While I was not the smartest kid in my classes in junior high and high school, I generally made good grades. Mostly As with a B here and there. Being raised in a Christian home, I knew cheating was wrong and did not do it frequently, although I think I did a time or two. It was actually more tempting to let someone cheat off me. Since we moved frequently and I often started a new school in the middle of the year, I did not have friends. There were other factors that contributed to me desiring to be popular, by allowing someone to look over my shoulder. However, I also knew that was wrong and was not in the best interest of the other student. With courage, I would shift my body position so that the “cheater” could not see my paper and I would do so in a way that did not look obvious.
“‘You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” (Lev. 19:11). “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices” (Col. 3:9).
Since God is a God of truth (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16), He cannot tolerate lies. Nor can He tolerate stealing. “You shall not steal” (Exo. 20:15). “You shall not steal” (Deut. 5:19). “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need” (Eph, 4:28).
Cheating is both lying and stealing. Therefore it is sinful on two counts. When a student in school chooses to cheat, he or she is enabling laziness. That contributes to yet another sin. Cheating also, as it did me, makes others uncomfortable. How can you invite someone to worship or study the Bible with you if they know that you cheat? That would be hypocritical. Finally, cheating lowers the value of an education. It makes the diploma / degree valueless if someone has not earned the grades they have received.
So, listen to the words of Solomon: “Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment” (Prov. 12:19). And: “A righteous man hates falsehood, But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully” (Prov. 13:5).
Paul Holland
