First lets define what I mean by cheating:
- to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud
- to influence or lead by deceit, trick, or artifice
- to practice fraud or trickery
- to violate rules dishonestly
I do not understand why people must cheat when it comes to anything in their lives. The other day at work, there was a nice discussion around people having affairs with coworkers. I just sat their and listened and from what I gathered, these people did not agree with those that were cheating on their spouse, but yet everyone of them knew about it. So it is obvious that those that were cheating/having affairs, really did not care if others knew about it or not. In fact, it was almost expected that if you went to this place, that you would be involved in some relationship that was inappropriate.
Could they people have done something? Yes, but at what expense? This would have taken a great deal of courage to confront someone that may be above you, because your may be fired.
This got me to thinking of other areas where people cheat besides on their spouses or those they are in a relationship with. Do they cheat or lie:
- On their taxes
- About their accomplishments
- On tests or projects
- Others to get money
- On games
If you do an internet search on cheating, it seems that everyone only associates this with infidelity. The reality is that there are so many more things that cheating is related too besides cheating on someone. When you look at these, it basically seems like today’s world is making excuses versus making these people take responsibility. In other words, it is as though cheating has become acceptable part of our lives.
So what does the Bible say about cheating? If you do an internet search for “Cheating and the Bible”, you will find many versus and for some what is said will make no sense. However, I think James said is best:
James 4:17 English Standard Version (ESV)
17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
I love reading James. In this book of the Bible, everything is pretty much laid out and is said in a straight forward way. There is no interpretation when reading James, but it can also come across as being very harsh.
From the book of Galatians we have the following:
Galatians 6:7-8 New International Version (NIV)
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
This got me to thinking about the game of Survivor which is the ultimate Cheating and Lying show that ever existed and people just do not understand how this influences their everyday lives. There was a reason I hated this show and I am starting to understand more and more why that is and why I hate other shows that are like it.
Do not come back and say that it is just a TV show, I know that is true, but I have seen peoples attitude change when watching any television show. I am not going to say that everyone is affected in the same way, but you must know you will react. Take for example the Soap Operas that were on all the time and people going up and hitting the actor or actress for what they did on the show as though it were real life.
The point is that you can very easily be influenced if you are not careful about the direction of influence. You have to set your focus on either God’s way or man’s way, but you cannot do both. I pray that you will make the right decisions.