By Deacon G
How does lying, cheating and stealing creep into people’s lives?
When someone lies, their intent is to deceive by uttering words which are not the total truth. This can start at an early age when we’re asked, “Who ate the last cookie?” and we inevitably answer, “I don’t know,” while wiping the crumbs off of our faces. The little white lies become the kindling that fuels the flames of full lies in adulthood. Lies intended to mislead or defraud another are often carried into business lives.
Think of the ways people cheat. For some it starts early in school, where because of a lack of preparation or knowledge, they cheat on a test. As they begin to compete in sports they might break the rules in the game or seek an unfair advantage by turning to steroids. Later in married life, they cheat on their spouses seeking perhaps a better financial, physical, or emotional relationship than that to which they vowed to remain until death.
People steal to unjustly enrich themselves by taking property from others. This includes plagiarism or the taking of intellectual property and presenting it as their own.
Again the seeds of destruction are often planted early in school life when someone steals another student’s lunch money or books. They might even purchase someone’s term paper on the internet and turn it in for personal credit.
What are others seeking when they turn to these social evils? Aside from any physical property that they may acquire, often they act in search of self-esteem, a desire to feel competent or worthy. They are looking for reassurance that they belong or they are trying to prove to a parent, sibling or friend that they are capable of standing alone. When asked why they do it, sometimes they arrogantly proclaim, “Because I can.”
So for those who lie, cheat, or steal, what exactly is their “reward”? For the sake of a few moments of pleasure or consolation, they risk retribution that can sometimes last a lifetime when it is discovered that they have bent the socially acceptable rules. They become a failure.
Often the consequences of their actions are just the opposite of what they expected. Their road to Oz begins to crumble when finally they are caught in their misdeed. This can result in loss of friendships, respect, jobs, freedom, advancement opportunities, spouses and the ability to live the lifestyle they seek. They pay a price far greater than what they received in return.
Since many of these actions had their origin early in life, many heartaches could have been avoided had parents instilled basic beliefs in their children. These beliefs are God’s rules for our daily living that guide our relationships with God and with each other. He even gave us specific rules that relate to the evils above, saying “You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife… nor anything else that belongs to him.” (Exodus 20:13-17)
It’s never too late to get back on the right track. It all starts with attitude, one of love of neighbor. The next step is reconciliation, asking forgiveness of those hurt by previous actions. Where possible, restitution should be made. Finally, a resolution to avoid these actions in the future will put the sinner back on the road to respectability and isn’t respect what he was seeking in the first place?
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