The 17-year-old kid certainly looked like a Walmart employee. He had all the correct attire and even knew how the corporation worked, especially since he was an employee at one point. He began traveling from store to store posing as “a manager from another branch.” The real Walmart employees bought his story. This teen guy successfully conned three different Walmart stores, achieving access to back offices and cash registers. Before he was caught, he had compiled almost $30,000 (Channel 4 News).

Some of the most dangerous people are those who seem like they belong when, in reality, they have sinister intentions. This is especially true in spiritual matters. Deceptive people like these have been responsible for ripping apart congregations, pulling people away from the church, and introducing false teachings. The damage they cause is devastating and, in some cases, irreversible.

Scripture warns, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words…” (1 Peter 2:1-3; cf. 1 Timothy 4:1-3).

While a Christian should always carry an attitude of love and kindness towards everyone, let’s also keep a watchful eye for those who may have bad intentions. Let’s be one who diligently study God’s Word. Let’s also test what is being taught and make sure it checks out with what Scripture says (1 John 4:1-6; Revelation 2:2).

Brett Petrillo