06/03/2026
Last Sunday's message focused on the commandment "Thou shalt not steal". Here's the first of two devotionals from that message: “WHAT STEALING REALLY STEALS” (PART 1)
Exodus 20:15 (KJV)
“Thou shalt not steal.”
Joshua 24:15 (NLT)
“But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”
Matthew 7:12 (NLT)
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”
This command from God is short, direct, and absolute. “Thou shalt not steal” is not just about property. It is about integrity, trust, and the condition of the human heart. In a culture where dishonesty is often minimized, God draws a clear line because what we excuse externally eventually reshapes us internally.
Stealing damages more than possessions. It erodes trust in relationships, workplaces, and communities. Every act of dishonesty, whether large or small, weakens the foundation that society depends on. God’s concern is not only what we take, but who we are becoming in the process.
Key Points
• Stealing violates God’s clear moral command
• Dishonesty slowly erodes trust in every relationship
• Small compromises can lead to larger patterns of sin
• Integrity protects both community stability and personal character
Personal Reflection Questions
• Where am I tempted to excuse small forms of dishonesty?
• Do my private actions match my public values?
• Who has been affected by broken trust in my life?
• What compromises have I started to normalize?
Thought for My Life
Integrity is not built in big moments, but in daily decisions. Every time I choose honesty when dishonesty would be easier, I strengthen my character. God is not only guiding what I do, He is shaping who I am becoming. I need to take every small compromise seriously, because small steps always become a direction.