ARE YOU A CHEATER?
What a question for someone to ask or even to be labeled as. Often when we think about cheating or calling someone a cheater, we relate it to a person who has been or is being unfaithful to someone. Cheaters often try to hide what they are doing for fear of getting caught. Yet, they will often continue this behavior because of self-gratification or for whatever pleasure the flesh may be receiving at that time. A cheater also withholds emotions and things that rightfully should be given freely to his/her spouse, often giving part of these things to the person with whom they are cheating.
But did you know that most people who cheat truly do not want to lose the person they are cheating on, nor do they want to be the recipient of their own actions? Dealing with someone who has cheated on you is painful and damaging to a relationship. The very core of the relationship, which is trust, has been broken and often destroyed. Although it is not impossible to rebuild that core, it does, however, take a lot of time and work to do so.
Knowing the pain and feeling of being cheated on by someone you love, just imagine how Christ feels when we cheat on Him.
We are cheating on Christ when we don’t seek Him. When we put things and people before Him; when we don’t spend time in our relationship with Him by reading His Word and praying, and when we allow things and people to be first in our lives, we are cheating on God. He has already told us that if we seek Him first, He will give us those other things that we seek. (Matthew 6:33 ESV But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.)
However, when we don’t surrender ourselves completely to God, we are cheating on Him by withholding what is rightfully His – our praise, worship, and obedience. We allow our thoughts, actions, and time to be consumed with the things we deem to be a priority to us, often neglecting to give God any of our time. When and if we remember, we often squeeze Him in. (Psalms 86:12 ESV I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.)
When you truly love someone, you will try to spend as much time as possible with him/her. Whatever you do, you will always think about that person and how your words or actions will impact him/her. You will do whatever you can to maintain and strengthen the bond that you have. You will also become protective, not wanting any harm to come to whom you love. This is so with Christ when it comes to us.
Worship is when we spend that intimate time with God, honoring, adoring and showing deep sincere respect and love for the one who created us. When we praise Him, we are exalting, applauding, and magnifying Him for who He is, while showing our thankfulness for all He has done. When we get into his Word, we are spending time with Him, learning more about Him and all He has for us. We are allowing ourselves to become one with Him and take on His likeness. We are deepening our relationship and walk with Christ. (Matthew 11:29-30 ESV Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”) (1Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.)
But when we allow the things of this world to replace our time with God and to come before our relationship with Him, we have become cheaters. (Deuteronomy 6:5 ESV 5You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.)
It’s time to be faithful to each other, as well as to be faithful in our relationship with Christ. (1Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.)
Be Encouraged!
Evangelist Steele
