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Corruption can be defined as dishonesty for personal gain, moral degradation or depravity.\u00a0 Corruption comes in various forms and shades in our society; hence it is not a strange phenomenon.\u00a0 It has become a canker worm that has eaten into the fabric of our society.\u00a0 It has permeated all aspects of our society, secular, politics, religion, etc.\u00a0 Some people in the church are living for pleasure and personal gain without morals and not thinking of pleasing God due to pressure or modernism.<\/p>\n
It is disheartening to know that even the church that should be a light, and example of Christ to the unsaved world, has been infected with this \u2018plague\u2019 of corruption.\u00a0 Examples abound of how the church has compromised its sanctity by giving in to one form of corrupt practice or the other.\u00a0 This brings the saying that today\u2019s church has become worldly while the world has become \u2018churchy\u2019 describing similarities in conduct, behavior and actions of Christians and the unbelievers.<\/p>\n
This study sets out to address what the attitude of the Christians should be towards corruption.<\/p>\n
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Corruption did not start today, as we have instances in Scriptures of corrupt practices.\u00a0 In Genesis 6:11, the earth was corrupted before God and was filled with iniquity.\u00a0 Moses was mindful of the tendency of the Israelites to practice corruption and abandon the God of Israel.\u00a0 To curb this he handed over to them God\u2019s statutes and judgments which they were to observe in the land, which God was to give them, Deuteronomy 12:1.<\/p>\n
In Deuteronomy 16:18-20, judges were to be appointed, who were instructed to give just judgment.\u00a0 They were not to pervert the cause of justice as a result of favoritism, taking of bribes or gifts or show any form of partiality based on relationships.\u00a0 Care must also be taken not to practice idolatrous customs of unbelievers.<\/p>\n
A major form of corruption in our society today is when judges and those in position to decide the fate of others take bribes to pervert justice.\u00a0 In some instances, the innocent who could not afford a named \u2018price\u2019 are jailed, and even executed, while the criminal is set free and allowed maximum freedom because they have the wherewithal to pay and buy their freedom.<\/p>\n
Samuel\u2019s sons, Joel and Abiah were made judges over Israel by their father, 1 Samuel 8:1-3, and the consequences were grievous. They took bribes and perverted judgment and did not walk in the ways of their father.<\/p>\n
When we make people leaders who God has not made, because of family relationships (spouses, relatives, children of presidents and founders are made leaders to take over), the consequences cannot be different. \u00a0Even if the consequences are not obvious to men, there must be some spiritual consequence. Hence, leaders must depend on directives and instruction from God so that we may not be found wanting at His appearing, 1 Corinthians 4:2.<\/p>\n
Giving false witness is a common corrupt practice in our society, 1 Kings 21:11-14.\u00a0 These days, there are professionally paid witnesses who are hired and briefed to testify in court, just to pervert justice.\u00a0\u00a0 Some of these persons are in the church.\u00a0 A more subtle form of false witness is giving\/repeating a hearsay statement\/evidence while embellishing it to sound interesting to the hearers, to the detriment of another person.\u00a0 Christians must be bold to say only what they heard, saw and felt, witnessed, and be careful of repeated speeches or hearsay.<\/p>\n
Felix in Acts 24 expected Paul to give him money that he might set him free, hence he sent for Paul more often.\u00a0 When you have a duty and know what to do but you expect money to exchange hands before doing it that is corruption.\u00a0 This is a common sight in our offices, where a messenger expects to be given money before moving a file to the next table and when money is not offered, the \u2018victim\u2019 is made to repeat his visit to that office several times as punishment for failing to part with the money.<\/p>\n
In Ecclesiastes wickedness and iniquity were found in the place of fairness and justice.\u00a0 This abuse of power would definitely affect the quality of the judgment and result in the oppression of the less privileged.<\/p>\n
From the definition of corruption adopted in the introduction to this discussion, Ananias and Sapphira of Acts 5, were corrupt, since they conspired to be dishonest by keeping back part of the price of their sold possessions for personal gain.\u00a0 In as much as they were not forced to sell their land, nor forced to bring the proceeds, they should have been bold enough to say the amount the property was sold and that they agreed to keep part for themselves.<\/p>\n
Agreeing to lie or conspire to do evil as a result of personal gain and interest would go for corruption.\u00a0 This is because most corrupt practices would require a lie to cover up an illegal act.<\/p>\n
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a. Bribery: The word bribery is from the word bribe, which means a gift offered to persuade or unlawfully induce a person to do something usually dishonest.\u00a0 It is a gift in a corrupt sense, Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19.\u00a0 It is a sin to give and take bribes, Psalms 26:9-10; Proverbs 17:23, 28:21.<\/span><\/p>\n Some years ago bribes were given in secret and accepted in a sanctimonious way.\u00a0 It was a grievous offence to be seen to have given or taken a bribe.\u00a0 This is in gross contradiction to today\u2019s practice where illegal fees are publicly taken without fear and more or less legalized are some cases, returns from the collected bribes goes to superiors who are in the position to checkmate such practices.\u00a0 No one could accuse prophet Samuel of collecting any bribe, 1 Samuel 12:3-4.\u00a0 As Christians we should not be corrupted by these worldly tendencies.\u00a0 If we walk righteously God will bless us, Isaiah 33:15-16.<\/p>\n The decadence in terms of bribery has gotten to the extent that even children now offer money to beat queue to secure a favor, etc.