CENTRAL THOUGHT
Corruption is a capital challenge to the Christian face, that must be confronted and destroyed.
TEXT: 1 TIM. 6:5-14, 2 TIM. 2:1-8
INTRODUCTION:
In the days and times that we are in we can all attest to the fact that corruption is running rampant in the land. There is acute shortage of uprightness, probity, accountability, integrity, and honesty. And in return, corruption and other forms of vices are oversubscribed. From the office (private or public) to the schools, through the highways and into the temples, horrible habits and practices that connote corruption have taken roots. The Christian is daily confronted with this evil corruption. He is constantly under pressure to “play ball” or risk losing out. For the majority, corruption has become a way of life that cannot be avoided. But for us as Christians, it is a capital challenge that desires to put us at enmity with God. With determination, and by the heavenly provisions at our disposal, we must confront this giant standing on our way. Many have been knocked down, and some fatally wounded in the spirit, by the plague of corruption, but the ‘chosen generation” must show forth the praises of “Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Finally, it must be noted that corruption is not new or peculiar to any one nation alone, but what is clear is that it attracts God’s wrath (Gen. 6:8-12).
LESSON OBJECTIVES
- To explain the meaning of corruption.
- To list the different forms of corruption.
- To discuss how corruption affects Christians and the society.
- To explain how to fight corruption.
- To state the consequences of engaging in corrupt practices.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1) WHAT IS CORRUPTION? ISA. 59:3-4, 2 PET. 2:14-15
Corruption may be defined as being functionally defective in integrity, virtue, and moral principle. It also means inducement to wrong by improper or unlawful means, leading to a departure from the original, or from what is pure or correct. Corruption is any deviation from the written word of God, a decay of standard or any act of dishonesty. To corrupt means to change from good to bad (as in morals), to become tainted with improper or unlawful conduct, to be morally degenerate and perverted (lust), to be characterized by improper conduct as in bribery and selling of favors, to adulterate through the manipulation of contents, and to exhibit dishonesty in contracting and reporting transactions to the advantage of a personal interest or for a personal gratification.
QUESTION 2) LIST THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF CORRUPTION MAY TAKE.
Corruption is a virus that has political, economic, educational, social, religious, and general manifestations. Prominent among these are:
A.) BRIBERY: Which money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgement or conduct of a person in position of trust.
B.) EXTORTION: Which is the act of obtaining money or property by force, intimidation, or illegal power.
C.) PERVERSION: Which is the condition of being opposed to what is right or good or to be involved in indecent sexual behavior.
D.) IMPERSONATION: Which is to present a wrong identity for personal advantage or to facilitate a fraud.
E.) MALPRACTICE IN EXAMINATION: Malpractice and cheating (as a student, teacher, or parent).
F.) ELECTION RIGGING: (multiple voting, falsification of results, stuffing of ballot boxes, thuggery). G.) USE OF WRONG MEASURES AT SELLING POINTS: (fuel meters, grain measures, re-bagging and adulteration of products, etc.) to maximize illegal gains.
H.) OVER-INVOICING: (inflation of cost of goods purchased for personal advantage).
I.) BEING SENTIMENTAL IN DECISIONS: by overlooking basic rules and requirements, leading to mediocrity (as in ordinations, transfers, appointments).
J.) SUBSTANDARD EXECUTION OF PROJECTS: and paying or vouching for non-existing projects or programs.
K.) FALSIFICATION OF PERSONAL DATA: (age/income) for personal advantage.
QUESTION 3.) HOW DOES CORRUPTION AFFECT US AS CHRISTIANS?
If corruption is allowed to thrive unchallenged and without active vocal opposition, the negative effects of the Christian will be enormous. Even if we are able to stay above board, our daily lifestyle and our just struggle for advancement will be greatly hindered. The Christian in business will be faced with very stiff opposition from competitors who engage in sharp practices. This will tell on his profit margin, and he may eventually be frustrated if corruption is allowed to hold sway in that sector. The Christian consumer of a product will be affected by wrong measures and product adulteration ex. fake drugs, bad fuel etc. Also, poor execution of projects and paying money for non-existent ones will deprive our government of valuable resources that would have been channeled into better use. Both the Christian and the unbeliever will suffer the bad effects of bad roads, dry taps, ill-equipped schools and hospitals and general unemployment. Admission into schools becomes more difficult if corruption is not challenged. Obtaining success in examinations becomes the prerogative of the corrupt, and the mediocre will be considered the better. Furthermore, justice will be denied the innocent in a very corrupt society as the highest bidder will carry the day. Valuable resources that would have served better purposes will be channeled into the damages of corruption. Moreover, wrong hands will be in authority due to rigging and sentiment. Merit will be sacrificed for mediocrity and the end result will be a failed society where nothing works in a positive direction. The church will not be spared as wrong individuals will be ordained into leadership due to the influence of corrupt tendencies. This will breed, acrimony, schism, satanism, and strife in the body of Christ. Through the matured Christian may be spared of the onslaught of sexual perversion, his family members and siblings are at a higher risk of becoming victims. In conclusion, it can be said that corruption is a social virus, and no matter the form it takes. It starts like a drop, spreads by diffusion, permeates every fabric of the society, destroys the foundations of any super-structure, and leaves behind tales of sorrow, hardship, irritation, and spiritual drought. It is a giant every Christian must confront and defeat by determination, patience, and pains.
