new but OLD.

Ever since we were children we are told stories. Some true, others fairy tales. I myself would rather hear about the true ones, on the contrary I would rather tell the fairy tales. I was reading a story today and it will be up to you to determine if you think it is true or not. Some of the ideas below are related to the book Sex God written by Rob Bell on pages 80-84, please read to identify common ideas. The verse that is of particular interest is found in Ephesians 4:28.

"Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. "

If we take this idea of stealing into consideration there are different aspects that attract people to do so. Usually, but not always stealing begins because there is a desire to have something, but not having a legal way of obtaining it. For example a family has no money and is hungry, so a family member steals a loaf of bread. While this even is occurring there are different aspects that are experienced by this individual. First, decide that this action must take place. Second, develop a plan. Third, involve the necessary people. Fourth, set up the event. Fifth, carry it out. During step five, the action process, this individual is experiencing of an adrenaline rush. Six, reap the benefits.

Paul is the writer of Ephesians and he is writing to the saints of Ephesus. He is telling a thief not to steal, not go through any of the steps above, and to replace all of them with a job. Why would a thief do this? They don't have to work and eventually if they become good enough they can make a great living stealing what others have worked so hard to obtain. Where would their motivation to stop come from? Punishment? Being caught? Morals? Paul is calling for these individuals to stop their dishonest trade for an honest one. This not only seems ridiculous, but also not very practical.

If we continue to read this request it becomes even more unlikely to occur. Stop stealing. Get a job. Now help someone else. Really Paul? Yes! And what is even more interesting is "doing an honest work with his own hands." Why does Paul point this out? He points this out because it is HUGE! Think about how many thing you do with you hands. Some good, others bad. However there is always the potential for good. Doing bad things using your hands usually does not result with a good outcome.

For example, a father who hits their child. The father may gain a sense of having power, while the child is not only physically harmed, but made to feel inadequate. This is an extreme example, however it paints a clear image of the effects of choosing to do bad with your hands. An example of good, as a young child you are at play the majority of the time. Accidents often happen during this time frame and injuries are a result. The child begins to cry. Their parent's adrenaline level raises wondering what is wrong. The child will run to their parents arms for comfort and healing. They need their parents to care for them. The mother or father sweeps the children into their arms and kisses the scraped knee and the child finds comfort. Then runs off again.

Both examples used involve children and their interaction with parents. Children do not hide their emotions. In this we can learn a lot from them, but only if we pay close attention. The child from the first situation is suffering to make their father feel good. In order for the father to accomplish his desire, he sees it fit to abuse his child. If you were to approach this parent and tell him to hug his child instead, what do you think his response would be? Would it change after he knew the effects it was having on his child? What if the father received the help he needed? Could he then change his behavior? What would it take for the father to stop? In relation to the verse, Paul asks for this father not only to stop abusing his child, but also to change his habit to benefit his child.


Jumping back to the example of the child who scraped their knee and went to their parent for comfort. The child is at play. This is natural. The parent's greet their child with open arms. The child receives comfort and continues their play. Both the child and the parent have benefited from the situation. The child received the comfort and love they long for, while the parent feels useful and productive. One child walks away harmed, the other healed.

Paul, makes this point clear using jobs as an example. Identifying similar characteristic with children can help us to see these problems in our own lives. As a thief there is a specific adrenaline rush, alongside the need for something that is a driving force. As a child the need and desire for love which often directs their actions even if the child is completely unaware of this. Verse 28 tells us to stop stealing, find a job, do something useful with our hands, replace stealing with helping others. Ultimately it is asking us to stop being selfish and help those in need. Replace a bad adrenaline rush with a good one. Replacement is KEY! Another thing that is clear in this verse is to stop something, but to REPLACE it with something else. It is extremely difficult be use to an adrenaline rush, but when there is nothing then what? Where does the thrill come from? That is not what Paul is saying to us. We need to figure out where our six steps are taking us, and what is giving us our rush. What is fulfilling our desires? These desires should be that of the parent who opens their arms and shares their love to their child. Both individuals involved benefit from the situation. It is helpful. Satisfying. An adrenaline rush. Finding what drives your soul and being present to experience it. BE PRESENT. Replace the bad with GOOD.