Bribery and Corruption: What Do We Learn From the Bible?
Bribery and Corruption: Insights from Scripture
The Bible paints corruption as the antithesis of God’s perfect design for humanity and creation. When Adam and Eve sinned, their disobedience unleashed a wave of moral decay that has polluted our world ever since (Genesis 3). Corruption, described as “depraved” in Jeremiah 17:9, robs society of justice, righteousness, and trust.
Bribery as a Condemned Practice One of the clearest examples of corruption condemned in Scripture is bribery. Exodus 23:8 explicitly forbids it: “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.” Bribery distorts sound judgment, perverts justice, and grants unfair advantages. The prophet Isaiah rebuked those who “acquit the guilty for a bribe” (Isaiah 5:23).
Bribery subverts God’s moral order and standard for impartial justice (Deuteronomy 16:19). It erodes integrity and tramples on the poor and vulnerable. In the New Testament, Jesus condemned the religious leaders for being lovers of money, hinting at corrupting practices (Luke 16:14).
The Seriousness of Unchecked Corruption At its core, corruption rejects God’s sovereign authority over all areas of life. It caters to greed, dishonesty, and selfish ambition rather than operating with sincerity and truth (Joshua 24:14). Left unchecked, corruption infects society like “a little yeast working its way through the whole batch of dough” (1 Corinthians 5:6).
As salt and light, Christ’s followers are called to resist and expose corruption’s deadening influences (Matthew 5:13-16). We must be proactively modelling ethical behaviour that preserves justice and lives above reproach (Philippians 2:15). In governments, businesses, and daily living, upholding moral integrity honours God.
The Path of Righteousness While corruption promises empty shortcuts, God’s way leads to life, blessing, righteousness, and justice that will endure forever (Proverbs 16:8, 2 Peter 3:13). The remedy lies in repentance, renewal, and reliance on the Holy Spirit’s transformation to escape corruption’s snares (2 Peter 1:3-4).
As we align our lives to biblical ethics, generosity replaces greed, wisdom triumphs over foolish gain, and honesty rebuilds what sin has spoiled. Living with divine wisdom prevents the perils of illicit, underhanded behaviour (Psalm 119:104). Though the battle is arduous, God promises his blessing on those who abhor bribery and walk in obedient integrity (Psalm 26:10-12).
Related Reads:
Editor’s Pick
The Ordinary Means of Grace: Why Are They Indispensable?
9ORDINARY MEANS FOR EXTRAORDINARY TRANSFORMATION What if God's most powerful work in believers' lives happens through the most ordinary activities? [...]
Is the Bible God’s Word? Or Does It Only Contain God’s Word?
The authority of Scripture stands at the crossroads of modern Christianity. While some argue the Bible merely contains God’s Word [...]
Will We Remember This Life in Heaven? What Isaiah 65:17 Means
"Will I remember my spouse in heaven? My children? Will the joy we shared on earth matter in eternity?" These [...]
From Empty to Overflow: The Abundant Life Jesus Promised
(AND WHY YOU SHOULDN’T SETTLE FOR LESS) We're surviving, but are we thriving? If we're honest, there's a gap between [...]
What Does Jesus Save Us From?
THREE BIBLE TRUTHS ABOUT SALVATION "Jesus saves." We’ve seen it on bumper stickers, heard it shouted at sporting events, maybe [...]
If God Wants Everyone Saved, Why Aren’t They?
^THE REFORMED VIEW ON GOD’S DESIRE VS HIS DECREE The question haunts every believer who has lost an unbelieving loved [...]
The One Man Mystery in Acts 17:26: Is It Adam Or Noah?
When the Apostle Paul stood before the philosophers at Mars Hill, he delivered an insightful statement about human unity: “And [...]
Megiddo Or Jerusalem: Where Did King Josiah Die?
Recent archaeological discoveries at Tel Megiddo continue to reveal evidence of Egyptian military presence during the late 7th century BC, [...]
Losing Your Life Vs Wasting It: How Are the Two Different?
AND WHY DID JESUS PRAISE THE FORMER? Jesus spoke one of the most perplexing statements in Scripture: “For whoever wants [...]
Can Christians Be Demon Possessed? What the Bible Teaches
Perhaps you’ve witnessed disturbing behavior in a professing Christian, or you’ve struggled with persistent sin and wondered if something darker [...]
