Identity Theft

Knowing mankind has to have individual identifiers for every person, place and thing, he has instinctively created an almost impossibility to recognize things of a spiritual nature. Man cannot readily recognize things of a spiritual nature because he does not see, hear, touch, nor smell or taste a spirit. And, because he is so conditioned to having individual identifying character traits for all things and his desire to be identified in specific manners or associations, he has mistaken identities of how he is or desires to be. This he cannot tolerate.

If he is mistaken in his identity to feel a part of an organization, or feels others have mistaken his desired identity, perhaps he will steal another’s identity. We see this becoming more prevalent in our society; someone stealing another's personal identity. We call this identity theft. Many lawyers are advertising for people to hire them to protect them from identity theft.

An unstable person who feels inadequate in their identity might steal another’s because it might bring them personal gain. Scripture tells us the love of money is the root of all evil. (1 Tim. 6:10) Satan and society create a hardship on many people requiring the use of money to sustain the necessities of life. Poor persons get to a place where it is felt a necessity to take from the rich to support their families.

Others who have turned to evil find pleasure in stealing from a person more wealthy than they. It becomes a kick to see how much they can get away with.

1 John 2:15-16 says, 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

These lusts tempt certain men to steal for a supposed gain of wealth, power and prestige in this life. A Christian, or one professing to be Christian, should be content with the place they are, the place which God has placed them except with hard work and effort to be better. A lust for more without effort to obtain righteously, is of the world, not of God.

Can identity theft happen in a religious realm? Sure it can.

When someone believes they can gain from an association with a certain religious group they might steal the identity of the name of that group to fit in and gain earthly wealth, power and prestige. Man wants prominence in association with those of which he desired to commune. Man desires to feel he is of value to someone. Man is a social being and wishes to belong and be loved. Also, man desires to fit into a certain class of people economically and socially. He does not always desire to do as everyone expects but just enough to fit in.

Illustration. I knew a man who was doing work for another who worshiped as a Mormon. Not believing in that denomination, he made fun of their belief. Poking fun at his employer, he asked him how many wives he had. Knowing the ability in their belief that they could be bigamists, this pleased him to belittle the Mormon. The Mormon replied, “I have only one wife, but we can have more than one.” Wanting to press the issue, the man asked why he did not have more than one wife. The Mormon replied that he was instructed to abide by the laws of the land and where he lived bigamy was illegal. If he lived where bigamy was legal, he might have more than one wife.

Seeing the man could not trip up the Mormon, he began to find out more about the Mormon belief. In his findings he found they are a group of prominent individuals collectively. There are doctors, lawyers, mayors and other dignitaries among their group. Each prominent member was of considerable wealth. They believe everyone should have things in common. Therefore, if any member has a need, the others meet that need, no charge.

This intrigued him in that financial assistance from the whole community of Mormons might benefit his life. He could improve his status and financial position by becoming a member of the Mormon religion. So he did.

The man took on the identity of a Mormon falsely under false pretenses. He stole the identity of Mormon to gain financially for himself.

Do men desire to obtain a place in a religious assembly for earthly gain? Is there any reference in scripture of such a man?

Acts 8:9-21. 9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.