Identity theft!

A modern phenomenon, caused in part by our ever growing dependence on electronic communication and information storage, is identity theft. Officially defined as when a person “knowingly transfers or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of Federal or international law, or that constitutes a felony under any applicable state or local law...” 

The singular purpose of identity theft is criminal; there are simply no benign reasons to “steal” or borrow another’s identity… it is also the fastest growing crime around. Last year in the USA alone 14.7 million identity theft complaints were laid, with nearly one third of those being fraudulent use of individual credit cards.

There is however, a much more prevalent form of Identity Theft, and it has been going on for much longer…there are those who willingly steal the identity of true believers for their own evil purposes. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:13 NKJV

Such people have learnt their lessons well from that great deceiver, the dark lord himself… “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14 NKJV   

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.  2 Corinthians 11:15 NKJV   

These verses clearly warn us that there will be those who happily call themselves Christians for a mixed bag of reasons…political power, control, money, influence… the list is as variegated as there are false believers. Such people have never been born again and have certainly never been transformed by Holy Spirit and the “renewing of their mind” through the Word of God.   

Jesus said “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ Matthew 7:21-22 NKJV

What does the future hold for such imposters…? “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:23 NKJV

There are many people in churches and other religious organizations who have a form of godliness, but who have denied the power of Holy Spirit that would have otherwise transformed them into sons and daughters of God.

The practical advice for avoiding “physical identity theft” includes such common-sense things as placing unique passwords or pin numbers (and change them regularly) on all credit cards, bank, and phone accounts, securing personal information in your home, and destroying or obliterating all personal information on old bills and accounts before you throw them out in the trash.

A popular source of information for "identity thieves" is the hard-drives in recycled/secondhand computers,cellphones PDA's i Pads etc. Spend a little time/money making sure that all personal information is removed from such devices.  Such personal documents as passports and identity papers should be kept in a secure place known only to you. 

The practical advice for avoiding those who have indulged in “spiritual identity theft”? Become a fruit inspector!

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:15-20 NKJV

**Updated and republished from June 2011