Today’s entry offers you some updates about malignant miscreants who want to steal your identity. You may be the recipient of online notes like the following click-baits. First the lures and then their spiritual correctives.
YOU HAVE BEEN REWARDED OR AWARDED. You are the surprise recipient of cash (or its equivalent) from a source that seems trustworthy.
YOUR SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS ARE ABOUT TO EXPIRE! Because you overlooked payment or re-enrollment, the digital protectors that guard your home, finances and health need feeding.
YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION REQUIRES VERIFICATION. People who claim to know you want to doublecheck that you’re really who you claim to be, offering you peace of mind.
YOUR ACCOUNTS NEED ATTENTION. A variety of bogus financial records have some problems that only you can solve.
YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILE HAS BEEN NOTICED. Your personal qualities are attractive! Are you curious about who?
YOUR (FORMER) FRIEND WANTS TO SAY HELLO. You can refresh a cherished relationship simply by reading a personal message that includes a link to interesting information.
These attractive invitations all seem immediately important. Thankfully, your faith life offers you helpful resources to help resist the temptations. Some familiar reassurances:
YOU ARE ALREADY KNOWN, LOVED AND PROTECTED. God found you, and stays close. As a part of God’s family, you’re already surrounded by who and what really matters.
YOU ARE ALREADY AWARE OF SIN AND EVIL. Your discernment is sharp: Human nature sometimes bends toward selfishness and disregard of the common good. Yielding to those temptations could embezzle your well-being.
YOU ARE ALREADY WISE ABOUT MANY THINGS. The writings of prophets, the insight of Proverbs, the counsel of Paul and the example of Jesus offer you something wiser than self-idolatry.
YOU ARE ALREADY SATISFIED AND GRATEFUL. Because of God’s grace, your life is full of blessings. Your gratitude grows into generosity.
Those who want to pilfer your identity may not know the one you already have. It comes from accepting Jesus’ invitation: “I will make you fishers of men!”
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