Dear Christian, when cheating occurs, it is a sin against God. That’s a principle found in Leviticus 6: 2-5. “If anyone sins against Me by refusing to return a deposit on something borrowed or rented, or by refusing to return something entrusted to him, or by robbery, or by oppressing his neighbor, or by finding a lost article and lying about it, swearing that he doesn’t have it—on the day he is found guilty of any such sin, he shall restore what he took, adding a 20 percent fine, and give it to the one he has harmed; and on the same day he shall bring his guilt offering to the Tabernacle.”

The Old Testament also tells us that in the case of a dispute, it was to be brought before God who would decide innocence or guilt (Exodus 22: 9). Of course, that was in the days when Israel was a theocracy. Today, disputes such as this ought to be brought before the church.* This by no means excludes God, for the guilty party, as with any other sin, should confess it to the Lord.

But that’s not all the sinner should do. God, being a God of justice, is also of the mindset that the offender should repay for wrongdoing. This principle is contained in Numbers 5: 5-7. “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: ‘When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the Lord, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged.'”

In other words, if able to make restitution, do so. It’s the right thing to do.

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*For the flip side, read The Christian Response to Being Wronged. Click here.