Cheaters Never Prosper

Scripture: Zechariah 5 v 3-4: "Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.  
4 I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof."


Romans 12 v 17-20: "Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
 18  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
 19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
 20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head."


Nothing makes people more upset than injustice. People that get off on a technicality in court when their guilt is obvious to all turns some communities into vigilante mode. Nobody but the villian feels good about the fact that he got away with his crime.

As Christians we are told not to be judge, jury and executioner. But we want to be reassured that God is doing something to repay the wrongdoer. Trust me, God never lets the thief get away with it. 

In Zechariah He says this is the curse that goes forth over the face of the whole world - every thief and everyone that even uses God's name as a swear word - will be cut off. Those words mean they will die. Maybe not immediately but God will carry out His word. The unrepentant will have their houses completely destroyed.

There are untouchable people in high places who seem to survive corruption and fraud but our God makes no distinction for the high and mighty. They are all going to receive their just desserts.  There are no shades of sin, no justifiable sin.  If God has declared something a sin, He has no thought of changing His mind about it.  There is a war going on in the heavenlies which is between good and evil.

God sent His only Son to Earth to break the power of sin over every human being.  By the Blood of Jesus, and nothing else, sin is destroyed.  If you carry on sinning after you have been forgiven and cleansed, you are trampling underfoot the Blood of the Lamb, despising Him in your heart.  God is a righteous judge who will not be mocked.

Theft covers many things - theft of innocence by rapists, molesters, paedophiles. Theft of a human life by murder; theft of a person's reputation by slander; theft of a spouse through adultery; piracy on the sea, or any other form; theft of tithes by unscrupulous pastors; the undermining of those anointed by the Holy Spirit to pray, intercede and warn of God's judgment.

Jesus says we must not avenge ourselves but allow Him to be the righteous judge. His punishments can be severe.  Jesus means what He says and unless we repent of stealing of all kinds, or using God's name as a curse word, we are in danger of His judgment. The judgments of the Lord are fearful. Either serious illness or death.

Those who repent and become born again will be forgiven and there is never any condemnation from Him again. Our lives must be lived according to His will, and we will know joy unspeakable and full of glory.  

Hebrews 6 v 4 - 6: "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame."

We are living in an age of permissiveness, where every sin is acceptable and very few give an account of their transgressions.  What is in our hearts comes out of our mouths.  If we justify the ungodly, we will be counted as one of them when it really matters.  Really matters.  Christians must be bold to be a true witness of our faith in Jesus Christ.  

If no one in our circle of worldly friends knows we are a Christians then our light is not shining brightly enough.  Rather be mocked, shunned, kicked out of their company than deny Jesus.  Peter denied Him three times and it broke his heart.  He repented and became a formidable witness of our Saviour.  Let us be brave and stand up for Who and what we believe to the glory of the Lord.


Prayer: Heavenly Father so many of us at some time have sworn or stolen even some tiny thing but Your word excuses none of us. Please forgive us every theft and every curse of your name and cleanse us with the Blood of Jesus. We repent (ie change our ways) and will never do such things again.  We now know that cheaters never prosper and every theft, lie, adulterous affair and blasphemy is going to hurt You and us. Please deliver us from Your judgment against us. In Jesus' name. Amen.