Proverbs 20:17: Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
Insight
With fraud, as with every other sin, Satan always holds out bait. He always promises gain or pleasure as the wages of his service but always disappoints the victims of his delusion. “The bread that a man obtains by fraud seems sweet and pleasant at the first taste, but by the time it has been chewed it is plain that it is full of gravel and wounds the tongue and offends the palate” (Bishop Hall). Universal uprightness is the mark of the true servant of God. Let the man who teaches Christian doctrine exhibit holiness in his own life. Never let our religion be one thing and our business another. 1
Application
In Ecclesiastes 11:9, we learn about the level accountability there is as we live our life in the presence of God: “Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.”
It is important to note that we are free to do as we please, but we are never free from the consequeses. We will all give an account to God. Taste and see that God is good, and evil is bad.
Motivation
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin. Hebrews 11:25
A possession gained by fraud is a possession that will cost you everything. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, may my heart be content in You alone.
1. Bridges, C. (2001). Proverbs. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
