When is it okay to break the rules?

Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD (Levitcus 19:37).

When is it okay to steal? When is it permissible to lie? Under what circumstances are you permitted to cheat?

Following the destruction brought about by Hurricane Katrina, we saw people looting stores in New Orleans. News commentators said that some of the looting was understandable—after all, people needed food and water. But I wonder how the owners of those looted businesses felt? Did they expect to return to their emptied stores and find signed IOUs from every person who helped himself? Or did those storeowners feel like they were victimized twice—once by the storm, then again by their neighbors?

Does a tough situation give you permission to break the rules? If your wife grows cold and distant, are you justified in starting an affair? If you desperately need a good paying job, is it okay to lie on your job application? Do circumstances change what is right and what is wrong?

God’s answer is simple—NO. There is never a time when a being in a hard spot makes it okay to break God’s laws. He has told us what He expects: you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not lie. God said, Keep all my decrees and all my laws and follow them. I am the LORD.

It all boils down to trust. God said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus spoke these words of promise: do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the unbelievers pursue all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:31-33).

Do you believe Jesus? Do you trust God to keep His word? If you do, then there is no reason to lie, cheat or steal, because the Lord will make sure that your needs are taken care of. Psalm 145 verse 13 says, The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.

The ways of God are good and right and just; there is no reason to ever set them aside.