Apicontent

“I’m married and attracted to another person to whom I’m not married.”

This is a comment I hear with increasing frequency coming from both men and women, Christian and non-Christian.

I’ve had individuals who can’t stand the sight of their married partner – much less respond physically – describe a torrid physical affair with someone else – sometimes even a stranger – who is not nearly as attractive or personable as the marriage partner. The new involvement is simply an expression of resentment or retaliation. Surely it is not an expression of the love of God.

Physical response is obviously not the problem. It’s a matter of the spirit … a matter of the will, not the body. Granted, there are temptations everywhere. When haven’t there been? After all, half the people in the world are women, the other half of the people are men. When you become a wife, all the men out there don’t disappear. Nor do the women disappear when a man gets married. They are there … and are still interesting and attractive.

Beautiful women and virile men were God’s idea, you know. You can enjoy the beauty and fellowship of both sexes without lusting after them. You can have many close friends of both sexes. Granted, these relationships sometimes are hard to handle.

Marriage involves a commitment to one person, even though other people are still there.

A child of God, with the love of God in their heart, who means to cooperate with their spouse, and who means to love, honor, and cherish their partner won’t have a sex problem – either with their partner or with someone else. However, there are conditions: You must take the Bible seriously and you must want to please your partner.

What if your partner gives you a cold shoulder in spite of your willingness to love them unconditionally? Stay available. Desire to do your part. Remember, your commitment is to God and does not depend on your partner’s response. Read God’s Word and ask Him to show you how to strengthen your marriage. He will sustain you. Love endures. Trust God to show you how to remain pure.

[Dr. Henry Brandt shares insights from various people he counseled. The names and certain details in these true case histories have been changed to protect each person’s identity and privacy.]

Immorality

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. (Colossians 3:5, NLT2)

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor–not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, NLT2)

We must not engage in sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 10:8, NLT2)

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures. (Galatians 5:19, NLT2)

Let there be no sexual immorality among you. (Ephesians 5:3, NLT2)

Lust

But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:28, NLT2)

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16, NKJV)

For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:16, NIV)

Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. (Ephesians 4:22, NLT2)

Turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God. (Titus 2:12, NLT2)

Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. (1 Peter 2:11, NKJV)

Premarital Sex

You can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:13, NLT2)

Each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:2, NIV)

We must not engage in sexual immorality. (1 Corinthians 10:8, NLT2)

Abstain… from sexual immorality. (Acts 15:29, NKJV)

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications. (Matthew 15:19, NASB95)

For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality. (Mark 7:21, NLT2)

When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. (1 Corinthians 5:9, NLT2)

Adultery

You have heard the commandment that says, “You must not commit adultery.” But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye–even your good eye–causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (Matthew 5:27-29, NLT2)

You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14, NASB95)

You shall not commit adultery. (Deuteronomy 5:18, NKJV)

A man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery. (Matthew 5:32, NLT2)

Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery–unless his wife has been unfaithful. (Matthew 19:9, NLT2)

You shall not commit adultery. (Matthew 19:18, NKJV)

Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she herself divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery. (Mark 10:11-12, NASB95)

You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery. (Mark 10:19, NKJV)

Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. (Luke 16:18, NIV)

You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? (Romans 2:22, NLT2)

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures. (Galatians 5:19, NLT2)

They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. (2 Peter 2:14, NLT2)

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. (Hebrews 13:4, NLT2)

Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no-one who touches her will go unpunished. (Proverbs 6:27-29, NIV)

Sleeping with another man’s wife will cost you your life. (Proverbs 6:26, NLT2)

Drink water from your own well–share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers. Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an immoral woman, or fondle the breasts of a promiscuous woman? (Proverbs 5:15-20, NLT2)

Because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:2, NLT2)

Pornography

You can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:13, NLT2)

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, NLT2)

Say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:12, NIV)

God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (1 Thessalonians 4:7, NIV)

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. (1 John 2:16, NASB95)

Homosexuality

Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin. (Leviticus 18:22, NLT2)

If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. (Leviticus 20:13, NIV)

God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. (Romans 1:26-27, NLT2)

Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9, NIV)

Immodesty

I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. (1 Timothy 2:9-10, NLT2)

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:3-4, NLT2)

Purity

Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8, NIV)

Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. (2 Timothy 2:22, NLT2)

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24, NIV)

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. (Galatians 5:16, NLT2)

Consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11, NLT2)

Keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. (1 Peter 2:11, NLT2)

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. (Hebrews 13:4, NLT2)

You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. (1 Peter 1:22, NLT2)

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8, NLT2)

God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. (1 Thessalonians 4:7, NIV)

You can’t say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:13, NLT2)

Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, NLT2)

I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do. (1 Timothy 2:9-10, NLT2)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. (Titus 2:11-13, NLT2)

God’s will is for you to be holy, so stay away from all sexual sin. Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor–not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, NLT2)

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. (Romans 8:12-13, NLT2)

There are many awful ways that the gift of sexuality can be perverted and turned into something degrading and shameful. But the bottom line is that the only place where sexual activity is acceptable is between a man and a woman who are married to each other. As hard as it may seem, sexual abstinence is the requirement for anyone who is not married. And for married couples, sexual attention can be directed only toward your spouse.

Harder than these restrictions are the costs of sexual misbehavior. Guilt. Shame. Abuse. Disease. Broken marriages. Even criminal charges.

God loves us and wants to preserve us from such suffering. His prescriptions of sexual abstinence before marriage and of fidelity within marriage protect us from harm and at the same time offer married couples the freedom and enjoyment of sex as it was meant to be. Most of all, they show the way to holiness in relation to that important part of our life known as sexuality.

We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.

You may find yourself saying, “But I just can’t! I’ve tried and I can’t stop my compulsive immorality.” You are right. You can’t stop sinning in this way—on your own. It takes the supernatural intervention of God. And He is glad to give that intervention if you will ask for His help.

Purity is a beautiful thing. Its blessings exceed any brief pleasure that sexual immorality might offer. We pray that you will take God’s hand and let Him lead you into purity.

[The above article is an extract from Chapter 14 of Soul Prescription by Bill Bright and Henry Brandt.]

Are you struggling with some type of dissatisfaction, such as envy, complaining, or greed? We have outlined a five-step process to help you change and heal in this area of your life. Take all the time you need with each of the steps in this article.

Step 1: Adopt a Correct View of God

Flaws in your view of God can easily produce dissatisfaction in your life. For example, you may have made the mistake of looking to God as your own personal genie who should grant your every wish. On the other hand, you may see Him as some miserly old hermit who would not give a bone to a dog. Either viewpoint would greatly affect your ability to be content and satisfied.

God is sovereign, and He is in control of your life.

With my great strength and powerful arm I made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of Mine to anyone I choose. (Jeremiah 27:5)

God is faithful. He will always do what is best for us.

So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him so He can show you His love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for His help. (Isaiah 30:18)

Through searching the Scriptures, learn more about God as Sovereign Lord. As you do so, consider how flaws in your view of God might be at the root of your problem of dissatisfaction. Ask God to help you understand Him as He really is.

Step 2: Revise Your False Beliefs

The belief that we deserve everything we want and more does not line up with God’s Holy Word. The belief that happiness comes with possessions or position is in direct opposition to God’s truth. Such examples of false beliefs about people and life can fuel dissatisfaction. Ask yourself the following questions:

Do you believe you would be happy if you had more money?

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Do you believe you would be happy if you looked different?

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. (1 Peter 3:3–4)

Do you believe you would be happy if you had a better job?

Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. (1 Corinthians 7:17)

These questions reveal false beliefs that breed discontentment. Other such false beliefs are possible. Spend time searching the Word for its perspective on contentment. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where your thinking has fallen off track and then accept the truth.

Step 3: Repent of Your Sin

Are you ready to turn away from dissatisfaction? Begin by specifically identifying the way you tend to be dissatisfied (envy, ingratitude, or whatever). Next, pray a prayer of confession to God. If you wish, you may use the one below, inserting the name of your sin of dissatisfaction in the blank.

