We will look at a few examples that show how we are caught in Satan's net through the advantages offered by theft accompanied by lies. These advantages can range from small and insignificant to very large.

One example is working under the table (or off the books), which means working without a registered employment contract or with a lower salary officially declared, while receiving the rest in untaxed cash. The advantage of accepting this “dark deal” is the significantly higher take-home pay. For those in this situation, giving up this “old” practice would be extremely difficult, because their income would drop significantly, and life would become much harder.

To secure a better standard of living, almost everyone pursues education, which ends with a diploma or qualification meant to help us later in life. We can see that during school exams—those required to obtain a diploma—Satan presents an offer that many accept.

He helps us get the diploma if we resort to cheating or stealing, thereby abandoning truth. Then he helps us find a good job, on the condition that we present, at the time of hiring, what we obtained through dishonesty.

However, by presenting a diploma or certificate that falsely claims we have the necessary knowledge for the position, we end up living a lie. (And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie. Revelation 21:27)

By using and enjoying what we have gained through theft and lies, we trap ourselves in a chain of iniquity from which many will never escape. (Every thief shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. Zechariah 5:3)

Another example of falling into Satan’s trap is the offer of early retirement (due to illness), obtained through gifts and lies. This refers to deceitfully claiming illness in order to leave work early and receive benefits—whether from the state or a private pension fund—through manipulation. But lying, along with defrauding these systems and collecting income one is not rightfully entitled to, leads to disastrous spiritual consequences.

Note:
The material above is an excerpt from the booklet “The New Birth”, available to read free of charge.
On unmodifiedword. com you can discover other booklets that call you to a life lived in the image of the Lord Jesus.