Overcoming Sin through Christ
A Comprehensive List of Sins
(Alphabetically Arranged)
Richard Hollerman
The plan of this study is simple. We will look at a large number of sins, one by one, alphabetically. We will define the sin, describe it, and comment on it, along with noticing Scripture references on the particular entry. Some illustrations will be offered along with the description.
Cheating
Probably most people are willing to denounce the sin of cheating, yet this continues to be one of the most widespread and selfish sins in the world. In fact, when someone wishes to condemn another person, he may call him or her a “cheat.”
We may read in the newspaper about a man “cheating” someone out of money by telling her that he will repair her house, then he leaves without completing the job. Or we may hear of someone “cheating” on a test at school. We also may learn of someone who is caught “cheating” on his tax form. One way the term is commonly used is in marriage: a man may “cheat on his wife–or vice versa.
We commonly use the term “cheat” in our daily life, but what do we mean by this? To cheat means “to deceive by trickery; swindle. . . . To deprive by trickery; defraud. . . . To mislead; fool. . . . To act dishonestly; practice fraud.”[1]
Although the terms “cheat” or “cheating” are seldom found on the pages of our English Bibles, the meaning is found repeatedly. Paul says that “swindlers” will “not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). The Lord Jesus said, “Do not defraud” (Mark 10:19). Paul accused the Corinthians, “You yourselves wrong and defraud” (1 Corinthians 6:9), and he commanded that “no man transgress and defraud his brother” (1 Thessalonians 4:6). Misleading others is a form of lying that is condemned throughout God’s Word (Proverbs 12:22; Colossians 3:9; Revelation 21:8).
When we “cheat” someone of money, of their reputation, or their possessions, we sin against love–for “love does no wrong to a neighbor” (Romans 13:10). The cheat gravely sins against others!
If we fear a holy God, we need to renounce all forms of cheating. Instead of cheating someone of their money, their time, their possessions, or their morality, we need to exercise active and outgoing love. And we need to turn from all selfish responses to people because of thier vulnerability. God hates cheating!
[1] The American Heritage College Dictionary.