repent for cheating in school?

[orange34]

Hi, I finished my first year of college and I’ve been struggling on and off with the sin of deceit for the past few months .


I’ve only read some books of in the new testament recently, but I’ve become convinced recently that all dishonesty/deceit is sinful (revelation 21:8 NIV & psalm 5:6 NIV).


I didn’t go to a local elementary school. My family sent me to a public elementary school in another location because they thought it had a better education. My parents used the address of another family even though I lived with my parents, so that I would be accepted. Thus, I went to that school dishonestly. Do I have to repent for my parents wrong doing? Do I have to tell the school of this and accept their punishment? Also, if I do need to repent for this, this lower school shaped the rest of my education and perhaps made me smarter then I should be (since it’s better than my local elementary school). So, if I stole that education, do I need to act less smart or something? Going to that school also helped me learn about another good school which I transferred to and gained advantages and knowledge from. Is that knowledge “stolen” and do I need to erase my mind of that knowledge? Do I need to find out which kids were rejected from these schools (meaning whose spot I took) and who I took knowledge “away” from and “repay” them like how Zaccheaus did in Luke 19 NIV or is that too much?


Also, since I shouldn’t have been allowed to that elementary school in the first place, is all the subsequent knowledge that I obtained built on my elementary school knowledge not obtained fairly then? For example is my further education or my ability to learn church prayers not obtained fairly or something? It sounds crazy, but do I need to repeat my education starting from lower school?


Also to get rid of all deceit in my life, I was thinking of telling every person in my life that I possibly was dishonest to them, and anything I might’ve said to him/her might not be true. Is this necessary? Then my plan is to be completely honest.


Up until this point, I’m sure that I haven’t been completely honest in my education, such as on assignments in college, high school, middle, or lower school. I think the only right thing to do is tell the schools of my dishonesty even if I can’t remember specific instances. They’re probably mainly small instances of cheating. I’m pretty sure it’s right to confess, but please let me know what you think.


All advice is welcome and may God be with you!

 

[salt-n-light]

Hi, I finished my first year of college and I’ve been struggling on and off with the sin of deceit for the past few months .


I’ve only read some books of in the new testament recently, but I’ve become convinced recently that all dishonesty/deceit is sinful (revelation 21:8 NIV & psalm 5:6 NIV).


I didn’t go to a local elementary school. My family sent me to a public elementary school in another location because they thought it had a better education. My parents used the address of another family even though I lived with my parents, so that I would be accepted. Thus, I went to that school dishonestly. Do I have to repent for my parents wrong doing? Do I have to tell the school of this and accept their punishment? Also, if I do need to repent for this, this lower school shaped the rest of my education and perhaps made me smarter then I should be (since it’s better than my local elementary school). So, if I stole that education, do I need to act less smart or something? Going to that school also helped me learn about another good school which I transferred to and gained advantages and knowledge from. Is that knowledge “stolen” and do I need to erase my mind of that knowledge? Do I need to find out which kids were rejected from these schools (meaning whose spot I took) and who I took knowledge “away” from and “repay” them like how Zaccheaus did in Luke 19 NIV or is that too much?


Also, since I shouldn’t have been allowed to that elementary school in the first place, is all the subsequent knowledge that I obtained built on my elementary school knowledge not obtained fairly then? For example is my further education or my ability to learn church prayers not obtained fairly or something? It sounds crazy, but do I need to repeat my education starting from lower school?


Also to get rid of all deceit in my life, I was thinking of telling every person in my life that I possibly was dishonest to them, and anything I might’ve said to him/her might not be true. Is this necessary? Then my plan is to be completely honest.


Up until this point, I’m sure that I haven’t been completely honest in my education, such as on assignments in college, high school, middle, or lower school. I think the only right thing to do is tell the schools of my dishonesty even if I can’t remember specific instances. They’re probably mainly small instances of cheating. I’m pretty sure it’s right to confess, but please let me know what you think.


All advice is welcome and may God be with you!

Sounds commendable that you have this desire , but this is how I see it, and it would be good to ask yourself this question. What is the end goal?

Is it to clear your conscious? Is it because you see as a stumbling block in your faith with unresolved issues? Are you trying to show to others that you are now an honest person? Are you seeking forgiveness from them? Are you seeking your due penalty from them?

