Unknown Thief quotes

"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries

AN UNKNOWN THIEF quotes

1) “Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15; Matthew 19:18; Romans 13:9.

Is stopping all outright stealing the only thing that this commandment deals with?

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28.

Christ states that not only did that commandment prohibit the physical and literal act of adultery, but it also prohibited the internal or spiritual carnal lust to commit adultery. The physical act would be something that could be openly seen, while the spiritual act would be something that was unseen and unnoticed. This reveals that the commandments of God are much broader in scope, and not only prohibit outward and open acts of sinning, but also prohibit the hidden, unseen and unnoticed sinful actions.

This means that when dealing with the 8th commandment, we may outwardly appear to be honest in respecting the property of others, and yet we may actually be living in sin as an unknown thief!

2) What are the areas which the divine command “Thou shalt not steal” govern?

The Hebrew word for "steal" is “ganab” and it translates and means “to thieve, to deceive, to steal, to get by stealth” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, word #1589). The Greek word for "steal" is “klepto” and it translates means “to filch, to steal” (Strong's, word #2813). This means that the Bible definition for to steal means to thieve, to filch, to get by stealth, and even to deceive.

There are 5 major areas where we can steal from or deceive others:

1 - From the world

2 - From one another

3 - From the messengers or workers or ministers of the Lord God

4 - From ourselves

3) #1 - Stealing From and Deceiving the World

There are 2 main areas where we can steal from or deceive the world? At least 2 main areas:

A - Not giving the gospel message.

B - Not supporting the gospel message.

#1A – Not giving or spreading the gospel message of Jesus Christ

Stealing: By withholding the truth from the world, then you would be guilty of stealing away from people their precious chance for eternal life.

Deceiving: By claiming to be a Christian, but yet not living the truth of the gospel, then you are guilty of deceiving the world by presenting a false gospel message in your life.

If you are guilty of either stealing from or deceiving the world, and you have repented, then what are you to do?

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15.

“And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:42-43.

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season”. 2 Timothy 4:2.

4) #1B – Not supporting the spreading of the gospel message of Jesus Christ

Stealing: By not supporting the spreading of the gospel, then it takes much longer for it to reach precious souls. This means that some may perish before it reaches them. If this were to happen, then you would be guilty of stealing away from them the precious chance to be saved.

Deceiving: By claiming to be a follower of God, but yet not following His example of sacrificing in order to save precious souls, then you are guilty of deceiving the world by presenting a false example of what a Christian life should be.

If you are guilty of either stealing from or deceiving the world in this area, and you have repented, then what are you to do?

“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.” Deuteronomy 16:17.

“He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.

“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6-17-19.

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen”. Isaiah 43:10.

5) #2 - Stealing From and Deceiving One Another (including spouses, family, friends, etc.)

How can we steal from or deceive one another? There are at least 5 main areas:

A - Not bearing one another’s burdens

B - Not manifesting love

C - Not being forgiving

D - Not dwelling in unity

E - Bearing false witness.

#2A – Not bearing one another’s burdens

Stealing: By not bearing one another’s burdens then you would be guilty of stealing comfort, strength and well-being away from them, and instead adding grief, tiredness and exhaustion to them.

If you are guilty of doing this, and you have repented, then what are you to do?

“Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2.

6) #2B – Not manifesting true Christlike love

Stealing: By not loving one another as Christ loves you, then you would be guilty of stealing needed affection and love away from others, and instead adding sorrow, jealousy and hatred to them.

If you are guilty of being unloving, and you have repented, then what are you to do?

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35.

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”. Romans 12:9-10.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8.

7) #2C – Not being forgiving

Stealing: By not forgiving one another as God has forgiven you, then you are guilty of stealing companionship and contentment away from them, and instead adding loneliness and discontent to them.

If you are guilty of being unforgiving, and you have repented, then what are you to do?

“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:17-18.

“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven”. Luke 6:37.

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:8-9.

8) #2D – Disunity

Stealing: By not living in true Godly unity with one another, then you are guilty of stealing away peace, strength, joy and happiness from the members of the body of Christ, and instead adding troubles, warfare and weakness to them.

If you are guilty of disunity, and you have repented, then what are you to do?

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace....And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:1-3, 11-13.

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:20-23.

“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind....Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 2:2, 4-5.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is”. Hebrews 10:25.

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11.

9) #2E – Evil surmising, or spreading rumors, or bearing false witness

Stealing: By not controlling your tongue or pen but engaging in evil surmising, or spreading of rumors, or bearing false witness about another, then you are guilty of robbing away peace, prosperity, trust and freedom from them, and instead adding trials, hardships, suspicion and barriers to them.

If you are guilty of bearing false witness, and you have repented, then what are you to do?

“But let none of you suffer...as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.” 1 Peter 4:15.

“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.” Levitcus 19:16.

“Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not....And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.” 1 Timothy 5:12-13, 7.

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3.

10) How does deception enter into all parts of this second area?

Deceiving: By claiming to be the fellow brothers and sisters in the faith with one another, or the companion of your spouse, relatives, friends, etc., but yet you are not bearing their burdens, or giving them love, or being forgiving, or fellowshipping with them, or bearing false witness about them, then you are guilty of lying and deceiving them.

What will happen if we continue on in this deception?

“Ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived”. 1 Corinthians 6:8-9.

If you are guilty of deceiving one another, and have repented, then what are you to do?

“That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:6-7.

