Philosophy View of Stolen
"Stolen" means something was taken away without permission. It can refer to physical things, like someone taking your phone or money, or non-physical things, like when someone causes you to lose your peace, happiness, or confidence. When something is stolen, it’s not given willingly, and it’s usually taken by force or dishonesty. In life, we might feel like things such as our opportunities, health, or relationships have been "stolen" by bad situations or challenges. When this happens, we often want to get back what was lost or taken from us and restore balance or happiness.
Biblical View of Stolen
The Bible speaks clearly about stealing and the consequences of taking what doesn't belong to you. God values justice, honesty, and the restoration of what has been lost or stolen.
Here are a few key points:
Stealing Is Forbidden: The Bible commands people not to steal. In the Ten Commandments, God says in Exodus 20:15, “You shall not steal.” This indicates that stealing is against God's law and is considered a sin.
Restoration for Stolen Goods: The Bible teaches that when something is stolen, it should be restored or repaid. Exodus 22:1, says, "If someone steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it, they must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep." This emphasizes the importance of making things right when theft occurs.
God Restores What Is Stolen: The Bible also speaks of God's ability to restore what has been stolen by the enemy. Joel 2:25 says, “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.” This is a promise that even if the enemy steals from us, God can bring restoration, often in greater measure than what was lost.
Honesty and Integrity: The Bible encourages us to live with honesty and integrity, avoiding actions like stealing. Ephesians 4:28 says, “Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.” This teaches that instead of stealing, we should work hard and help others.
In life, we all face struggles and challenges that sometimes make us feel like we've lost something important. Maybe it’s our peace, joy, health, or a relationship we value. Other times, it could be an opportunity, a dream, or even our sense of purpose. Many people of faith believe that the “enemy”, often referred to as Satan or evil forces tries to steal these things from us. Others may feel that life’s hardships, mistakes, or personal weaknesses are responsible for what’s been taken.
Regardless of how we define the enemy, we don’t have to accept the loss. It is possible to take back what has been stolen from us. Through faith, action, and determination, we can reclaim our peace, joy, purpose, and more. This journey may not be easy, but it is worth the fight.
This article will explain how to identify what’s been stolen, recognize the enemy's tactics, and provide steps to take back what was lost. We will also explore three powerful stories of Bible characters David, Job, and Joseph who experienced great losses but saw even greater restoration.
Identifying What Has Been Stolen
Before we can take back what the enemy has stolen, we must first identify what is missing. Sometimes, the loss is obvious like losing a job, a relationship, or our health. Other times, the loss is less clear, but we feel it through sadness, frustration, or emptiness.
These are some of the common things the enemy may have stolen:
Peace: Peace is the calmness we feel inside, even when life is difficult. If we are always worried, anxious, or stressed, it could mean our peace has been taken away.
Joy: Joy is different from happiness. Happiness comes from things going well, but joy is a deep feeling that stays even in tough times. If we feel constantly sad or discouraged, we may have lost our joy.
Purpose: Purpose gives our lives meaning. It’s the reason we get up in the morning and work toward our goals. If we feel lost or without direction, we may have lost our sense of purpose.
Relationships: Conflicts, misunderstandings, and negative feelings can destroy friendships and family connections. If we have lost people we care about due to arguments or disagreements, our relationships may have been stolen by the enemy.
Faith: Faith is what keeps us strong and hopeful, especially in difficult times. If our faith has been weakened by challenges or disappointments, we may feel distant from God or our spiritual beliefs.
Opportunities: Missed chances, failures, or setbacks in our careers or personal lives can make us feel like opportunities have been stolen. We may feel stuck and unsure if we will ever succeed.
Taking a moment to reflect on these areas helps us understand what has been taken and what we need to reclaim.
Understanding the Enemy’s Strategy
Once we identify what has been stolen, it’s important to understand how the enemy works. Whether we think of the enemy as a spiritual force or the challenges of life, it uses several tactics to steal from us. Knowing these strategies helps us prepare to take back what’s ours.
Here are some common tactics the enemy uses
Fear: Fear is one of the most powerful tools the enemy uses. Fear holds us back and keeps us from moving forward. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, and fear of the unknown are all ways the enemy steals our peace, confidence, and opportunities.
