Who are you really?
Every Pastor or man of God should have his congregation read this article. Today we will be discussing "Catfishing". I am going to go into cop mode for a minute and try to help protect our Saints from online con artists or scammers.
Catfishing is defined as someone who pretends to be someone they're not, using Facebook or other social media to create false identities, or a persona that readily identifies with yours in order to connect with you.
Why would someone do this? With the advent of social media we are now able to meet new people from around the globe. We are able see what is going on in other people's live's, celebrate with them, grieve with them, pray with them, or just see what they ate for breakfast. lol. This platform gives us a larger outlet in which to speak freely about what matters most to us. Many times that is our family,God, our work, and our hobbies.
While this is fun, entertaining, educational, and many times edifying, it also opens the door for those with less than honorable intentions. We unknowingly post intimate details about our lives, that people can pick up on, take note, and use to establish a profile of what we may be looking for in a friend, mate, or someone to witness to.
This person will then find a way to make contact with you, either directly and indirectly, and start the process of building a relationship or friendship with you. Many times this isn't a quick process, because the more time they take getting to know you, the more time they have to get you to trust them. Once they have your trust, they know that you are essentially putty in their hands.
Those that are sick, elderly, lonely, or emotionally vulnerable are apt to be victimized the most.
These people are very good at what they do, perfecting their craft in prison many times. As a police officer, I dealt with all types of people. By far the hardest to read were drug addicts and career criminals. Why? Because they are so convincing in their mannerisms and the details, that they can fool even the sharpest of people. It takes a lot of digging and careful attention to detail to be able to see between the lies and get to the truth.
As Apostolics we have several of the following traits that attract this type of con artist and criminal:
1. We are open to new people. It is our job to befriend new people, look past any flaws and try to lead them to Jesus.
2. We trust other Apostolic's because we believe that they have the Holy Ghost in them which should prevent them from being purposely dishonest. So when someone says they are Apostolic, we automatically open the door to them.
3. We operate in a relatively small community so we know a lot of the same names of people, even if we have never met them.
4. We want to walk as Jesus walked, which leads us to help people that need help.
So how do these traits make us vulnerable?
We meet someone new on Facebook, and they are well versed in the Word. This begins the process of us dropping our guard because we think "surely someone that can speak this eloquently about the Word of God must be true". They have studied us in detail so they speak on topics that hit close to home to us, further lowering our guard. They start "name dropping". Bro So&So told me this, I went to Bible college with Bro John etc. Well of course we recognize those names as people of honor and character, so why would we question this con artist if he/she rubbed elbows with an anointed man or woman of God. If they trusted them then we must also. Right? Not so.
I would like to think they we have the gift of Discernment that would raise a red flag, and we do. Many times this person will say something in passing in a telephone conversation that doesn't seem right or contradicts an earlier statement, but we write it off as an honest mistake. This is in reality, the Holy Spirit poking you and telling you to think, pray, and see it for what is it. Lies. The reality is that this con probably has multiple people they are conning and cannot keep their stories straight.
Catfishing is not illegal that I am aware of, but it is no doubt a sin, and when it is committed with the intent to defraud, it is no less than a one way ticket to hell.
Psalm 105:15, Saying touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
Many times this verse is used in reference only to the five fold ministry. In reality this verse covers any Saint that has the anointing of God on them, even if they are not currently working in that anointing. So when someone comes along and cons a Holy Ghost filled believer, they have not only committed the sin of lying, but they have gone against the direct Word of God.
So how can you protect yourself from being "catfished"?
1. Pray that God points people out to you that are out to harm you, and be available for His response.
2. Pay attention to detail.
3. Check references. If this person tells you that they are preaching at a certain church, or know certain people, check it out. Call these people or places. If you cannot reach them in person, consider it a huge red flag. There is no harm in verifying because it is important that you know who you are dealing with. Why would you want to unknowingly want to fellowship with an evil person?
4. Google them. You can learn so much from doing a Google search. Many counties and states have their court documents online, and you will easily be able to see prior criminal court cases or this person's online fingerprint.
5. Check their pictures on their profile and look at the pictures that they post closely.
A. If their family picture's never lock them in at specific place, but are very general, be wary. Examine every detail of the picture. Ask yourself if that picture was purposely taken in an obscure location.
B. If they rarely post photos of themselves involved in activities (face uncovered), be wary. The whole point of being on social media is to share, so it is very rare that someone does not at least occasionally post a photo of themselves doing something.
C. When they post a picture that seems suspect, Google it also using Google images.
1. Example: If someone posts a picture of their "trip to the donut shop" and it includes a picture, Google donut shop pic. Take a minute to look through those images, and most likely you will find that same picture that they used when they Googled the same thing. lol.
6. If they always have drama. They will undoubtly always have a tragedy in their lives. They are gauging your responses to various situations, and when you respond in a certain way, they have you on the hook. You are being baited.
7. Never, never, never send someone any gifts or money that you do not know personally, cannot verify their story, or that you are not absolutely 100% sure is genuine. If you must send money, send it to a physical address. If you send money via Paypal, DO NOT send it as a gift. Send it as "goods and services". This will allows you to get your money back from Paypal when you find out that you have been scammed. If someone asks you to send it as a gift only via Paypal, that's a huge red flag.
Social media is fun, I love it, and I have literally grown a ministry using it. However, if you are not extremely careful, you will be "catfished". There are many kind, wonderful, and hungry people out there waiting for you to connect with them, but you must be aware of the darker element that lurks in the shadows also.
Do your homework, don't be lazy, use the Holy Ghost as your guide. A few minutes online doing your research can save you some heartache and probably some money.
God Bless you,
Bro Shad
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