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Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 1:03:07 AM
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just_Bryan
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I have an aquaintence named Steve. I would consider Steve a strong Christian. As many of us know strong Christians are the ones the enemy works hardest on. In an accountability setting, Steve confessed something to me that blew me away. I knew he was involved in a lawsuit, but I never pried. It seems Steve was in a desperate financial state and was at his wits end on what to do or where to turn. One day Steve took a fall and succumbed to the temptation of feigning the severity of his injury. He's received Workers Comp checks. Seeing big dollar signs he is now involved in litigation with his former employer. Over time he now knows he's done a terrible thing and realizes that he's distanced himself from God, but he see's no way out of the mess he's created. He can't stop the litigation as he doesn't have the money to pay the lawyer, repay the Workers Comp checks back and he may be sued himself. He is afraid of the all the repercussions that would come if he calls the whole thing off. Steve is stuck. He is tormented daily by his stupid actions. He asked me what I thought he should do. I said that at the moment I had absolutely no idea and that I'd have to pray about it. He is getting really depressed and I fear he may do the "unthinkable". I thought perhaps I'd place his plight in a forum setting so that other Christians may help Steve. Thanks for any input.
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 1:48:58 AM
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SinnerSaved
Posts: 332
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From: Belfast, N. Ireland
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Confession, repentance and restitution would seem to be his only option. It's hard, but narrow is the gate....
_____________________________
"Dance like nobody's watching; love like you've never been hurt. Sing like nobody's listening; live like it's heaven on earth."
Mark Twain
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 1:56:41 AM
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BibleL7
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Pray, Pray and Pray some more and advise him to follow the Bible. Advise him to return to the Lord and turn from the sin. Be truthful and fear not the repercusssions, Trust in the Lord to be with him thru it. You say he cant afford to pay lawer or pay back Workers comp but the question is can he more afford to go to prison for fraud in going through with it. Honesty is best and he can not expect help and comfort from the Lord in continueing in sin. Pray for him and with him be his friend and give him the best Bible based advice at all times. The word says the Truth will make you free. Also since he was injured he may not have to pay back all workers comp. But if he allows it to continue much longer it will only get worse.
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 6:46:51 AM
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maddog4god
Posts: 200
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Wow, he does seem stuck, however, and funny thing is I saw this - someone in our area just got sentenced to ten years in prison for fraud for faking a worker's comp injury.
Better he fess up now then continue on this path.
This is a serious crime.
_____________________________
Fifty Two Weeks to change the world!
http://www.50-two-weeks.com/
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 6:57:43 AM
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armydude
Posts: 16853
Joined: 2/12/2006
From: NC
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quote:
ORIGINAL: SinnerSaved
Confession, repentance and restitution would seem to be his only option. It's hard, but narrow is the gate....
I agree. I would like to add that he's gonna need support through this...
_____________________________
You can choose to be pitiful. Or you can choose to be powerful. But you cannot choose to be both.
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 6:58:25 AM
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Walker311
Posts: 1469
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Without any hesitation, doing what is right is always right.
The terrifying reality of being truthful cannot compare to the horrifying reality if he is not.
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 7:36:50 AM
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Prairiehiker
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One thing you should do is to walk with him through this situation. Be his friend. You don't have to find the answer or the solution, but be with him as a friend and don't leave him no matter what. You have no clue how much a true friendship will make a world of a difference in situations like this.
Also, encourage him to pray for God's direction. God is with him and hasn't abandoned him. Make him be aware of this.
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 9:54:34 AM
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Liveloved
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quote:
He is tormented daily by his stupid actions.
It is our pride that keeps us from doing what is right. We want to save face rather than be honest.
There is only one right choice for Steve, absolute truthful confession and willingness (and desire) to face the consequences. This is the foolishness of the cross. If we who say we believe would live it, perhaps others would believe as well.
Love your friend and pray for him and encourage him to do the only right thing. Someday he'll understand he was only walking the narrow path---and it's the ultimately good path. 
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 5:36:24 PM
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CherishedbyGod
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My heart goes out to your friend. But for the grace of God, go any of us.
Your friend is, indeed, tormented. He is already in a prison - the enemy has captured him and he is in a prison of fear, shame and torment.
Somehow, your friend needs to come to the realization that if he is honest, comes clean and tells all, no matter what the consequences, he will feel great relief. Satan plays havoc with us when we keep our sin hidden. I am certain your friend is experiencing great fear and alot of shame, also.
I would imagine this has affected his relationship with the Lord? He needs to first bare his soul to the Lord.
Then, if he could somehow get into some sort of pastoral counseling or make a sincere effort to take steps this will not happen again, sentencing, once he does tell all might be less severe. Judges like to see people that come clean, admit they broke the law, make no excuses and that they are doing something constructive to right the behavor.
Most of all Jesus is a very, very merciful God. The Bible says ~He delighted in mercy~ This is a time to draw near to God.
Bless you for being his friend! Love your friend through this! Carry him in prayer.
Finally, Jesus came for just such sinners, as He says in Isaiah and Luke:
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Luke 4:18 I will be praying for both of you.... God will turn this around powerfully if your friend does things His way... A couple more things. You never know, perhaps no one will charge him with anything. But if they do, you should have lawyers that work with financially strapped clients. In California, we have legal aid. So he might want to look into that, if it comes to that....