God, I know that everything I have is a gift from You. Yet I have been dissatisfied through __________. I realize that my discontentment is born from a selfish and sinful heart, and I am truly sorry for my attitude. Please forgive me and wash all the discontentment out of my heart. Make me able to put __________ behind me for good and learn to be content. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

If you have harmed others with your sin, apologize to them. Seek reconciliation and offer restitution where appropriate.

Step 4: Defend against Spiritual Attacks

Remember, you must always be on your guard against attack from the three enemies of your soul: the world, the flesh, and the Devil. They will conspire to draw you back to your old habits of dissatisfaction.

• The world’s value system perpetuates dissatisfaction as it preaches, “Always want more and better.” Expose yourself to God’s truth to the point that you have fully understood that a life of contentment is the best way to live.
• Your flesh, or sinful nature, will continue to crave its old objects of desire, whether it is more money, possessions, or people. Tell yourself every day, “My flesh is dead. I live by the Spirit now.” Rely on the Holy Spirit for help in every temptation.
• Satan uses our neighbor’s standard of living to breed discontent in our hearts. Put on “salvation as your helmet” (Ephesians 6:17) for protection from poisonous thoughts of envy.

Keep on the lookout for any temptation that would draw you back into your old ways of dissatisfaction. Seek God’s strength to defend against spiritual attacks. His strength is sufficient.

Step 5: Flee Temptation

We are told in James 1:14 that the source of temptation lies in “our own desires.” The desire for more, or for something different and new, is a catalyst for dissatisfaction. This desire must be kept under control over the long term by taking certain precautions.

Focus on your relationship with God.

Do not be satisfied with a brief quiet time in the morning and a trip to church once a week. Develop a devotional life that spreads into your whole existence. As you keep your thoughts on God and His kingdom, instead of the things of this world, you will be less susceptible to temptations of dissatisfaction.

Latch on to God’s promises.

Find verses in the Bible that are meaningful to you in your battle against dissatisfaction. Memorize these verses and recall them whenever temptation strikes. Here are two verses for your consideration:

If God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. (Matthew 6:30)

The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. (Psalm 84:11)

Establish safeguards.

Make changes in your life that will keep you away from the most common temptations that have produced dissatisfaction for you. Be creative, and come up with as many changes as will help you. Then, don’t forget to implement them!

Consider these examples to spark your own ideas:

• If you find yourself envying something another person possesses, immediately thank God for one blessing He has given you.
• If you tend to be greedy, volunteer at a homeless shelter or some other ministry to the poor that will help you see how comfortable you really are.
• Ask a trusted Christian friend to hold you accountable in your commitment to not be so dissatisfied.

Expect victory.

Remember that success in defeating the habitual sin of dissatisfaction can be found in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. He is always working in you to make you more like Jesus, which includes being content. Yield to Him daily in anticipation of deliverance from the crippling habit of dissatisfaction.

Ryan was a star athlete and the top student in his high school class. When he received his diploma, he was disappointed. He had thought there would be more satisfaction than he experienced. He entered Harvard College and received recognition and satisfaction from playing on the varsity football team. In the classroom, he was a top student. But when he received his diploma, he was disappointed not to experience satisfaction from this accomplishment. So he looked eagerly to law school at Yale, completing that program with top honors.

Once again, receiving his diploma left him with a vague feeling of emptiness and the thought that there must be more to life than this. When he received an invitation to join the prestigious law firm of his choice, his career was off to a good start. Then he and his wife designed and built their dream house. They looked forward to the day they would take possession; when that day came, there was no joy. There was an emptiness that career and marriage could not fill. “When that day came,” he said, “we realized there had to be more to life than this.”

Then Ryan met a businessman with a serenity about him that caught Ryan’s attention. In a conversation over lunch one day, Ryan asked the business many why he seemed so content with life. The businessman told Ryan that it was only through Jesus Christ that his life had meaning and purpose.

That day Ryan found the flaw in depending on activities and events; they eventually come to an end and leave you empty. Ryan found contentment when he found a relationship with Jesus. That relationship guided him into a new appreciation for life and all it has to offer. God will meet you when you seek Him!

