Win by Cheating

When I was young it was considered a good thing to play sports because we learned good sportsmanship. We were taught to play fair. When I look at the world we live in today, it seems we have a culture that believes in winning by cheating. Some things you may remember: sports figures that won by cheating. Lance Armstrong, Alex Rodriguez, Tonya Harding ( Having a competitors knee cap broken), Barry Bonds, Marion Jones, Shoeless Joe Jackson (threw a game for money). There are more that won by cheating one way or another.  Or how about in the business world, the Bernard Madoff that stole millions from his clients. Or in the political arenda: remember the Forged National Guard Papers that were to be used against George W. Bush to keep him from winning. More recently, Harry Reid admitting to telling lies on Mitt Romney about not paying taxes. Harry's response when asked about it, Well he didn't win did he?  Almost proud of the fact he used lies to keep a person from the other party from winning. Watergate comes to mind. Photo shopped pictures of other candidates. One Democrat here in a local race, his name escapes me but sued a PAC for slander and won. He lost the political race, but what he wanted was an apology in the same paper that printed the slander. He won the lawsuit and the apology from the PAC was printed. I think of the time many years ago when I bought a 62 Ranchero for $500. The seller offered to write me a bill of sale for $100, so I could save money on taxes when I transfered the title. The principle of stealing a quarter is the same principle as stealing a million dollars.  What happened to honesty, integrity and truth? What happened to playing fair? Or the little league team that got their title taken away because they brought in better players from outside their area. Parents protested taking the title away, but didn't consider it was won by cheating.  What do you think God thinks? I know what he tells us in Proverbs about scales: Proverbs 16:11 "A just balance and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work." and Proverbs 20:23 "Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good." I believe God wants us to be honest in all our dealings. it is not OK to win by cheating. I don't believe God is happy with dishonest means of winning.  These scriptures deal with the market place and money but I believe the principle is the same, even in politics. Don't win by cheating.   God Bless, LVZ.