TigerText (no prices for guessing which Tiger is in mind) works by storing texts on a server, and then deleting after a pre-set amount of time. It can even delete the sent messages from the senders phone if the app is downloaded onto theirs as well. Many cheaters have been “found out” by text messages. “For couples where infidelity is a possibility, this just makes cheating easier,” a sales person said. TigerText costs £1.60 a month, is being marketed at people who need privacy and want to “cover their tracks”.
So what do we make of this? Or far more significantly, what has God's Word to say about an app like Tiger Text/ Does that give us Christians licence to jump on the judgment wagon and take over the Holy Spirit's job and have a major go at convicting these immoral app-users of sin, righteousness and judgement? No. A thousand times, no. Our role is to hold out the Word of Life to those who wake up the the emptiness and death and curse of life without Jesus Christ. We are to be conduits of hope in Jesus Christ and heralds of the very good news of Jesus to those who will be thrilled with the app and those who are at this very time being convicted of the sin of cheating and adultery, by the Holy Spirit of God.
Make no mistake the Word is clear on deception, such as the Tiger Text app faciliatates:
Proverbs 12:22 ESV Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
And, whether we are Tiger-Texts fans or not, let us note:
Galatians 6:7-8 ESV Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life
Ephesians 4:25 ESV
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Romans 12:2 ESV
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
I think, if the woman caught in adultery and the woman at the well, lived in the twentieth century, they would probably both have welcomed the Tiger Text app. before their encounter with the Son of God. Let's have a look at how Jesus relates to these two women:
John 8:1-8
But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” ...
John 4:19-21 ESV
The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
Won't it be wonderful, if in years to come, we read of Tiger Woods' name having been be linked with admirable apps!?
There is so much more that can be said about the theme of cheating...of course the alarm needs to be raised, warnings articulated. It is of no help if we bury our faces in the sand about our present culture and the world and the sinful bend of our own hearts. Speaking, praying, writing, warning, coming along side those caught in the trap, repentance and forgiveness -there is wonderful hope for change in Jesus! For those who fear and respect God, these are the certainties: God sees what I am doing - I am an open book to Him, completely known. As a Christian and His forgiven and rescued child, I can have joy and confidence in my God's presence in me despite and in the midst of my imperfections and sins followed up by repentance, forgiveness and growing up in maturity in Christ. His grace is free, but at an unspeakable cost. Yes, His mercy is fresh and new ever morning - but, His kindness should lead me to genuine repentance; to saying "no" to sin, "no" to Tiger Texts and "yes" to beautiful honesty, fidelity and transparency - by His grace - how else!?
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV) Hebrews 4:13.