QUESTION 4) EXPLAIN HOW A CHRISTIAN CAN TAKE A STAND AGAINST CORRUPTION.
1 TIM. 6:6-8, PROV. 9:10, ECCL. 12:13-14, PS. 125:1- 2, 119:105, MATT. 6:33, JOHN 14:16-18, COL. 3:1-5, 1 THESS. 4:2.
To take a stand against corruption means to be fully persuaded and resolved to abstain from all the manifestations of corrupt tendencies. It will require more than personal discipline, silence, and material indifference to accomplish this. Corruption is a spiritual warfare. The weapons to counter it must not, therefore, be carnal in its entirety. Every Christian should display true and total reverence, deep respect, and recognition for God in his life affairs. Enthrone God in your life as king to whom we owe faithfulness. The place of choices is obvious. The word creates understanding, illuminates our rationality, and directs our paths. We must give heed to the true study of the word so that we can be equipped with functional knowledge of it. The Holy Spirit is also the believers’ partner in the fight against all sin. We must recognize His presence and listen to him. Furthermore, a prayerful life will keep us spiritually alert to the whims of the devil. On the personal angle, the Christian should put his priorities in proper order i.e. heaven first and other things thereafter. This will help at moments of crisis of selection (to do or not to do). The virtue of contentment with the present state (even while working and aspiring for higher grounds) cannot be overstressed. It is a sign of appreciation and recognition of the sovereignty of God in our affairs. Let us go at His own pace, and not at the pace of the society. Furthermore, let us come to terms with the fact that the present existence is transient and that all material acquisitions cannot be carried over into eternity. “Hence having Food and raiment, let us therewith be content”. It is our extent of obedience that will commend us before God, not our material gains. Finally, the virtues of hard work, patience, love of God, hospitality and godliness are very primary factors if we can overcome the onslaught of corruption.
QUESTION 5) DISCUSS THE CONSEQUENCES OF ENGAGING IN CORRUPTION.
JER. 17:10-11, EX. 23:8, DEUT. 16:19, PROV. 16:25, 17:23
Riches not obtained by right means shall not bring fulfillment and satisfaction to the owner. It may be laden with entrapping of sorrow, as was the case between Naaman an Gehazi. It is against the word of God, and it amounts to disobedience to God if one engages in corruption. It brings about perversion or miscarriage of justice, where wrong is extolled and the right condemned. Anyone who engages in corruption loses fellowship with God and taints (or spoils) his personal testimony; and his identity as a Christian is tampered. Eventually, it leads to eternal damnation if there was no genuine repentance from such wickedness. Engaging in corrupt practices impeded (or hinders) the true blessings of God in the believer’s life and may open up avenue or in-roads for decay to set in one’s life and business activities. The corrupt hand is a bug and a parasite to the system. Instead of building he destroys, by milking the system dry. He leaves behind a legacy of greed and avarice for his successor. He leaves behind unemployment, mismanaged institutions, and an unstable economy. Finally, he will be devoid of inner peace and joy which accompanies fruits of labor.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
Complete prosperity and good success are God’s wishes for His children (3 John 2, Josh. 1:8) as long as we live in obedience to His will, we shall not be failures in life. Corruption is satan’s alternative to God’s prosperity and success. We must rise up to its challenges on daily basis, and say no to its contents, no matter how attractive. We must prepare our minds against corruption, speak against corruption, and flee corruption. Take the right step now and start to act beginning from your home.
MEMORY VERSE:
JAMES 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
MON: Set your affection on things above. Col. 3:1-5.
TUE: Pure and undefiled religion. James 1:25-27.
WED: Godliness with contentment. 1 Tim. 6:6-8.
THU: Unrighteous Judgement. Prov. 29:4, 17:23.
FRI: The Love of money- root of all evil. 1 Tim. 6:10-12.
SAT: God shall bring every work into judgement. Ecc. 12:13-14