Dawson2-7-15Answer the following questions in your essay: 1) How important is it to you for others not to mess with your stuff?2) How do you feel when others mess with your stuff?3) What message is communicated when you take it upon yourself to mess with other people's stuff?4) What does God's Word say about this?5) What does honor look like?

"You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15). This is a law that should be followed by one and all. There is no limit to the importance of this law, and those who do not follow it know the pain that disobedience to that law brings. The Lord Himself took it upon Himself to put the law in the Ten Commandments, cementing thievery as one of the worst possible sins. Obeying the law You shall not steal is a common courtesy, as you would not want your own things taken from you. When your stuff is taken, the only emotions you feel are sadness, anger, and betrayal. These feelings can translate into violent acts, or can be used as determination to find the thief or thieves. However, even if they are used for finding the thief, those feelings tear you up, leaving you broken inside. When someone takes another persons things, it shows a lack of respect for the victim and for the victims property. It doesnt matter if youre going to give it back later, or do something else along those lines, it still can ruin relationships between people just as lying does. Even more, it brings into question everything that the person has done, questioning if they ever cared about the people they hurt, thus causing the trust in the relationship to crumble even further. Gods Word has a lot to say about this. In one instance, Jesus uses stealing as a characteristic of the devil himself! This instance is John 10:10, which says, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. Another example of stealing being mentioned in the Bible states that thievery profanes the name of God! That verse, Proverbs 30:9, states, Otherwise, I might have too much and deny You, saying, Who is the Lord? or I might have nothing and steal, profaning the name of my God. Needless to say, thievery is condemned in the Bible. So, you might ask, what does the opposite of thievery look like? Well, its honor! Showing the Love of God to someone is a textbook definition of honor; however, just knowing the definition isnt always enough. In that case, here are some real life examples of honor: leaving peoples possessions alone; talking to them with respect, aka not badmouthing, not interrupting, etc.; and putting others before oneself. Thievery is a grievous sin. It hurts everyone involved, it crumbles relationships, and its condemned in the Bible. However, if one turns away from thievery, the life, and have it abundantly. alternative from John 10:10 presents itself, and one can live a happier, fuller life.