No Scamming Here

I wonder what the heart of a scammer looks like. Is it red, with the normal amount of oxygen-rich blood pumping through it? Or are their hearts black? I mean, something’s wrong with people whose goal is to bring others down.

By now, if you’ve ever picked up any piece of technology you’ve probably had someone try to scam you. The dictionary explanation of the word is as follows: Scam (noun) - a dishonest scheme; a fraud. Scam (verb) - swindle.

Nothing good there.

It used to be that you could more easily discern when someone was telling you a lie. It wasn’t just an uneasy feeling you’d get, but more like a “ding! ding! ding!”, with red flags flying everywhere. Now you might get a shiver running up and down your spine, or an unfamiliar “utz” in your gut, and you’re left scratching your head wondering if what you're reading or seeing is real, if you’re experiencing paranoia, or if someone's really trying to scam you.

Nowadays, it’s much easier to take-the-bait, so to speak, because these fraudsters are smart. They may have even studied our habits, and they certainly use algorithms exceeding my knowledge base. 

With artificial intelligence surging, we must guard ourselves even more.

This is the age when discernment is more important than ever, because deception is all around us.

I’m not so proud as to think I can’t be fooled. As I see and hear about others being scammed into believing lies, and having to deal with the fallout from those, it makes me shudder. In fact, there are days I feel as if I’d like to shut down everything—TVs, and every screen with their noisy stimulations.

I’ve even thought that the life of a hermit seems appealing, but then I take a breath, get out my Bible, read some truths, and peace comes again as I pray. 

I’m sure many of you find yourselves praying more for your children and grandchildren too—that they’ll see it when deception comes their way, and that they’ll have the wisdom to either walk away, or shut it down. 

As believers in Jesus, there’s never been a more necessary and important time to know the truths written in the Bible. Although I know I’ll never be wise enough to glean nearly all the wisdom inside those pages, I do find myself praying James 1:5 more and more often. True wisdom isn’t something we can turn to technology to find. Knowing God’s Word, and the principles inside it are our only hope, and where we find true peace. 

When I get anxious about the unknown, or about who might be trying to scam me next, I’m so glad I have the Lord to cuddle into. He’s always there, and His promises are real. No scamming here. Only truth and love.

James 1:5 (NASB1995) “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Pattie Janzen