There is much concern, worry, and downright fear about someone being able to steal our identity.
For those of us who do most our financial transactions on-line–from purchasing of consumer goods to managing our assets–identity theft seemingly lurks behind every mouse click. Great measures are taken to make it more difficult for the identity predator to capture his prey.
Long and convoluted passwords are used within firewall protections wrapped within secret encryption devices and codes. In order to make it even more challenging, a different password is used for each account that requires one. Then the passwords are changed every few weeks or even days for each account. This includes not only the financial information accounts, but the social networking accounts and e-mail accounts.
Maybe it works. Maybe it serves. But I haven’t the time for it.
Once again, I find this to be unreasonable and pathetic for the Body of Christ to be involved in this.
My faith is not in the hackers’ ability to crack my encryption attempts. My faith is in the One who keeps me. Therefore my efforts at protection are minimal at best. I do only that which is required by the account that I am using. I’ve had the same password for all my accounts for years. I’ve had the same PIN for accounts that require them for years. In states where it has been possible, my driver’s license number has been my social security number. Simplicity is what works for me. Maybe it doesn’t for you.
My reasoning, though probably not well thought out, goes something like this:
- My identity is not how much money I have in my wallet. Neither my money nor my assets define who I am. Therefore, no one can steal my money and take my identity away from me.
- My life is hid with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). Therefore, no one can steal my identity–they can only join in with it!
- I dwell in the secret place of the Most High (Ps. 91). Therefore, God is my protector, which makes stealing my money even more difficult.
- Since God is my protector, I will not fear what man can do to me (Ps. 56:11).
- Since I do not fear what man can do to me, I am not concerned about this so-called identity theft.
Identity Theft is a misnomer, and something the devil is using to deceive the people of God.
Every time a child of God uses the term “identity theft,” he/she is giving credence to the lie that our identity is tied up in what we own. We need to pay attention to the words we speak.
The fact that fear is at the root of this whole thing should be enough to persuade the people of God to avoid it. Avoid the discussions, except to interject your statement of faith. Avoid reading about how to protect yourself from identity theft, except for reading the Bible. Avoid reading about the latest victim’s story, because it only ministers fear.
Some will say that we need to be concerned. I am as concerned as I need to be. But, I am not constantly on the lookout for it.
I recall when we had the news about the “DC Sniper” that people in Missouri were hiding behind their cars while pumping gas. That is not concern. That is FEAR.
The point of all this?
I’m not exactly sure. I just know that I am still bothered by Christians who claim that faith is their message, while fear is their motivation.
Practical Bible Teaching 
You are so right on. And this carries over in our attitude about locking (or not locking) our car, house, etc.
Either He is our Keeper, or He isn’t. Yes, we should not be presumptuous and should use Common Sense, but we have lost sight of what true common sense (and sensibility) is. When we are driven by fear, it is not of God.
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I like what you’ve boiled that down to: faith is the message, but fear is the motivation. Amen. Such a snively little distinction – no – distraction between the two.
I like to see clearly. Goodness knows I need my eyes washed daily.
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Well done, Dale. Very well done.
Why should we worry about someone stealing our financial records when we have treasure in Heaven? Why should we be concerned about someone using our name to get a credit card when our name is written in The Book of Life?
And why, o why, should we fear those who can only kill the body, but not the soul?
If faith is our message, and we live by that message, fear need not be our motivation.
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Nor-
I love the way you pulled pertinent scripture into the mix.
thanks.
Annie-
it is indeed, a distraction–one that most beleivers are not aware of.
Charlotte-
I think protecting our valuables comes under Nor’s distinction. You are right about the attitude that we bring to how we live with our stuff.
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And the real good news is that if you fundies adopt this position, it’ll keep you off the Internet on account of the fact that your computer will have been stolen and you won’t be able to afford a new one.
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Theraveda-
it appears that you are not able to read past your prejudice. If you will notice the context and the replies, you should see that not one of those who commented could be classified as a “fundie.” In our experience, it is the fundamentalists who are the most susceptible to the kind of fear that is addressed here.
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Prejudice? Ho, ho, ho (to quote another imaginary figure). “My life is hid with Christ in God”. Talks like a fundie, looks like a fundie; it’s a fundie.
BTW, Charlotte, thanks for all the stuff.
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I apologize. I thought you were using the term as a short for fundamentalist. There are fundamentalist Christians, fundamentalist Muslims, fundamentalist Hindus, fundamentalist Jews. But not all of those who practice one of those paths would be called a fundamentalist. My mistake. I should have clarified first. So then it is obvious that ‘fundie” is just another term for Christian in your book.
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As soon as someone starts arguing about the meanings of words, I know they’ve lost.
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I guess since I wasn’t competing, you’re correct–I lost.
Wasn’t arguing about the meaning of words. Was trying to clarify. Since you are not willing to clarify, but assume that words can only have one meaning, and that meaning is the one with which you are familiar, then, yes, you win.
Whatever it was you were trying to win.
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“Identity Theft is a misnomer,” True.
Here are some scriptures (out of many available) supporting what you could call security activities.
2 Samuel 8:6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went.
Fatalists would wrongly say that the two parts of the above verse are unrelated.
Luke 11:21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:
Luke 12:39 And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
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Theraveda:
You really ought to stop by my place.
For best results, start here:
http://thenoreaster.wordpress.com/2007/11/20/katrina-me/
That was my first post. I think you’ll find it…interesting.
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Dale, waiting for phone call…leave a message if you don’t get me, i will return it! sorry..off track here..
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Theraveda, I am curious. Just to help me understand a bit of what is happening here, one, does the Lord matter to you, and two, if so, in what way? I am in no way a traditional fundamentalist — I don’t even attend church. Yet I am hearing something here that I don’t understand.
BTW — You’re welcome.
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Interesting collection of thoughts you’ve put together on Identity Theft and I do agree with some of them however have you ever read Proverbs 22:3, “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.” I think that as Christians we are to have faith and trust in God while being aware of what is happening in the world. I mean, if a tornado were to touchdown wouldn’t common sense tell you to take shelter? So, taking steps to protect your own personal information should be prudent! Find more at legalsolutionspro.com
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What’s up, everything is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing information, that’s truly good, keep up writing.
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Реальная действительность свидетельствует переход на OS Виндовс “десятку” на нетбуке/ноутбуке вполне может быть обусловлен некоторыми причинами. А это http://win10soft.ru/133-dolby-advanced-audio.html%5Dhttp://win10soft.ru/133-dolby-advanced-audio.html видал?
скажем, для примера, этот перевод на ОС Виндовс “десятку” протекает если был приобретен абсолютно новый ноутбук (нетбук) или домашний компьютер.
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