What is the meaning of the 8th Commandment? In What Way Does It Affirm the Fundamental Relational Meaning of Truth?

The 8th commandment is one of the ten commandments given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. It states, "You shall not steal." At first glance, this commandment might seem straightforward, but it has a deeper meaning that affirms the fundamental relational meaning of truth. In this blog post, we will explore the meaning of the 8th commandment and how it relates to truth.

What is the meaning of the 8th commandment?

The 8th commandment prohibits stealing. Stealing can take many forms, including taking what belongs to someone else without permission, cheating in business transactions, and embezzlement. The commandment is meant to protect people's property rights and promote fairness and justice in society.

However, the commandment goes beyond just the act of stealing. It also includes the intention to steal or the desire to take something that doesn't belong to you. This means that even if you don't physically take something, but you have the intention to do so, you are still breaking the commandment.

In What Way Does It Affirm the Fundamental Relational Meaning of Truth?

The 8th commandment affirms the fundamental relational meaning of truth in two ways. First, it affirms that truth is a relational concept. In other words, truth is not just about facts and information, but it is also about the relationships between people. When we steal, we damage the relationship between ourselves and the person we stole from. We break the trust that is necessary for healthy relationships to thrive.

Second, the 8th commandment affirms that truth is a fundamental part of God's character. God is a God of truth, and he expects his followers to be truthful as well. When we steal, we are not being truthful about our intentions or our actions. We are hiding the truth and trying to deceive others for our own gain.

The 8th commandment, therefore, is not just about property rights and fairness in society, but it is also about being truthful in our relationships with others. When we steal, we are not only breaking the law, but we are also breaking the trust that is necessary for healthy relationships to thrive. The commandment reminds us that truth is not just a concept, but it is a fundamental part of our relationships with others and with God.