Deceit is in the heart of those who plot evil (Proverbs 12:20)
Two scheming swindlers board a train that runs between New York and Boston and choose someone who looks rich as their victim. While sitting in front of the person, they invited him to join them playing cards. It wasn't long before this unsuspecting victim had owed one of the players hundreds of dollars.
The winner agreed to receive a check, but upon receiving the check he seemed to be reprimanded by his conscience and tore up the check. "I never thought you would lose so much money," he said. "Let's just undo everything we've done." Impressed by the man's generosity, the defeated man insisted on handing over a new check.
Later, when he received a "current account" (records of income and expenses from the bank for customers, ed), he found that both checks had been cashed. The cunning swindler must have put the first check in his pocket and tore a blank sheet of paper. His seemingly benevolent act turned out to be a cunning scheme of deception.
We all agree that this kind of behavior is despicable. But we must honestly admit that we all have a tendency to lie. We lie by wearing a mask of flattery, wink inappropriately, or say that we are only trying to be diplomatic, but we are actually following the example of the Devil, the father of lies (John 8:44).
Lord, help us to always be honest -- HGB
WE WERE A CLOSED NET WHEN WE COMPETE A FRAUD!
* Take from Daily Reflections