The other evening, I got a call from a scam artist representing himself as someone working for Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes.  According to him, I was a second place winner of approximately 19 million dollars and he needed to give me detailed instructions on how to claim my winnings.  Surprisingly, the man was very thorough in explaining the claim process and of course, the small fee I had to pay up front to receive my claim receipt.  He stated that I had to act immediately or I would forfeit my winnings.  Everything the man said seemed credible.  He was professional and polite.  He even provided a website, check number, package code and other details that could persuade anyone into thinking this was really true.  But when I questioned him about the upfront fee and requested another point of contact to verify that I was a winner, the once polite man turned ugly.

In a tone of disgust, the man scolded me stating that I needed to stop questioning a “blessing from God” and that “God works in mysterious ways.”  Wow.  Really?  At first, I was shocked that he tried to use the name of God to manipulate and defraud me.  On top of that, he acted as if I was unappreciative of what God was doing for me. 

Very calmly, I told the man that I would not be paying for a claim receipt and thanked him for the opportunity.  The man could not understand why I had an issue with this simple process and why I would deny a “blessing” of this magnitude.  Anyway, I hung up the phone.  About 15 minutes later, he called back to make sure I realized I was about to forfeit my winnings.  He even called again a third time, but my husband handled it.  I was then reminded of how wickedness works.

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud:
under his tongue is mischief and vanity. – Psalm 10:7

Beginning with Eve, Satan always twists God’s words and takes them out of context with the sole purpose to deceive.  He likes to create doubt in our minds by questioning and confusing the truth of God.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: – Genesis 3:4

You must be aware that wickedness has an agenda for your life:

•         lure you into disobedience and foolishness
•         create unnecessary hardships
•         deceive you into hardening  your heart against God
•          subdue God’s power within you

It is so important to seek the Word of God and understand it for yourself.  When you spend time with God, you become familiar with His ways and His power.  You will gain spiritual discernment to easily recognize a true blessing of God.  A personal relationship with Him is the best protection against all wickedness and deception.  Now is always a good time to start seeking Him!

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,
may give unto you the spirit of wisdom
and revelation in the knowledge of him: – Ephesians 1:17