Those who Plot Evil Will be Exposed

“They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil.” Psalm 36:4 NLT

In a story titled, "Kipruto banned for 6 years in doping case" published yesterday, it was reported that Kenyan runner Rhonex Kipruto has been stripped of his world record in men’s 10-kilometer road racing and banned for six years in a doping case. A disciplinary panel ruled that abnormalities in Kipruto’s blood samples pointed to “a deliberate and sophisticated doping regime” and Kipruto likely had help from unknown third parties. At the time, he was aiming to qualify for the last Summer Olympics in Tokyo. The panel imposed a six-year ban because of what it deemed the “aggravating circumstances” in the case, up from a standard four-year doping ban. Kipruto was disqualified from all of his results since September 2018, meaning he loses a world championship bronze medal in the 10,000 meters from 2019 and his 10k road record from 2020. That record is set to pass to Ethiopian runner Berihu Aregawi. He ran 26 minutes, 33 seconds in the 10k last year, nine seconds slower than Kipruto’s time.... It is the latest in a long series of doping cases involving Kenyan distance runners. 

And you know, when it comes to finding help to devise a “deliberate and sophisticated” evil regime intent on deceit, it’s pretty clear that there’s no shortage of sinful people willing to cheat or to help others cheat because “there is no fear of God before their eyes.” These people are so hell bent on doing wrong that they even “lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots,” convinced that they will never face punishment for their actions. But, as this story shows and the Bible tells us, “The wicked will not go unpunished” forever “but those who are righteous will go free.”

So, no matter how tempting and easy (because of the help of others) it might be to cheat, don’t do it my friend. There’s nothing you and I can do in the dark that won’t eventually be brought to light and there’s no reward we can ever gain by deceit that’s worth sacrificing our integrity and ruining our witness. 

Heavenly Father, help us to always remain humble so that we would not seek to gain fame or fortune by cheating. Knowing how much disobedience discovered tarnishes our witness, help us to be people of integrity especially when no one else is looking. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!