Wed.’s Devo - Thou Shalt Not Steal

Read Ex. 20:15 The word “steal” means “to thieve; to deceive; to secretly bring or get by stealth”. Satan’s job is to steal, kill and destroy us. He is the great deceiver. He deceived Eve into eating the apple. Laban deceived Jacob and changed his wages 10 times. Saul deceived the witch at Endor and tried to hide the fact that he was the king. To deceive someone is the steal the truth from them. We might not steal some possession from someone, but we might rob them of the whole truth. James said in his 5th chapter: “12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” I wonder what things we might steal and not realize it is stealing … like stealing the show from someone who is suppose to be getting the attention, or stealing someone’s time with our petty problems that we should be sharing with God. How about stealing the pens at work and bringing them home. Or, stealing from Uncle Sam, when we justify by saying he isn’t spending it right anyway. Jesus paid his taxes to Rome when Rome was as crooked and evil as ever. He did it because it was the right thing to do. We can always justify our weaknesses or we can give them to God and allow him to make them our strengths. Lord, most of all, help us not to steal from you but to give cheerfully what your desire.