“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:19.

“And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes AN UNKNOWN THIEF quotes 1) “Thou shalt not steal.” Exodus 20:15; Matthew 19:18; Romans 13:9. Is stopping all outright stealing the only thing that this commandment deals with? “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28. Christ states that not only did that commandment prohibit the physical and literal act of adultery, but it also prohibited the internal or spiritual carnal lust to commit adultery. The physical act would be something that could be openly seen, while the spiritual act would be something that was unseen and unnoticed. This reveals that the commandments of God are much broader in scope, and not only prohibit outward and open acts of sinning, but also prohibit the hidden, unseen and unnoticed sinful actions. This means that when dealing with the 8th commandment, we may outwardly appear to be honest in respecting the property of others, and yet we may actually be living in sin as an unknown thief! 2) What are the areas which the divine command “Thou shalt not steal” govern? The Hebrew word for "steal" is “ganab” and it translates and means “to thieve, to deceive, to steal, to get by stealth” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, word #1589). The Greek word for "steal" is “klepto” and it translates means “to filch, to steal” (Strong's, word #2813). This means that the Bible definition for to steal means to thieve, to filch, to get by stealth, and even to deceive. There are 5 major areas where we can steal from or deceive others: 1 - From the world 2 - From one another 3 - From the messengers or workers or ministers of the Lord God 4 - From ourselves 5 - From God 3) #1 - Stealing From and Deceiving the World There are 2 main areas where we can steal from or deceive the world? At least 2 main areas: A - Not giving the gospel message. B - Not supporting the gospel message. #1A – Not giving or spreading the gospel message of Jesus Christ Stealing: By withholding the truth from the world, then you would be guilty of stealing away from people their precious chance for eternal life. Deceiving: By claiming to be a Christian, but yet not living the truth of the gospel, then you are guilty of deceiving the world by presenting a false gospel message in your life. If you are guilty of either stealing from or deceiving the world, and you have repented, then what are you to do? “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15. “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:42-43. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season”. 2 Timothy 4:2. 4) #1B – Not supporting the spreading of the gospel message of Jesus Christ Stealing: By not supporting the spreading of the gospel, then it takes much longer for it to reach precious souls. This means that some may perish before it reaches them. If this were to happen, then you would be guilty of stealing away from them the precious chance to be saved. Deceiving: By claiming to be a follower of God, but yet not following His example of sacrificing in order to save precious souls, then you are guilty of deceiving the world by presenting a false example of what a Christian life should be. If you are guilty of either stealing from or deceiving the world in this area, and you have repented, then what are you to do? “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.” Deuteronomy 16:17. “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6-17-19. “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen”. Isaiah 43:10. 5) #2 - Stealing From and Deceiving One Another (including spouses, family, friends, etc.) How can we steal from or deceive one another? There are at least 5 main areas: A - Not bearing one another’s burdens B - Not manifesting love C - Not being forgiving D - Not dwelling in unity E - Bearing false witness. #2A – Not bearing one another’s burdens Stealing: By not bearing one another’s burdens then you would be guilty of stealing comfort, strength and well-being away from them, and instead adding grief, tiredness and exhaustion to them. If you are guilty of doing this, and you have repented, then what are you to do? “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2. 6) #2B – Not manifesting true Christlike love Stealing: By not loving one another as Christ loves you, then you would be guilty of stealing needed affection and love away from others, and instead adding sorrow, jealousy and hatred to them. If you are guilty of being unloving, and you have repented, then what are you to do? “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:34-35. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another”. Romans 12:9-10. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8. 7) #2C – Not being forgiving Stealing: By not forgiving one another as God has forgiven you, then you are guilty of stealing companionship and contentment away from them, and instead adding loneliness and discontent to them. If you are guilty of being unforgiving, and you have repented, then what are you to do? “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:17-18. “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven”. Luke 6:37. “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:8-9. 8) #2D – Disunity Stealing: By not living in true Godly unity with one another, then you are guilty of stealing away peace, strength, joy and happiness from the members of the body of Christ, and instead adding troubles, warfare and weakness to them. If you are guilty of disunity, and you have repented, then what are you to do? “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace....And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: Ephesians 4:1-3, 11-13. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:20-23. “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind....Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 2:2, 4-5. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is”. Hebrews 10:25. “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11. 9) #2E – Evil surmising, or spreading rumors, or bearing false witness Stealing: By not controlling your tongue or pen but engaging in evil surmising, or spreading of rumors, or bearing false witness about another, then you are guilty of robbing away peace, prosperity, trust and freedom from them, and instead adding trials, hardships, suspicion and barriers to them. If you are guilty of bearing false witness, and you have repented, then what are you to do? “But let none of you suffer...as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.” 1 Peter 4:15. “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.” Levitcus 19:16. “Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not....And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.” 1 Timothy 5:12-13, 7. “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Philippians 2:3. 10) How does deception enter into all parts of this second area? Deceiving: By claiming to be the fellow brothers and sisters in the faith with one another, or the companion of your spouse, relatives, friends, etc., but yet you are not bearing their burdens, or giving them love, or being forgiving, or fellowshipping with them, or bearing false witness about them, then you are guilty of lying and deceiving them. What will happen if we continue on in this deception? “Ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived”. 1 Corinthians 6:8-9. If you are guilty of deceiving one another, and have repented, then what are you to do? “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” 1 Thessalonians 4:6-7. “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:19. “And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:13.