<\/p>\n The effect of this in society cannot be over emphasized.\u00a0 To mention but a few, our universities turn out half-baked graduates, who have not acquired skills and some cannot even write simple and correct letters.\u00a0 This is because they paid their way through school.\u00a0 The desire for hard work is not encouraged as results are achieved fast by cutting corners.\u00a0 People crave to get money at all cost.\u00a0 Like Judas many take bribes to conveniently betray Jesus, Matthew14:11, and this is displeasing to God, Ezekiel 22:12-13.\u00a0 Those that give or take reward to assassinate others are cursed, Deuteronomy 27:25, Esther 3:9.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n b. False Measure: False measure is any measurement that is not true, or not correct.\u00a0 God specifically instructed His people not to use false measure and was angry with those that practiced the use of false measure, Leviticus 19:35-36; Deuteronomy 25:13-16.<\/p>\n False measurement is a common sight of dishonesty and deceitful practices in commerce and trade.\u00a0 Traders construct deceitful measuring instruments so that it is turned at one end more than the other.\u00a0 The Scriptures say it is an abomination unto the Lord, Amos 8:5; Proverbs 11:1, 20:10, 23.<\/p>\n A false balance is an unjust and fraudulent practice in dealing with any person deceitfully.\u00a0 It is deception because it is under the color of doing right whereas there is cheating and fraud.<\/p>\n It is also common to see trader manufacture designer labels and attach to their inferior goods in a bid to make more gain.\u00a0 The list of example of false measurement cannot be exhausted.<\/p>\n However, the use of false measures has a long lasting negative effect, Proverbs 20:17.\u00a0 The integrity of the trader is put in doubt, loss of integrity, loss of a customer, because it is only a fool that would know they are being cheated and still patronize the same trader.<\/p>\n Above all, it affects an individual\u2019s relationship with God and finally would cost the unrepentant sinner heaven.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n c. Malpractice: The word malpractice means illegal, corrupt, unethical or careless professional behavior.\u00a0 It is also a violation of trust or justice.\u00a0 Examination malpractice therefore means any illegal act done before, during or after an examination.\u00a0 This can also be regarded as cheating and it is done to deceive the examiner.<\/p>\n These days examination malpractices come in various ways, ranging from leaking of examination papers before the examination starts or attempting to bribe the invigilators before, during or after the examination.\u00a0 In some cases the examiners demand a bribe and in some instances a school arranges to settle the examiners so as to compromise the examination process.\u00a0 Parents are not left out as some pay heavy amounts to register their children in \u201cmiracle centers\u201d, centers where malpractice prevails.\u00a0 Some parents even arrange aids for their children.\u00a0 At higher institutions, stories abound of students copying in the examination hall, offering their bodies or money to lecturers before or after the examination.<\/p>\n The effect of examination malpractice will definitely affect the integrity of the individual and eventually the society as a whole.\u00a0 Such an individual cannot work hard, has to go through short cuts and such persons are mediocre, without self-confidence.<\/p>\n As Christians we should not build by unrighteousness, Jeremiah 22:13.<\/p>\n d. Electoral Offence: The word offence means an act that breaks a law or rule.\u00a0 Electoral offences therefore are all acts done before, during or after the election that break the law or rule of the land.\u00a0 It entails general rigging, buying of voters, cards, snatching of ballot boxes, violence, alteration of election results in favor of a person or party that did not win, godfatherism, to mention a few.<\/span><\/p>\n It is important to note that the above named vices are not committed by unbelievers alone, but even Christians who are leaders and carry all manners of titles are involved.\u00a0 Corruption in an election is a great enemy of freedom.<\/p>\n The effect of this is detrimental to the general good of the society, as men who are not fit for positions are appointed and the after effect is bad leadership and consequences arising therefrom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Corruption is a canker worm that has eaten up into our society and the church is unfortunately not exempted from it.\u00a0 However, we as believers must let our lights shine everywhere and always.\u00a0 We must indeed be the salt of our world and decide to live right, do the right things, and rebuke evil even if it means that we are standing alone.\u00a0 The place of prayers for our nation, asking God to restore and heal our land, is very important.\u00a0 Believers should desist from talking ill of our nation but should get into the habit of praying regularly and speaking well about our nation.\u00a0 Let us do what we can do to rebuild our nation and let God do for us those things we cannot do.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Deuteronomy 16:19 \u2013 \u201cThou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift; for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Christian in a Corrupt World (Part 1) Central Thought: The believer should always do the right thing even if it means standing alone. Text: Ecclesiastes 3:16-17, 7:7; Acts 24:24-27, Deuteronomy 16:19-20 Introduction: Corruption can be defined as dishonesty for personal gain, moral degradation or depravity.\u00a0 Corruption comes in various forms and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sundayschool"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=394"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":396,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/394\/revisions\/396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mzgtiglobal.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Daily Living Application:<\/h3>\n
Memory Verse:<\/h3>\n