Ten Conversations: How To Live With a Clear Conscience
You must not have any other god but Me
You must not make for yourself an idol
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God
Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
Honor your father and mother
You must not murder
You must not commit adultery
You must not steal
You must not lie
You must not covet
Exodus 20:15 (AMP) You shall not steal [secretly, openly, fraudulently, or through carelessness].
Stealing is taking something that belongs to someone else without permission, usually in a secretive or deceptive way.
In Hebrew, stealing often carries the idea of “something that’s quiet, hidden…even socially acceptable on the surface—and yet, it’s still not right.”
Matthew 15:19-20 (NLT) For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you.
Psalm 24:1 (NLT) The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NLT) Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the one who is over all things.
1 Chronicles 29:12 (NLT) Wealth and honor come from You alone…
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV) But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth…
Haggai 2:8 (NLT) The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the Lord.
2 Corinthians 8:9 (NLT) You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty He could make you rich.
2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
How can we live with a clear conscience?
Ephesians 4:22-28 (NLT) throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. …28 If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.
1. Be honest (about what we’re doing)
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NLT) Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Luke 19:8 (NLT) “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.
2. Make amends (where it’s needed)
3. Walk in integrity
Ephesians 6:7 (NLT) Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Proverbs 16:11 (NLT) The Lord demands accurate [honest] scales and balances; He sets the standard for fairness.
4. Have a heart to give
We can steal in order to have.
We can work in order to have.
We can work in order to give.
Romans 8:32 (NKJV) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
Philippians 4:19 (NLT) And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches…