well enough that there are no unseen deities bringing thunder and rain, success and failure, life and death. And we have adjusted our lives accordingly.

Half a moment though. Is it possible that we have simply traded one set of gods for another? Are we really, deep within, just as incurable religious as ever, still bent in worship?

Perhaps the difference between us and our ancient ancestors is not the fact of worship but the recognition of the reality and centrality of worship. Maybe now we “worship we know not what”. Perhaps we should take a look at our hearts with the realization that there may be unconscious idols in our lives. May the Spirit of God open our eyes to the idols in our souls.

This message is from Exodus 20:2. The text is the prologue to the Ten Commandments, and God wants to remind his people that he is their Redeemer, the one who delivered them from their bondage in Egypt. And it is this deliverance from Egypt that frees Israel to obey God’s Law. While they were slaves in Egypt, they served Pharaoh. Pharaoh saw himself as the Son of God, worshiped as deity. But now God has delivered his people, and they are freed to serve him.

And it is no different for us today. Before we can truly obey God and walk in his law, we must be freed from our bondage to sin. And our freedom has been purchased by the death and resurrection of Christ. May we live as free men and women.

The Word of God is our foundation and rock of our lives. May we build upon this rock faithfully. 2 Timothy 3:16-17