< Message edited by CherishedbyGod -- 5/29/2008 5:51:38 PM >
_____________________________ ~I would love for you to come and learn about Jesus of Nazareth with me in the Writer's Roundtable Folder~
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 8:01:33 PM
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just_Bryan
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I talked to Steve today. This mess is wound tighter than you can possibly imagine. I took my laptop and showed him all the posts. At first he was very upset with me, but then took it as it was meant... seeking wise counsel. He says he can undo part of the damage by stopping the legal action and arranging to pay the attorney fees for all that were involved, but that leaves the Workers Comp checks that were cashed. My adviced to him was to do that, try to get a loan to repay the Workers Comp money back (only $3500) and trust God to handle the rest. He said it must be done in such a way that his wife doesn't know the whole truth, but that the end result would be the same; confession to God and amends made to the people who were wronged. Again I said to start the process of turning things around and trust God to lead you step by step. He said that he would tell her that he's been praying and that he feels God wants him to stop the proceedings and if asked why he would tell her that he believes God would have him handle things differently. Steve doesn't want to bring any more tension to their marriage and would rather reverse things and take the origin of the problem to his grave. It would be between him and God and would never happen again. My answer was the same, trust God to lead you through this; just get started.
Thanks to all of you for your posts. Please keep them coming.
Steve and I are going to meet again tomorrow night about 9:00 p.m. CST
I'm going to try to have him online with me at that time.
In the grip of His grace,
Bryan
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 8:20:54 PM
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CherishedbyGod
Posts: 2400
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Please, just don't tell us anything more about who he is and don't break his confidentiality. I cannot tell you how very important that is.
_____________________________
~I would love for you to come and learn about Jesus of Nazareth with me in the Writer's Roundtable Folder~
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 9:53:40 PM
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inthysite
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I hate to be a doomsayer here but I feel that your friend is in for a long hard road. Yes it is right to own up to his sin and atone for it, yes God will forgive him for this and his anxiety will be relieved as far as it concerns his relationship with the Lord.
However, if he insists on keeping it from his wife and even lying to her if she confronts him about it then there will be further tension between him and his wife as the dishonesty will eat him up, believe me I know, I've been there. Also his relationship with the Lord will once again be hindered due to his dishonest dealings with his wife.
You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. (1Pe 3:7 NASB)
Also, while God will forgive him and his brothers and sisters in Christ may support him he cannot count on society, or in this case his employer, to be as lenient. His employer may wonder why the sudden change of heart and may look further into the matter and may press charges himself.
Workers Comp will definitely have a case against him and may choose not to accept only restitution but may also want to file charges.
It's a hard thing to do the right thing, I would suggest to your friend to read up on King David, specifically after his sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11 and 12).
Psalm 51 is a cry of David's to the Lord over this sin, notice the depths that David sank into, the pain he felt. This is what sin does to us.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned And done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins And blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners will be converted to You. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise. For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. By Your favor do good to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, In burnt offering and whole burnt offering; Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar. (Psa 51:1-19 NASB)
My heart goes out to your friend and I do pray for him. I pray that he does the right thing and I pray for favor in the eyes of his wife, his employer and WC. I pray for the strength he will need for the road ahead of him. And I pray for his eyes to be open now as it does seem that Satan has a good grip on him.
_____________________________
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer - Psalm 19:14
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 10:49:52 PM
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colliefan
Posts: 2754
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From: Raleigh, NC
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Steve needs to 'fess up and face the consequnces, even if it leads him to prison. I have been involved with some form of prison ministry for over twenty years. Most the time the individuals I encounter are Christians whose addicitions, fear, and just stupid actions have led them to prison.
Prison needs to be thought of as a place, not just for punishment, but for restoration and renewal. If he should be sent to prison, he needs continued support of family/friends. His wife and children also will need support.
But prison is a worst case senario. Right now he needs the advice of competent legal counsel and not some individuals posting on a forum.
< Message edited by colliefan -- 5/29/2008 10:59:05 PM >
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 11:04:14 PM
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inthysite
Posts: 770
Joined: 2/12/2008
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quote:
Right now he needs the advice of competent legal counsel and not some individuals posting on a forum.
Amen, as long as the legal counsel is geared towards working honestly with the employer and Workers Comp to come to some arrangement of restitution.
However, if the counsel is to further deny, distort, or spin the truth then he will find himself in the same boat he is currently in. JMHO.
_____________________________
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer - Psalm 19:14
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 5/29/2008 11:35:19 PM
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BibleL7
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As to telling his wife it could very well be that him keeping the truth from her is what is causing the problem within the marriage at the present time. Husband and wife are to become one, when I discuss something with one married person then I would assume that I am also telling their spouse. At no time would I try to have something I said to one not be shared with both. One of the things of having a marriage in accordance with His will is to have honesty and love and intimacy between the two partners in the relationship.
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 6/5/2008 2:22:32 PM
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Butterflytearz
Posts: 142
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quote:
One day Steve took a fall and succumbed to the temptation of feigning the severity of his injury.
I have heard that it is near impossible to get workers comp by feigning but if this was the case Steve will be in this prison of deceit for the rest of his life.
This is too much and I pray Steve trust in God and let the truth prevail.
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RE: Satan's snare for Steve - 6/5/2008 2:35:39 PM
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Miril
Posts: 117
Joined: 5/28/2008
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quote:
His wife and children also will need support.
Exactly. First he needs to be honest with his wife, she is his partner and will need to be there for him and his struggles, along with the hands of God.
Then he needs to humble himself and come clean and go through the restoration process, whatever God decides that is.
Showing sparkly dollar bills is another way the devil uses us with his lies.
_____________________________
Proverbs 15
3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
God Bless.
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