12 & 13 September 2026 (Pastoral Page) PLAGUED BY SCAMS (DECEITS)

by Dr Peter Lim

Internet scams have blighted our world since the advent of the digital age. And it has become more insidious, devious and rampant with every passing day. Billions of dollars have been hijacked over the media platforms by unscrupulous scammers. Authorities have been desperately trying to contain the damage and to help citizens guard against being cheated so blatantly. With the universal use of social media today, we learn, communicate, interact and transact at the touch of a button or screen real-time. It is quite frightening to know that in so doing we become vulnerable to being deceived by unscrupulous individuals, corporations and even governments. It behoves us to be alert, discerning and to be constantly on guard against being manipulated or duped.

In essence scams are deception schemes. And deception has been our nemesis since the Fall of humanity in the Garden of Eden. Satan in the guise of a serpent deceived Eve in the first sin against God (Genesis 3:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3). Since that fateful event, Satan has played havoc in our lives through his deceitful schemes. The Apostle Paul warns against the devil’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11) and his trap (2 Timothy 2:26).

The Bible has issued very clear warnings against the practice and consequences of deceit through the Levitical laws e.g. “do not deceive one another” (Leviticus 19:11), the prophetic writings e.g. “The heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9) and in the New Testament through the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ e.g. “For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts . . .  deceit . . .” (Mark 7:21) and of the apostles e.g. “while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:13). (Also, Romans 1:29; 2 John 7).

In the spiritual arena, one of the key ploys used by Satan is to deceive us about our sinful state. Many pre-believers have difficulty acknowledging that they are sinners in the eyes of God and therefore in dire need of salvation. After all, they do not rob, murder or commit adultery and are generally law-abiding. Others are duped into thinking that being born into a Christian home, being baptised and attending church regularly and doing good deeds makes one a Christian. Then there is a common belief that there are different pathways to salvation. However, the clear teaching of the Bible is that redemption from sin can only be obtained through repentance and a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and in His atoning sacrificial death on the cross (e.g. Luke 5:32; John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 2:24).

Believers are not spared from falling prey to various forms of deceitfulness, particularly through deviant doctrines and teachings. For instance, the Apostle Paul warns the Corinthian church about “false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14). Since Biblical times believers have had to contend with false teachers. Some New Testament epistles like Jude were written to counter heresies and to bolster the faith of believers. In modern times many Christians have been hoodwinked by the allure of movements such as the prosperity gospel. Many of such movements succeed because they pander to our innate desire to get rich despite Biblical warnings against it (Proverbs 23:4,5; Ecclesiastes 5:10; 1 Timothy 6:9,10; Hebrews 13:5). Seeing that all of us are vulnerable to this danger, what can we do to neutralise its stranglehold on us? Here are some suggestions. First practise generosity (1 Timothy 6:18-19); second practise contentment (Proverbs 30:8,9; Ecclesiastes 5:18,19; 1 Timothy 6:6-7; Hebrews 13:5).

Make no mistake, the practice of deceit is very insidious and will persist unabated even until the end times. (Revelation 13:14; 20:8). The best defence against false teaching is to be well-grounded in the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16). Aside from being vulnerable to deceitful teaching, we need to examine ourselves whether we have been guilty of being deceitful in our day-to-day life. We need to be transparent before God and man. It is so easy to be Pharisaical and to give the impression that we are more righteous than others. The dire warning given by Jesus Christ about hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27-28) should drive us to our knees in repentance and pray to have a pure heart and a steadfast spirit like the Psalmist (Psalm 51:10).

In conclusion, all forms of deceit are oppressive. “Therefore, rid yourself of all malice and all deceit . . .  Like new born babies crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1-2).