Everyday I’m living a life that is full of mercy and grace, and if I was to spend time to try to go back and rectify it, I can never be able to.Sometimes we can self-guilt to the point of trying to fix every flaw, when we bypass theme fact that all we need is a repentant heart. Which you have. The best way to squash the dishonesty in the past, to honor the mercy that have be granted,is to just live honestly now. That’s how your love for others is perfected, not just by identifying the wrong and rights in speech, but to actually live a life that is honorable.

 

[tdidymas]

Hi, I finished my first year of college and I’ve been struggling on and off with the sin of deceit for the past few months .


I’ve only read some books of in the new testament recently, but I’ve become convinced recently that all dishonesty/deceit is sinful (revelation 21:8 NIV & psalm 5:6 NIV).


I didn’t go to a local elementary school. My family sent me to a public elementary school in another location because they thought it had a better education. My parents used the address of another family even though I lived with my parents, so that I would be accepted. Thus, I went to that school dishonestly. Do I have to repent for my parents wrong doing? Do I have to tell the school of this and accept their punishment? Also, if I do need to repent for this, this lower school shaped the rest of my education and perhaps made me smarter then I should be (since it’s better than my local elementary school). So, if I stole that education, do I need to act less smart or something? Going to that school also helped me learn about another good school which I transferred to and gained advantages and knowledge from. Is that knowledge “stolen” and do I need to erase my mind of that knowledge? Do I need to find out which kids were rejected from these schools (meaning whose spot I took) and who I took knowledge “away” from and “repay” them like how Zaccheaus did in Luke 19 NIV or is that too much?


Also, since I shouldn’t have been allowed to that elementary school in the first place, is all the subsequent knowledge that I obtained built on my elementary school knowledge not obtained fairly then? For example is my further education or my ability to learn church prayers not obtained fairly or something? It sounds crazy, but do I need to repeat my education starting from lower school?


Also to get rid of all deceit in my life, I was thinking of telling every person in my life that I possibly was dishonest to them, and anything I might’ve said to him/her might not be true. Is this necessary? Then my plan is to be completely honest.


Up until this point, I’m sure that I haven’t been completely honest in my education, such as on assignments in college, high school, middle, or lower school. I think the only right thing to do is tell the schools of my dishonesty even if I can’t remember specific instances. They’re probably mainly small instances of cheating. I’m pretty sure it’s right to confess, but please let me know what you think.


All advice is welcome and may God be with you!

How old are you? Have you completed High School? If so, then perhaps the high school might rescind your diploma, then you would need to get a G.E.D. to prove your education level. But what can they do about elementary school? They can't take your knowledge away from you.

You cannot repent from your parents' sins, you can only repent from your own. At the time you had no choice in the matter, it was something your parents did, therefore you aren't responsible for that. But if you go confess something like that, then that might cause some repercussions you don't want, like harming your parents. If the school board gets wind that your parents committed fraud, they could bring a lawsuit against them. You really don't want to open up a can of worms like that, do you? Love covers a multitude of sins, and if you love your parents, then don't do what could bring them harm.

To be honest about this, you can confess it privately like you did here. But I advise not to take it any further. If you are ready to confess it if asked about it by someone who knows, then that is honesty enough. "Leaving what lies behind, I press on..." - you don't need to confess anything to anyone who has no vested interest in it. Just repent from doing wrong in the future and go forward. Repentance is an ongoing attitude of submission to God. You cannot fix the past, so let it go.
TD

 

[orange34]

Thank you for the replies. The problem I feel is that I feel that I'll be living in a lie. I'm currently in college and I got to this point based on my grades in high school, middle school, etc.. When I'm continuing my college education and not telling the schools, isn't it deceiving them saying "i truly earned my grades up till now", even though I did some small cheating?

I feel like it's a problem because if I don't deserve to be in this college then I'm taking the spot away from someone else who can transfer to my school and/or someone who was rejected initially in the college admission process.

My dad says that like the past grades are in the past, but I feel like they can still hurt others if I don't confess them.

 

[Invalidusername]

Thank you for the replies. The problem I feel is that I feel that I'll be living in a lie. I'm currently in college and I got to this point based on my grades in high school, middle school, etc.. When I'm continuing my college education and not telling the schools, isn't it deceiving them saying "i truly earned my grades up till now", even though I did some small cheating?

