I’m TIRED of Being Scammed!
This past week was apparently “National Scammer Week.” Between my wife and me, no less than four separate scams were perpetrated, and yes, we bit on two of them. The one Nancy bit didn’t cost us a dime, but we did report it to authorities as it is obvious someone has some of our information! The other I bit, and it cost us a considerable amount of money. While we have reported it and feel rather confident that we will get our money back, these scammers are very good salespeople!
Scamming is very prevalent in our present society. Sadly, these thieves have nothing more to do with their time than to LIE so they can STEAL from unsuspecting folks like us. Let’s face it: their spiel is well-rehearsed and presented very convincingly. That’s why several of us have been deceived and accepted their lies as truth. Further, at the time, we felt there was no way to check out their stories and because of their abilities to present just enough TRUTH to make it believable, we find ourselves neck-deep in debt and trouble!
The same scam has been perpetuated for hundreds of years regarding God’s Word. While the content varies from religious conviction to religious conviction, the focus is the same: to get you to believe they are right, the best, and that others are in error and you, therefore, need them! They use just enough TRUTH to make their spiel believable, but when they’ve captured the unsuspecting soul, they have him/her seemingly bound to a deadly contract that condemns their soul!
Let’s be plain about this reality. Notice Paul’s warning to Timothy: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4: 1 – 3) Additionally, note Peter’s warning: “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 3: 1 – 3) Here are the warnings in plain sight, yet many ignore them thinking their souls are fully protected from any scam, malware, spyware, trojans, or other means of subtle yet deadly infections that kill the soul!
Spiritually, the protection is as follows: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 21) Without the book, chapter, and verse for all we say and do (Colossians 3:17) we have no authority to participate in the action. Further, as Christians, our lives are no longer directed by the whims or even orders of mankind. Our lives are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:1-4) Because of this union in Christ Jesus, we must let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16). This comes from studying the word of God (2 Timothy 2:14 – 26), knowing that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). We find our souls protected by the wearing of the authorized armor (Ephesians 6:10 – 17) and by being trained the word of God (Ephesians 2:10) we learn to quickly recognize the error of the wicked and avoid its dangers!
Make no mistake: these spiritual scammers are as professional in their methods of deception as are those who scam us in material matters. Jesus warned of “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). We must remember it takes but a little error to ruin all the truth (1 Corinthians 5:6; Galatians 5:9). We simply MUST increase our protection against the wiles of the devil and all his subsidiaries that desire nothing more than the eternal damnation of our souls!
Since this happened to me last Tuesday, my money was finally returned, but not without vigorously pursuing its return! Even then, the scamming company lied to me, refused confirmation of any discussion, and when I finally did receive a “reference number” from them, the date was in error! Nonetheless, it has been refunded and for that, I rejoice!
Just as surely, the spiritual scammers reach deep into the recesses of your soul and forcefully withdrawal from your allegiance to God. It isn’t the end of your soul just yet – but you must vigorously pursue its return to Christ and His kingdom by repentance and prayer (Acts 8:18-24; 1 John 1: 5 – 10). Yes, as I had to admit, the initial mistake was mine: I allowed myself to be scammed into doing something foolish! That’s what sin is – accepting the scam as being something of value (James 1: 13 – 16). So, once you admit the fault is your own, you’re one step closer to regaining your loss. And make no mistake: your spiritual loss is the Devil’s gain! The ONLY way to gain a return from such a loss is to learn your lesson, REPENT and PRAY GOD FOR FORGIVENESS. Humbling, to be sure, but it will teach us to never make that mistake again!