[Dr. Henry Brandt shares insights from various people he counseled. The names and certain details in these true case histories have been changed to protect each person’s identity and privacy.]

Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! (Proverbs 21:26, NLT2)

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

Do not take money from anyone by force, or accuse anyone falsely, and be content with your wages. (Luke 3:14, NASB95)

I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. (Philippians 4:11, NLT2)

Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (1 Timothy 6:6-7, KJV)

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV)

Envy

Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. (Job 5:2, NIV)

Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways. (Proverbs 3:31, NASB95)

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)

Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD. (Proverbs 23:17, NLT2)

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (Proverbs 27:4, KJV)

Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. (Psalm 37:1, NLT2)

Don’t envy evil people or desire their company. (Proverbs 24:1, NLT2)

Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked. (Proverbs 24:19, NASB95)

You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? (1 Corinthians 3:3, NIV)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV)

Envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21, NLT2)

Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:26, NKJV)

Coveting

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor. (Exodus 20:17, NASB95)

Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! (Psalm 119:36, NLT2)

All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. (Proverbs 21:26, NIV)

Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness. (Jeremiah 22:17, NKJV)

When you want a piece of land, you find a way to seize it. When you want someone’s house, you take it by fraud and violence. You cheat a man of his property, stealing his family’s inheritance. (Micah 2:2, NLT2)

What sorrow awaits you who build big houses with money gained dishonestly! You believe your wealth will buy security, putting your family’s nest beyond the reach of danger. (Habakkuk 2:9, NLT2)

Do not covet. (Romans 13:9, NIV)

People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. (2 Timothy 3:2, NASB95)

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV)

Complaining

Do not grumble. (1 Corinthians 10:10, NIV)

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. (Philippians 2:14-15, NASB95)

Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. (James 5:9, NASB95)

These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. (Jude 1:16, NLT2)

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9, NIV)

Stop grumbling among yourselves. (John 6:43, NIV)

Ingratitude

The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did not plant. When you have eaten your fill in this land, be careful not to forget the LORD, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 6:11-12, NLT2)

Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:17-18, NLT2)

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. (Romans 1:21, NLT2)

People will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. (2 Timothy 3:2, NLT2)

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. (Psalm 50:23, NLT2)

Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. (Colossians 3:17, NLT2)

Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, NLT2)

Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. (Hebrews 12:28, NLT2)

Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:20, NKJV)

Theft

A thief must certainly make restitution. (Exodus 22:3, NIV)

You shall not steal. (Deuteronomy 5:19, NASB95)

I, the LORD, love justice. I hate robbery and wrong doing. (Isaiah 61:8, NLT2)

Do not steal. (Matthew 19:18, NIV)

For from within, out of men’s hearts, come … theft. (Mark 7:21, NIV)

You know the commandments: Do not steal. (Luke 18:20, NKJV)

You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steal?(Romans 2:21, NASB95)

Thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10, NIV)

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. (Ephesians 4:28, NLT2)

You shall not steal. (Exodus 20:15, NKJV)

Greed

Greed brings grief to the whole family. (Proverbs 15:27, NLT2)

Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! (Psalm 119:36, NLT2)

Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. (Proverbs 1:19, NLT2)

A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty. (Proverbs 22:16, NLT2)

Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit. In the blink of an eye wealth disappears, for it will sprout wings and fly away like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:4-5, NLT2)

Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. (Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV)

From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain. (Jeremiah 6:13, NIV)

My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. (Ezekiel 33:31, NIV)

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. (Ephesians 5:3, NLT2)

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. (Romans 1:29, NIV)

But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy. (1 Corinthians 5:11, NIV)

Thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:10, NIV)

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve. (1 Peter 5:2, NIV)

For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.(Mark 7:21-23, NLT2)

Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own. (Luke 12:15, NLT2)

You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. (Ephesians 5:5, NLT2)

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. (Colossians 3:2-6, NLT2)

Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

Contentment

True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. (1 Timothy 6:6, NLT2)

Be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NIV)

A heart at peace gives life to the body. (Proverbs 14:30, NIV)

Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10, NIV)

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:12-13, NIV)

God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. (2 Corinthians 9:8, NLT2)

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. (Psalm 84:11, NLT2)