Hello, this is my first post on this forum so please forgive me if I format poorly. I truly don't know what to do here. To give you context, I am 18 and about to finish highschool. I have cheated plenty of times in the past whether it be a copied assignment here or a formula that was punched in my calculator before a quiz. Upon coming back to my faith (3-4 months ago) I haven't cheated much at all but I can't help feeling overwhelming guilt over cheating as if my diploma I will soon be handed has been tainted. I feel that if I accept this diploma and move onto college I will lie to everyone. I will lie to my highschool that I earned my grades. I will lie to my college that I earned my highschool graduation, and I will lie to my future employer that I was rightfully admitted into college. Seems like the only option is to drop out?? It seems too extreme but at the same time could be what I am called to do. I saw a similar post about this topic about a fellow who was feeling bad about cheating in college and someone responded with
You are committing willful sin, cheating, lying, stealing, having someone else lie for you and worst of all, praying to God, you are not a doctor or a heart specialist. You should stand up, and you did not earn your degree. You are well aware of it, and you want the Christians to feel sorry for you and sing Kumbaya, you need to not graduate. It is a lie. You have continued in this sin, from high school. I do not feel your sorrow. I hear your excuses and you wanting to get validated, to ease your conscience. When you go for a job interview, the lies will continue. Where does it end. True Repentance, is not only confession of sin, but restoration of the stolen property. In this case, your diploma is a lie and your spouse to be, your parents and yourself is still being manipulated. Just recently, we have had cases, where people have done the same exact thing, and 30 years later, other people have suffered for this seemingly simple, manipulation. I pray for you. it is not the end of the world. But you need to do the right thing. Your mind would be freed, by not accepting that paper. God is present in all these actions, and Christ is being shamed. Free yourself, by speaking the truth. Your whole life will be made much better, and you will have a testimony, for other kids. Be a radical for Christ. The fact that the Holy Spirit is convicting you and you did not remedy the situation, is the reason for your guilty conscience and lack lustre feeling. A Christian always acts on Conviction from the Holy Spirit, or else he will not continue to dwell in a willfull sinning and not repenting fully. Then you would be left up to the error of you ways and the consequences of your actions. What does it profit one, to gain the whole world and their soul is not right with Almighty God. One lie continues from High School then college. I hope you see the pattern here. It is not too late to make things right. Your choice."
This seems very harsh but I was wondering if it holds truth or not. At first I was sure I had to drop out but I'm sure I was dishonest at times in middle school, by this logic I would have to deny the dact that I was educated up to 8th grade! My parents and peers would be very surprised and upset with me if I gave it all up and even my christian brother who I have confided in says to just keep going and that I have been made clean by the blood of Jesus and not cheat again. I am at a loss guys. Please help a fellow christian brother for I have already cried out to Jesus and prayer and asked for forgiveness and guidance and now I call to all of you
You are committing willful sin, cheating, lying, stealing, having someone else lie for you and worst of all, praying to God, you are not a doctor or a heart specialist. You should stand up, and you did not earn your degree. You are well aware of it, and you want the Christians to feel sorry for you and sing Kumbaya, you need to not graduate. It is a lie. You have continued in this sin, from high school. I do not feel your sorrow. I hear your excuses and you wanting to get validated, to ease your conscience. When you go for a job interview, the lies will continue. Where does it end. True Repentance, is not only confession of sin, but restoration of the stolen property. In this case, your diploma is a lie and your spouse to be, your parents and yourself is still being manipulated. Just recently, we have had cases, where people have done the same exact thing, and 30 years later, other people have suffered for this seemingly simple, manipulation. I pray for you. it is not the end of the world. But you need to do the right thing. Your mind would be freed, by not accepting that paper. God is present in all these actions, and Christ is being shamed. Free yourself, by speaking the truth. Your whole life will be made much better, and you will have a testimony, for other kids. Be a radical for Christ. The fact that the Holy Spirit is convicting you and you did not remedy the situation, is the reason for your guilty conscience and lack lustre feeling. A Christian always acts on Conviction from the Holy Spirit, or else he will not continue to dwell in a willfull sinning and not repenting fully. Then you would be left up to the error of you ways and the consequences of your actions. What does it profit one, to gain the whole world and their soul is not right with Almighty God. One lie continues from High School then college. I hope you see the pattern here. It is not too late to make things right. Your choice."
This seems very harsh but I was wondering if it holds truth or not. At first I was sure I had to drop out but I'm sure I was dishonest at times in middle school, by this logic I would have to deny the dact that I was educated up to 8th grade! My parents and peers would be very surprised and upset with me if I gave it all up and even my christian brother who I have confided in says to just keep going and that I have been made clean by the blood of Jesus and not cheat again. I am at a loss guys. Please help a fellow christian brother for I have already cried out to Jesus and prayer and asked for forgiveness and guidance and now I call to all of you