Lies: The enemy often uses lies to make us believe things that aren’t true. Lies like “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never be happy,” or “No one loves me” steal our joy and sense of self-worth.
Temptation: The enemy sometimes tempts us with things that seem good but ultimately lead us off track. We may be tempted to chase after quick success, unhealthy relationships, or things that distract us from our true purpose.
Distraction: In today’s world, distractions are everywhere. Social media, entertainment, and unhealthy habits can keep us from focusing on what truly matters. When we are distracted, the enemy steals our time, energy, and opportunities.
Discouragement: The enemy uses life’s difficulties to make us feel discouraged. When we face setbacks or challenges, it’s easy to feel like giving up. Discouragement steals our motivation and prevents us from acting.
Understanding these tactics helps us fight back more effectively. Once we recognize the enemy’s strategy, we can work to reclaim what has been taken.
Steps to Take Back What Was Stolen
Taking back what the enemy has stolen requires faith, effort, and persistence. It’s not always an easy process, but with the right mindset and actions, it’s possible to experience restoration in all areas of life.
Here are seven steps to help you reclaim what’s yours:
Believe in Restoration
The first step to reclaiming what’s been lost is believing that it’s possible. If we don’t believe we can get back our peace, joy, or purpose, we won’t be motivated to fight for it. Having the right mindset is crucial. We must believe that our lives can be restored and that we deserve to experience peace, joy, and success.
For people of faith, this belief comes from trusting that God is on our side. God desires good things for us, and He promises to restore what has been lost. One powerful verse that encourages belief in restoration is found in Joel 2:25, where God says, “I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten.” This means that even lost time, missed opportunities, and broken dreams can be restored.
Pray for Restoration
For people of faith, prayer is a powerful tool in the process of restoration. Prayer helps us connect with God, seek His guidance, and ask for His help in restoring what’s been stolen. When we pray for restoration, we invite God to work in our lives and bring healing, peace, and joy back into our hearts.
In the Bible, we see many examples of people who prayed for restoration and received it. King David prayed to God when his enemies attacked and stole from him, and God answered by leading him to victory. Similarly, Job prayed in his time of loss, and God restored everything he had lost, even doubling his blessings.
Speak Truth Over Lies
John 8:32 says "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." The enemy often uses lies to keep us trapped in fear and doubt. To take back what was stolen, we must counter those lies with truth. For example, if the enemy says, “You’ll never be happy,” we need to remind ourselves of the truth: “I am worthy of happiness, and I will find joy again.” If the enemy says, “You’ll never succeed,” we can declare, “I have what it takes to achieve my goals.”
Speaking truth over lies can be done through positive affirmations, reading scriptures, or reminding ourselves of our strengths and abilities. The more we focus on truth, the weaker the lies become, and the more we regain our confidence and sense of purpose.
Fight with Faith
Restoration often requires a battle, a mental and spiritual one. We fight by standing strong in our faith and refusing to give up, even when things seem hopeless. Having faith means believing that what’s been stolen can be restored, even when we don’t yet see it. It gives us the strength to keep moving forward, no matter how tough the journey.
Faith is like a shield that protects us from fear, doubt, and discouragement. To keep our faith strong, it helps to surround ourselves with positive influences, read scriptures, and stay connected to God through prayer. A great Bible verse for "Fight with Faith" is Ephesians 6:16 NIV
Forgive and Let Go of the Past
Sometimes the enemy steals from us through conflict, betrayal, or hurt. Holding onto bitterness, anger, or resentment can prevent us from experiencing restoration. To take back our peace and joy, we need to forgive those who have hurt us and let go of the past.
Forgiving doesn’t mean excusing the wrongs or forgetting what happened. It means freeing ourselves from the weight of anger and choosing to move forward. When we forgive, we make room for healing and restoration.
Take Action
Believing in restoration, praying, and speaking the truth are important, but we also need to take action. If the enemy has stolen our opportunities, we need to seek new ones. If we’ve lost a relationship, we can take steps to reconcile or build new connections. If our health has been affected, we need to care for our bodies by eating well, exercising, and resting.
Taking action shows that we are serious about reclaiming what was stolen. Sometimes, this means setting new goals, making difficult decisions, or stepping out of our comfort zones. Whatever the action may be, it’s important to keep moving forward.
