Your Cheatin' Heart

Several recent posts have focused on the electrical plug we sometimes use as a card protector. We know it converts power from a three-pronged device for a two-prong outlet. Another player noted it's a "grounded device."

But when we double-checked the plug online, we found out something else. In fact, something that's a bit embarrassing. It's also called a "cheater plug."

Were we sending a wrong message to people by using this at poker tables? Were we implying we are a cheater?

Maybe we're over-analyzing this. But then again, we'd ask - do you have sneaky ways of cheating at poker?

They're the stuff of Old West legends. But that does not mean you should be doing them:

"Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord...." - Malachi 1:14 (NLT)

This is about cheating in an animal sacrifice. But does God make any distinctions about this?

You can't wait for the Sabbath day to be over and the religious festivals to end so you can get back to cheating the helpless. You.... cheat the buyer with dishonest scales. - Amos 8:5 (NLT)

This is about cheating poor people, or customers in general. Read on for God's response to this....

Now the Lord has sworn this oath by his own name, the Pride of Israel. I will never forget the wicked things you have done! - Amos 8:7 (NLT)

Those cheating moments could come up at the final judgment, along with "every idle word" (Matthew 12:36). The Bible shows a better approach to take....

….Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated? - I Corinthians 6:7 (NLT)

Yes, this goes all the way to the opposite pole - allowing others to cheat you. But it shows better ethics on your part, and might win more respect with other players.

So should we put away the "cheater plug" - leaving it for a wall at home, instead of a poker table? Your comments are welcome. In the meantime, the old cliché still is a good one: winners never cheat, and cheaters (ultimately) never win.

BLOGGER'S NOTE: Speaking of this topic, we became aware this weekend that we may have been violating New International Version copyright rules without realizing it. We are inquiring with the publisher about this, and will make corrections as required.