I feel like it's a problem because if I don't deserve to be in this college then I'm taking the spot away from someone else who can transfer to my school and/or someone who was rejected initially in the college admission process.

My dad says that like the past grades are in the past, but I feel like they can still hurt others if I don't confess them.

There are some people far more under qualified than you at college now... lol

Now I understand what happened was wrong but I know there are some far more undeserving people than you that have a slot in college so I wouldn't fret about earning it. I suggest you talk to your parents about what they did and how you feel about it.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hi, I finished my first year of college and I’ve been struggling on and off with the sin of deceit for the past few months .


I’ve only read some books of in the new testament recently, but I’ve become convinced recently that all dishonesty/deceit is sinful (revelation 21:8 NIV & psalm 5:6 NIV).


I didn’t go to a local elementary school. My family sent me to a public elementary school in another location because they thought it had a better education. My parents used the address of another family even though I lived with my parents, so that I would be accepted. Thus, I went to that school dishonestly. Do I have to repent for my parents wrong doing? Do I have to tell the school of this and accept their punishment? Also, if I do need to repent for this, this lower school shaped the rest of my education and perhaps made me smarter then I should be (since it’s better than my local elementary school). So, if I stole that education, do I need to act less smart or something? Going to that school also helped me learn about another good school which I transferred to and gained advantages and knowledge from. Is that knowledge “stolen” and do I need to erase my mind of that knowledge? Do I need to find out which kids were rejected from these schools (meaning whose spot I took) and who I took knowledge “away” from and “repay” them like how Zaccheaus did in Luke 19 NIV or is that too much?


Also, since I shouldn’t have been allowed to that elementary school in the first place, is all the subsequent knowledge that I obtained built on my elementary school knowledge not obtained fairly then? For example is my further education or my ability to learn church prayers not obtained fairly or something? It sounds crazy, but do I need to repeat my education starting from lower school?


Also to get rid of all deceit in my life, I was thinking of telling every person in my life that I possibly was dishonest to them, and anything I might’ve said to him/her might not be true. Is this necessary? Then my plan is to be completely honest.


Up until this point, I’m sure that I haven’t been completely honest in my education, such as on assignments in college, high school, middle, or lower school. I think the only right thing to do is tell the schools of my dishonesty even if I can’t remember specific instances. They’re probably mainly small instances of cheating. I’m pretty sure it’s right to confess, but please let me know what you think.


All advice is welcome and may God be with you!

You are not responsible for the actions of your parents. You can read Ezekiel 18 to see this. Feeling like your knowledge is stolen, is not valid, nor real, God will not hold you to account over your learning. God's grace is big, really big.

 

[tdidymas]

Thank you for the replies. The problem I feel is that I feel that I'll be living in a lie. I'm currently in college and I got to this point based on my grades in high school, middle school, etc.. When I'm continuing my college education and not telling the schools, isn't it deceiving them saying "i truly earned my grades up till now", even though I did some small cheating?

I feel like it's a problem because if I don't deserve to be in this college then I'm taking the spot away from someone else who can transfer to my school and/or someone who was rejected initially in the college admission process.

My dad says that like the past grades are in the past, but I feel like they can still hurt others if I don't confess them.

Many of us felt like we were living a lie at some time or another for some reason. Believe me, I would have traded your lie for mine any day.

Talk to your parents about it and tell them how you feel about it.
TD

 

[LoricaLady]

Let it go. We have all done wrong things. The Father is merciful. It is enough that you don't want to be that way anymore. There are people who have done far, far worse things, like taking drugs, getting an abortion, adultery and on and on. They got forgiveness. You just need to ask for forgiveness and trust that you got it.

 

[LoricaLady]

P.S. I worked in the local school system for years. If you went to your old elementary school with tears of repentance do you know how they are likely to feel? Either amused or irritated that you brought up something from so long and that, Heaven forbid, might cause some kind of paperwork and annoying administrative actions. They really wouldn't care as it is water under the bridge. And you can be sure, they too, have done things at least that bad that THEY aren't bringing up. Let it go.

 

[Kit Sigmon]

Hi, I finished my first year of college and I’ve been struggling on and off with the sin of deceit for the past few months .


I’ve only read some books of in the new testament recently, but I’ve become convinced recently that all dishonesty/deceit is sinful (revelation 21:8 NIV & psalm 5:6 NIV).