Stay Persistent
Taking back what was stolen doesn’t always happen quickly. It’s a process that requires persistence and patience. There may be times when it feels like nothing is changing, but persistence is key to success. Keep believing, praying, and taking action, even when progress seems slow.
Persistence means not letting setbacks stop you. Every small step forward is progress, and over time, those steps lead to restoration.
Three Bible Characters Who Experienced Restoration
The Bible provides many examples of people who faced great losses but saw incredible restoration. Let’s look at three key figures, David, Job, and Joseph, who experienced the enemy’s attacks but were able to take back what was stolen.
1. David Reclaiming What Was Lost
One of the most powerful examples of taking back what the enemy has taken is David's story in 1 Samuel 30. Upon returning to Ziklag, David and his men found that the Amalekites had attacked, burned, and captured their families. It was a devastating experience for David and his men.
By turning to God for guidance, David did not succumb to despair. Amalekites were the ones he prayed to pursue, and he asked God whether he should do so. He was told to pursue them by God. You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” Encouraged by this, David and his men set out to find the enemy. They caught up with the Amalekites, defeated them, and rescued their families. David not only reclaimed what was stolen, but he also took back spoils from the enemy.
David’s story teaches us the importance of seeking God’s guidance, taking action, and trusting that we can succeed in reclaiming what was lost.
2. Job Restoration After Great Loss
Job is another powerful example of restoration; this can be found in the book of Job. Job was a wealthy man who had everything, family, health, and possessions. However, the enemy, Satan, challenged Job’s faith, and Job lost everything. His children died, his wealth was taken, and his health deteriorated. Despite these terrible losses, Job remained faithful to God, refusing to curse Him or turn away.
Throughout his suffering, Job struggled with doubt and pain, but he continued to trust in God’s goodness. In the end, God restored Job’s life. Not only did Job’s health return, but he also received double the wealth he had lost. He had more children, and his life was filled with blessings once again.
Job’s story reminds us that even in our darkest times, God can bring restoration. It teaches us to remain faithful, even when we don’t understand why we are suffering.
3. Joseph From Prison to Power
Joseph’s life is a story of betrayal, hardship, and eventual restoration can be found in Genesis Chapters 37- 50. As a young man, Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. He was taken to Egypt, where he worked as a servant. Despite his faithfulness and hard work, Joseph was falsely accused of a crime and thrown into prison. For years, Joseph remained in prison, seemingly forgotten.
However, Joseph continued to trust in God, and eventually, he was allowed to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. His interpretation impressed Pharaoh so much that he made Joseph a ruler in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. Joseph’s wisdom helped Egypt prepare for a great famine, and when the famine came, Joseph’s family came to Egypt for help. Joseph forgave his brothers, and the family was reunited.
Joseph’s story shows us that even when we are betrayed and face long periods of hardship, God can restore us to a place of honour and purpose. Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers also teaches us the importance of letting go of bitterness.
Brief Overview of Joseph's Story
Genesis 37: Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers.
Genesis 39: Joseph works as a servant in Egypt and is falsely accused, leading to his imprisonment.
Genesis 40-41: Joseph interprets dreams while in prison and eventually interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, which leads to his rise to power.
Genesis 42-45: Joseph's brothers come to Egypt during the famine, and Joseph reveals his identity, forgives them, and the family is reunited.
Genesis 50: Joseph continues to show mercy and forgives his brothers after their father's death.
Conclusion
Taking back what was stolen is possible, Life’s challenges can sometimes make us feel like we’ve lost important things, our peace, joy, relationships, opportunities, or even our faith. The enemy uses fear, lies, and discouragement to keep us from reclaiming what’s been taken. However, we can take back what was stolen with faith, determination, and persistence.
By believing in restoration, praying, speaking truth over lies, fighting with faith, forgiving others, taking action, and staying persistent, we can experience the peace, joy, and purpose we were meant to have. The stories of David, Job, and Joseph remind us that even after great losses, restoration is possible. God is with us and He promises to help us reclaim what has been stolen.
Remember that victory is within reach, no matter what the enemy has taken from you. Keep believing, praying, and taking action, you can take back everything that was stolen and experience a life of restoration.
READ AND BE BLESSED
THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED BY DAZIA BIGGS
コメント