Cheats
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In the biblical context, the term "cheats" refers to individuals who engage in deceitful practices, often for personal gain, at the expense of others. The Bible addresses the issue of cheating in various forms, including dishonest scales, false testimony, and deceitful behavior, all of which are condemned as contrary to God's righteous standards.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of cheating, particularly in the context of commerce and justice. Leviticus 19:35-36 commands, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah, and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This passage underscores the importance of integrity in business dealings, reflecting God's desire for fairness and honesty among His people.

Proverbs also speaks against deceitful practices. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse highlights the moral repugnance of cheating in God's eyes and His pleasure in honesty.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the theme of honesty and integrity continues. Jesus Himself addresses the issue of deceit in various teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, saying, "But let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one" (Matthew 5:37). This teaching underscores the value of straightforwardness and the avoidance of deceitful speech.

The Apostle Paul also warns against deceitful behavior. In Ephesians 4:25 , he writes, "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." Paul encourages believers to live in truth, reflecting the unity and integrity expected within the Christian community.

Examples of Cheats in the Bible

Several biblical narratives illustrate the consequences of cheating. One notable example is the account of Jacob and Esau. Jacob, whose name means "supplanter" or "deceiver," cheats his brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-40). Although Jacob eventually becomes a patriarch of Israel, his deceit leads to significant familial strife and personal challenges.

Another example is Ananias and Sapphira in the early church. In Acts 5:1-11, this couple sells a piece of property and deceitfully withholds part of the proceeds while claiming to donate the entire amount to the apostles. Their dishonesty results in their sudden deaths, serving as a stark warning against deceit within the Christian community.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible's condemnation of cheating is rooted in the character of God, who is described as a God of truth and justice. Cheating undermines trust, damages relationships, and disrupts the social order that God intends for His people. Believers are called to reflect God's character by living lives marked by honesty and integrity.

The biblical call to avoid cheating extends beyond mere avoidance of deceitful actions; it encompasses a heart attitude that values truth and fairness. As followers of Christ, believers are encouraged to pursue righteousness in all areas of life, recognizing that their actions reflect their relationship with God and their witness to the world.
Library

Treats of the Same.
... The Soul seeing that the skilful Director despises these cheats, if the Spirit be
evil, withdraws the feigned affection, which it shewed him, and endeavours by ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xii treats of the.htm

Self-Destruction
... But they were cheats and liars, and so they had given place to the devil, the father
of lies: and now he had taken possession of them in spite of themselves ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon viii self-destruction.htm

Treatise xi. Exhortation to Martyrdom, Addressed to Fortunatus.
... if unskilled, if not careful and watching with his whole heart; he circumvents him
if ignorant, he deceives him incautious, he cheats him inexperienced. ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise xi exhortation to martyrdom.htm

Depravity Lies at the Bottom of Demon-Worship.
... Justin, and indeed on me, the punishment of death, as being an evil, because by
proclaiming the truth he convicted the philosophers of being gluttons and cheats ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xix depravity lies at the.htm

The Unjust Steward
... When he is found out and about to be dismissed, he cheats his master still further,
by telling his debtors to cheat, and so wins favour with them. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xlii the unjust steward.htm

Christianity and Business
... It is the story of a steward who cheats his master, and of debtors who are in collusion
with the fraud, and of a master praising his servant even while he ...
/.../peabody/mornings in the college chapel/lvii christianity and business.htm

One Seed and Diverse Soils
... God never cheats men by a revelation that does not reveal, and the very hiding
is meant to stimulate to a search which cannot be vain. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/one seed and diverse soils.htm

How John Tyrannized Over the Rest; and what Mischiefs the Zealots ...
... of their fear of him, and others out of their good-will to him; for he was a shrewd
man to entice men to him, both by deluding them and putting cheats upon them ...
/.../chapter 7 how john tyrannized.htm

The Way to the City
... The cup that sin reaches to a man, though the wine moveth itself aright and is very
pleasant to look at before being tasted, cheats with methylated spirits. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the way to the city.htm

He Thus Proceeds to a Magnificent Discourse of the Interpretation ...
... For in such a case the nature of the animal is one thing, and that of the material,
which cheats the sight by mere colour and form, is another. ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 12 he thus proceeds.htm

Thesaurus
Cheats (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Cheats (1 Occurrence). Leviticus 6:2 "If anyone
sins, and commits a trespass against Yahweh, and deals ...
/c/cheats.htm - 6k

Chebar (8 Occurrences)

/c/chebar.htm - 10k

Bite (13 Occurrences)
... a machine has upon another. 16. (n.) A cheat; a trick; a fraud. 17. (n.)
A sharper; one who cheats. 18. (n.) A blank on the edge ...
/b/bite.htm - 12k

Cheating (1 Occurrence)

/c/cheating.htm - 6k

Cheat (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One who cheats or deceives; an impostor; a deceiver; a cheater. 3. (n.)
A troublesome grass, growing as a weed in grain fields; -- called also chess. ...
/c/cheat.htm - 8k

Sharper (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A person who bargains closely, especially, one
who cheats in bargains; a swindler; also, a cheating gamester. ...
/s/sharper.htm - 8k

Resources
What are valid reasons for breaking up with a boyfriend/girlfriend? | GotQuestions.org

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