I didn’t go to a local elementary school. My family sent me to a public elementary school in another location because they thought it had a better education. My parents used the address of another family even though I lived with my parents, so that I would be accepted. Thus, I went to that school dishonestly. Do I have to repent for my parents wrong doing? Do I have to tell the school of this and accept their punishment? Also, if I do need to repent for this, this lower school shaped the rest of my education and perhaps made me smarter then I should be (since it’s better than my local elementary school). So, if I stole that education, do I need to act less smart or something? Going to that school also helped me learn about another good school which I transferred to and gained advantages and knowledge from. Is that knowledge “stolen” and do I need to erase my mind of that knowledge? Do I need to find out which kids were rejected from these schools (meaning whose spot I took) and who I took knowledge “away” from and “repay” them like how Zaccheaus did in Luke 19 NIV or is that too much?

Your parents responsible for their own sins.
You didn't steal education...you were taught/you learned and made the passing grounds yourself.

Zacchaeus, actual ripped off the people, that is why he repaid the money that
he stole.



Also, since I shouldn’t have been allowed to that elementary school in the first place, is all the subsequent knowledge that I obtained built on my elementary school knowledge not obtained fairly then? For example is my further education or my ability to learn church prayers not obtained fairly or something? It sounds crazy, but do I need to repeat my education starting from lower school?

You aren't guilty of wrong-doing, stop trying to impart wrong-doing to yourself.


Also to get rid of all deceit in my life, I was thinking of telling every person in my life that I possibly was dishonest to them, and anything I might’ve said to him/her might not be true. Is this necessary? Then my plan is to be completely honest.



Up until this point, I’m sure that I haven’t been completely honest in my education, such as on assignments in college, high school, middle, or lower school. I think the only right thing to do is tell the schools of my dishonesty even if I can’t remember specific instances. They’re probably mainly small instances of cheating. I’m pretty sure it’s right to confess, but please let me know what you think.


All advice is welcome and may God be with you!

Surrender to God... abide in Him and He will make you into a godly man.
The Lord imparts his righteousness to those who sought Him for salvation
and they obey God's Word and walk humbly with Him.

The example be in God's Word... Zacchaeus repented of stealing from the
people he'd over taxed and he repaid the people he'd ripped off
over the years.

 

[LoricaLady]

I was thinking back over my years in the local school system. It is not at all unusual for parents to give a false address in order to get their children into a preferred school. Let's say a child is in the 5th and 6th grade under those circumstances, and the school finds out about it. What do you think happens? Do you think they say "Oh, no! Your child's education here was under false pretenses, sorry but he has to start over elsewhere in the 4th grade"? No, they simply tell the parents that the child has to go his legitimate school at the same grade level he or she was in. I have never heard of any parents receiving legal action for their actions, either.

Again, if it is a situation from the past, they really don't care. They deal with the here and now in their schools knowing that things won't go perfect in any areas.

And btw I moved out of my own home at 16 and lived in the YWCA, in another city, during my senior year, giving a false (my mother's home), address to my school. I have no guilt feelings about that whatsoever and sure ain't gonna give them back my diploma!

 

[discipler7]

I feel like it's a problem because if I don't deserve to be in this college then I'm taking the spot away from someone else who can transfer to my school and/or someone who was rejected initially in the college admission process.

.
"It takes two to tango."

A good Elementary school means naught to a bad and lazy student.
A good Elementary school means something to a good and hard-working student.

A bad Elementary school means naught to a good and hard-working student.
A good or bad Elementary school means naught to a bad and lazy student.

So, you got into college mainly based on you being a good and hard-working student, not mainly based on the good Elementary school.

Rich parents pay $$$ to get their kids into good private Elementary schools. Are they cheating/lying as well.?

Good parents love their kids and want to give them a good start in education.

Why are there bad Elementary schools.? Bad neighborhoods.?

Of course, parents using false addresses to get their kids into good Elementary schools should not be encouraged but they may have good or justifiable reasons for doing so.
....... Good Elementary schools only tell half the story, ie the students need to be good and hard-working as well.

 

[Inkfingers]

Up until this point, I’m sure that I haven’t been completely honest...

I suspect that most of us are aware of that. Maybe consider what your deceit leads to, repent of it, and live a life that is a blend of honesty and discretion (so that you speak the truth but know also when to keep silent)...