Likely Fraud

The phone rings, and I go to pick it up. The screen notification states, “Likely Fraud.” I put the phone down, so thankful for the warning. I have avoided the pitfall of the scammer’s lure by not answering that call. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines fraud as “an intentional perversion of truth to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right.” StepBible defines fraud as deceit or treachery. Wouldn’t it be great if life notified us about every intentional perversion of truth or every incoming deception? We would save ourselves a lot of heartache and discontent if we were warned ahead of time about what to avoid, or where not to go, or with whom not to socialize. It would save us from the “likely fraud” of this world.

At the end of April, I attended a Greek/Hebrew Word Studies workshop and all of us in this class were introduced to StepBible.org. Step Bible is a Bible app to show you the original Greek and Hebrew meanings of words in the bible just a tap away. This helpful online tool taught me that the word fraud occurs 39 times in the Bible. Here are just a few mentions of fraud and its synonym deceit:

Genesis 27:35 “Your brother came deceitfully and has taken away your blessing.”

Psalm 5:6 “The Lord loathes the person of bloodshed and deceit.”

Proverbs 12:5 “The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.” Proverbs 12:20 “Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counsellors of peace have joy.” Hosea 12:7 “A merchant, in whose hands are fraudulent balances, loves to exploit.”

Daniel 8:25 “And through his shrewdness he will make deceit a success by his influence; And he will make himself great in his own mind, And he will destroy many while they are at ease.”

Yes, the Bible directly tells us what is fraud or deceit and, therefore, what God abhors. I am also thankful that God teaches us how to live a life that is holy and righteous according to His Word, His precepts, His commandments, and His instructions.

During 2022 our Wednesday Morning Growth Group studied all 150 chapters of the Book of Psalms using Praising God Through Prayer and Worship, a book of praise and prayers and songs. The practical value of Psalms is so amazing that I have intentionally read this book over and over again, soaking in all of its lessons for life. The Book of Psalms serves as counsellor when I need knowledge, wisdom, and understanding breathed from the Lord God. I learned that I can share my highest joys, deepest sorrows, and my questions and fears with the Lord God just as David and the other psalmists did as they poured out their hearts to God in prayer and worship.

From the very start, Psalm 1 brings us scripture to read and heed to avoid the fraud of this world:

Psalm 1:1a “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,

Nor stand in the path of sinners,

Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!”

Well, that is pretty straightforward, don’t you think? The word of God is telling you that great blessings will come to those:

1) who do not walk/proceed in the counsel/advice of the wicked,

2) who do not stand/establish themselves in the path/lifestyle of sinners,

3) who do not sit/remain in the seat/dwelling location of those who scoff/mock the Lord God.

Do you see the downward spiral from walking according to the opinions of a wicked person all the way down to living a lifestyle exactly like those who make a mockery of the Lord? Oh my! God’s Word makes it clear: “DO NOT WALK,” “DO NOT STAND,” and “DO NOT SIT” in the counsel, path, or seat of the WICKED. In other words, avoid the fraud of this world.

The amazing news is that there is a way to avoid fraud and live a blessed and happy life! Read further. Psalm 1:1b:

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.”

I love how God teaches us with simple and direct instructions.

To be blessed, God says:

1) take delight/pleasure/longing for the law/precepts/instruction of the Lord and

2) meditate/ponder over His teachings day and night. You will discover blessing/joy in reading and meditating upon scripture. “Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and delight of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16).

The Challenge for you and me today is three-fold:

1) open your Bibles and read God’s Word,

2) then take delight in it and ponder it throughout the day and evening.

3) Repeat, thanking God for leading you in His righteousness.

Remember, God has given us everything we need to know in His Word about detecting the fraud of our world. More importantly, God teaches us even more about living a life of godliness, giving praise, honour, and glory to the Lord God!

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord, Praise the Lord!” Psalm 150:6