In relation to my previous post about online romance scams, I meant no disrespect to those who have found themselves inadvertently involved in one. Generally speaking, scammers come looking for you and may hit up hundreds of potential marks with all manner of clever ways of drawing one in and overcoming scepticism in their kitbags.

The truth is, once someone is falling in love with their online 'date', the capacity for clear thinking and caution is clouded, as emotions become increasingly dominant. If you think someone is genuine then you will think and act as if they were. Very few people are exempt and it behoves us not to ridicule those who fall for the con. There but for the grace of God...

I was reading Proverbs 4 this morning and came across this sage advice:

'Above all, guard your heart,

For everything you do flows from it.' 4:23

It is worth reflecting upon what it means to 'guard your heart' and where not guarding it might lead. The modern world makes this all the more urgent as more and more people are trapped in loneliness with many looking for an easy escape, that right person, that 'if only' situation, a release from weariness. Online scammers prey upon such people and ruthlessly strip them of their dignity and their money. Be careful and guard your heart.