If I Cheated And I Won, Do I Have To Tell?
Answer: You shouldn’t cheat in the first place. But if you did cheat, you should admit what you have done and make it right, whether you win or lose.
In a game that’s very important to you, you will feel the temptation to win at any cost. That’s when you might think about cheating to gain an advantage.
Just remember that winning is not the most important thing-doing what God wants is.
When you do something wrong and realize it, the best response is to confess. First, talk to God about what you have done.
Then tell the other team or individual, and ask for forgiveness. You also may need to tell your parents.
Of course, telling afterward doesn’t make the cheating right. In fact, you may have to pay back or give back what you took through cheating.
Don’t think you can cheat and then laugh about it later. God wants you to become an honest person.
Key verse: Tell each other when you do wrong. Pray for each other. Then you will be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results. (James 5:16)
Related verses: Proverbs 11:1; 20:23; 1 John 1:9
Note to parents: This will be hard for kids. The typical response will be that they were just joking.
But God doesn’t want us to break his rules even temporarily.
Help your child understand that if a person cheats and is caught, no one will believe that he or she was going to tell later, no matter what that person says about having innocent motives.
When You’re Playing A Game, Is It Ok To Fool The Other Players?
Answer: In any game, it is all right to fool the other players if that’s part of the game and doesn’t break the rules.
For example, in basketball a good player will fake a shot to fool the person guarding him or her.
Or the player might pretend to go one direction and then go the other way.
A good soccer player may fake a pass and then shoot instead.
A good quarterback in football will pretend to hand off the ball to a halfback.
All of these fakes are important parts of the sports-and within the bounds of the rules.
The important thing is to play fair and clean, within the rules.
It would not be OK, for example, for a soccer player to fake a kick to the ball in order to kick another player. That would be cheating.
Key verse: You must do everything for God’s glory, even your eating and drinking. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Related verses: Proverbs 11:1; 20:23; Colossians 3:23-24
Note to parents: There is a difference between fooling others within the rules of the game and breaking the rules of the game in order to gain an unfair advantage.
Be aware that some coaches will encourage players to fake an injury or be unnecessarily rough.
The problem with that advice is that it bends or breaks the rules, not that it fools the other team.
Why Do People Cheat Just To Win A Stupid Game?
Answer: Some people cheat in sports or in a game because winning means too much to them.
They have to win at everything. Maybe they like the feeling of power and control.
Perhaps they like the attention that the winner receives. Maybe they really think they are better people because they win.
They may even be desperate for respect and think people will only like them if they win.
People who cheat don’t understand that God loves them whether they win or lose.
God wants us to work hard at whatever we do and to do it well.
If we are not very good at something and want to be able to do better, then we should practice more and try harder.
If we cheat to win, we are taking a short cut, and we will have to keep on cheating in order to win.
Remember, when you play a game, play fair, play clean, and play by the rules.
God wants you to do your best and to be honest. And whether you win or lose, you should be a good sport.
Key verses: Jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and inspired by the devil.
Wherever there is jealousy or ambition, there will be disorder and every kind of evil. (lames 3:15-16)
Related verses: Proverbs 11:1; 20:23; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Philippians 2:3; James 1:15; 4:16
Note to parents: Affirm the character of kids who don’t always brag about winning.
You can illustrate this by talking about a favorite athlete who focuses on excelling rather than on bending the rules to win a game.
Many people justify their cheating by saying, “I’m not the only one. Other people do it.” Kids may do this, too. But that doesn’t make it right.