The Eighth Commandment
“Thou shalt not steal”
Question: Has God made man capable of stealing, of being a thief, or a robber?
Answer: In reality, no. God’s image and likeness cannot steal or rob. It is only a belief of
mortal mind that claims man has a material personality that would choose to take from
another, or can be a victim of theft. This is a truth we could use to heal a belief of wanting
to steal, or a fear that we can be stolen from.
Mary Baker Eddy uses the term individuality to describe man’s identity. It means “not
divisible,” something whole that cannot be divided into parts. God has made each
individual expression of Himself whole and complete. There is no need in His kingdom
for any idea to take from another, and no power in a material personality to rob our
individuality.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ (St. John). This great truth of God’s impersonality and individuality and of man in His image and likeness,
individual, but not personal, is the foundation of Christian Science.” (My. 117)
“Man has perpetual individuality; and God’s laws, and their intelligent and harmonious action,
constitute his individuality in the Science of Soul.” (No. 11)
“Personality is not the individuality of man. A wicked man may have an attractive personality.”
(S&H 491)
Practice: Today, think about some of your spiritual qualities that no thief would be able to take away from you. For instance, can you be robbed of your sense of humor? Your joy?
Your love? These make up your true individuality
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(Excerpted from “First Lessons in Christian Science, Volume One: The Ten Commandments”
Copyright 2001)
Next: The Eighth Commandment – Q&A #5
List of all pages and lessons in Volume One: The Ten Commandments
First Lessons in Christian Science 