I Fell For a Scam
FOOLED! HACKED! PHISHED! SCAMMED! Yup, I fell for a “phishing” scam. I consider myself an intelligent woman, but it caught me off guard and seemed real. The view they showed me made it appear that someone had hacked my computer and had purchased horrible things through my account. The woman sounded so professional… until she started losing patience with my questions and concerns. Little flags should have been waving in my head sooner but finally a big STOP signaled my brain to shut down and unplug. I learned later that I had fallen for a common phishing scam that tries to steal your private information. I changed my passwords and called an expert to help. Fortunately he was able to clean off all the issues and no damage was done.
Satan is not a fictional character with a tail and red suit. He is the number one enemy of God. He tries to trip us up and cause damage to our very souls. It all started in The Garden with Eve. He challenged her thinking and caused doubt about what God had really said. Maybe He witholding something good from her? Satan often uses very subtle tactics “to get into our heads” and doubt God’s goodness and trustworthiness.
1 Peter 5:8–9a (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language)
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. 9Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times.
John 10:10 (ESV) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
“Sober minded” is clear thinking, to be alert to the lies and I was not. The scammers sounded and appeared real but were not. They caused confusion, doubt and fear but when they started to threaten I saw the danger. We always have to check the language people are using , what resources are true and if what is being said lines up with what we already know. There are so many false theories out in our society we need to be cautious and check them against what the Bible has to say. Jesus said “I AM the TRUTH”. God never changes, God cannot lie and wants to bless us. He never causes harm.
2 Corinthians 11:13–14 (ESV) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
It is recorded in the New Testament (Acts 17) that theJews in Berea heard the apostles teaching about Jesus and it was all new to them. They didn’t just accept what was told to them but checked the scriptures for themselves. When we hear something that sounds ok but it seems a little off base we need to do our own fact check. If we find ourselves off track because we fell for a lie of Satan , Jesus is always ready to clean up our “hard drive”.
Acts 17:10–11 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
The Scewtape Letters is a fictional tale about a senior demon writing to his nephew about the importance of distracting Christians from the faith and causing doubt and discension.
“Indeed the safest road to Hell is the gradual one–the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts,…Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” “Whatever their bodies do affects their souls. It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out…” “There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human’s mind against the Enemy (God) . He wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
How do we protect the “data” we have already?
Memorize scripture and the Holy Spirit will recall it for you
Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
His word will give us guidance
Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Ask for discernment
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Put on His protection
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Be alert, be wise, be safe….
Proverbs 3:5–6 (The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language) Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
