Is cheating a sin? Let’s answer this great question.
God doesn’t mince words when telling us that cheating is a sin:
“The Lord hates people who cheat” (Deuteronomy 25:16).
Cheating Hurts
Its Hurt
Anyone who has been cheated has felt its pain and knows cheating is a sin. And any cheater with a working conscience knows the same.
Cheating Stealing and Lying
Its Companions
The Bible links cheating with stealing and lying:
“Do not steal or cheat or lie…. “Do not rob or take advantage of anyone” (Leviticus 19:11, 13).
Old Testament Cheating
(1) Dishonest Weights
When the sellers used balance scales, they mislabeled their weights as larger than they were:
“Do not cheat … Use true and honest weights and measures, so that you may live a long time in the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Deuteronomy 25:14-15).
(2) Inferior Sacrifices
They didn’t offer their best on God’s altar. Sacrifices were to be from among the best of the crop or herd. They dishonored God, Who told them:
“But you dishonor me when you say that my altar is worthless and when you offer on it food that you despise…. As your offering to me you bring a stolen animal or one that is lame or sick. Do you think I will accept that from you? … A curse on the cheater who sacrifices a worthless animal to me, when he has in his flock a good animal that he promised to give me! For I am a great king, and people of all nations fear me” (Malachi 1:12-14).
(3) Overcharging Customers
The merchants couldn’t wait for God’s ‘holy days to end’ so they could continue cheating their customers. God knew their evil thoughts:
“You (merchants) say to yourselves …When will the Sabbath end, so that we can start selling again? Then we can overcharge, use false measures, and fix the scales to cheat our customers. We can sell worthless wheat at a high price” (Amos 8:5-6)
New Testament Cheating
(1) Court Cases
Believers brought their Christian brothers to court. Instead, they should have brought their dispute to the church:
“If any of you have a dispute with another Christian, how dare you go before heathen judges instead of letting God’s people settle the matter?” (1 Corinthians 6:1).
But God warned them that:
“The wicked will not possess God’s Kingdom. Do not fool yourselves; people who … steal or are greedy or … thieves—none of these will possess God’s Kingdom” (1 Corinthians 6:8-10).
(2) Rich vs. Poor
God warned the rich against cheating the poor:
“And now, you rich people, listen to me! … You have piled up riches in these last days. You have not paid any wages to those who work in your fields. … Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent people, and they do not resist you” (James 5:1-6).
(3) Committing Adultery
God also warned husbands and wives not to cheat each other by committing adultery:
“Marriage is to be honored by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery” (Hebrews 13:4).
Is Cheating a Sin?
Summary
***The Bible links cheating with stealing and lying.
***Old Testament examples of cheating include dishonest weights, inferior sacrifices, and overcharging customers.
***New Testament examples include court cases, withholding wages, and adultery.
“The Lord hates people who cheat” (Deuteronomy 25:16).
