Cheating

I was thinking about the concept of cheating this week. As children of God, we are called to be honest and trust worthy. Satan, on the other hand, is the deceiver we are told. Why then do we as humans teeter on that edge?

When we play games with friends, we play for fun yet the competitive nature looks for an advantage, even if not squarely in line with having fun. I remember how as a little girl, Heather 'always' beat Grammy at her games, but it wasn't Heather who cheated, it was Grammy (with good intentions). When playing solitaire, most people will cheat to win - because nobody is looking at or watching them.

How does this relate to every day life? To God's word? Many tend to look at life's issues as a game of solitaire, thinking it's o.k. to fudge a little if it appears that nobody is looking. Hidden snacks while dieting, questionable deductions on tax filings, borrowed quotes in school papers, and inflated personal deeds (as well as how big the fish that got away really was) are just a few examples.

The only real catch; is we are seen and will be held accountable for all of our actions. God sees and will judge us in everything we think and do. We in turn are called to be holy - like God is, even in our conversation and deeds(1 Peter 1:15-16).

Reflecting upon this, I know I have a ways to go if I want to be holy, and I really do. This is the constant struggle of mankind between good (Godly nature) and evil (human nature inflenced by Satan). I know where I want to be, it's the getting there that is difficult.

It is comforting to remember that God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what He gives us the ability to resist and escape(1 Cor. 10:13). When I feel the pull to 'cheat', I know that it is my choice - not something the devil made me do. God is bigger than the Devil and myself combined. I need to learn to tap into His strength to be more like Him in all things.

In conclusion, "cheaters never prosper" seems appropriate. Just like in solitaire, cheating may give you a temporal victory, but for eternal rewards, we must be found to be blameless. Only God can bring that about in our lives.