The Weekly Encourager – June 17, 2015 – Scammed!

I've been scammed! The Bible says, “if you think you stand, take heed lest you fall,” and I fell. For decades, I have prided myself on my excellent consumer skills, always researching items and shopping carefully in order to be the best steward of our family's funds. People call me for advice on how and where to shop, but this time I was tired and distracted and in the middle of a project when a man came offering to trim our trees.

Normally I just say, “not interested” and shut the door, but this time I was outside anyway chopping bushes, so I asked for an estimate and listened to his pitch. His wife wrote down the estimate; then he said if I paid a deposit up front, they could come back that afternoon and get the work done in the same day. I felt so comfortable with them and so tempted by the idea of crossing that chore off my list! I stupidly wrote him a check, without checking on anything. Off he went. At the appointed time, when he didn't return, I called him and he said he was running late due to another job. The phone calls and excuses continued. I went online to try to check him out, and I couldn't find him anywhere. At dinner time, I contacted my bank to stop the check, but I was too late – that check had been cashed minutes after I wrote it!

You know me: everything is a spiritual lesson. I've been preparing to lead a Bible study on Idolatry, and my preparations have included the topic of Satan's ways and wiles. After realizing that I had been scammed, my first thought was, this is exactly how Satan works! He comes when I'm not looking for him, when my body is tired and my mind is occupied. He comes with no listing, no references, no proof of insurance, and a lot of smooth talk. He looks nice, and he sounds trustworthy. It's just so easy to give in. But beware! The devil asks for a deposit before he delivers the goods.

Satan uses our idols to trip us up. For example, I value efficiency and productivity way too much, so the devil planted the thought that I could get two jobs done at once (the tree work could get done while I did other jobs, a win-win). Also, I have a lot of pride in my ability to read people to determine who is telling the truth. On top of that, I'm quite proud that I never get sucked in to scams. I'm impatient with friends who fall for these lies. Cue the eye-rolls. Oops! Satan already holds the gun. Having idols in our lives is like handing him the ammunition! That ammo is custom-made to fit into the gun aimed directly at our hearts!

God says that when we sin, we exchange the truth for a lie. Every time we sin, we've been scammed. The world, the flesh, and the devil can trick us if we're not on our guard and wearing full armor. Sometimes there is great regret for our sin, so we try to go back and fix things, but it's too late. Like the check I wrote to the tree guy, it's already been deposited in someone else's account, and I can never get it back. Satan has no intention of keeping his promises.

Thanks be to God that He offers salvation by grace! Were I to try to get to heaven on my own ability, I would be lost forever. Even in an area in which I have “very little” temptation, an area that I am “good” in, with “skills taught from childhood and honed over many years,” I can still fail! I don't want to even mention the areas in which I know I am weak and how I fail there!

In the case of the tree guy, I have reported him to the local police. They may or may not be able to help get my money back; they made no promises. I need to remember that Satan provides no refunds if we want out, but God provides redemption, restoration, and peace if we turn to Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

God alone makes promises that He can keep. Like sheep, we need to listen for the voice of the Shepherd. We may lose a battle, but Christ has won the war. The devil is defeated. He will be destroyed. Check references! Know the Bible, especially as it relates to our particular areas of struggle. If God doesn't talk to us, someone else will. Encourage other members of the flock by referring to what the Lord has done for you. Be a character reference for the Lord by testifying of His honesty, fairness, goodness, and power to get the job done. “He is able, doubt no more.” Instead of being scammed, let's be sanctified.

God is faithful and true,
j

Copyright 2015 Janet A. Marney