LIE NO 6: In Nigeria, Christians cannot avoid paying and taking
bribes, God understands.
THE TRUTH: God’s standards are clear and unambiguous. He
hates bribes and expects us to shun it. God does not expect us to
conform; He wants us to stand out. He does not want us to be
overcome by the prevalent evil culture of bribery and corruption,
but wants us to overcome it.
Following are 5 steps each of us should take:
1. Make a firm commitment never to pay or take a bribe again,
regardless of the consequence. Paul endured two years in jail
rather than pay a bribe. Acts 24:24-27. Put plainly, a
commitment to totally shun paying and taking bribes will come
at a great cost, and God expects us to bear the cost. .
2. Encourage others to make the same commitment, network
with them and collaborate. To be effective, this “Integrity
Network” at the place of work, at sectoral/industrial level and in
communities, must transcend denominations. We must work
together regardless of our denominations. In fact, we should
expand the network to include colleagues of other faiths willing
to practice integrity. When the bible talks about righteousness
exalting a nation, the emphasis is on practice and lifestyle, not
denomination or faith.
3. Encourage your organization to adopt the “don’t give don’t
take principle” Contend for integrity in your sphere of influence.
Stand up against corruption. Speak up against it. Do it
prayerfully but firmly. Ps 15:1 & 4 Lord, who may go and find
refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill? 2
Anyone who 4 speaks out against sin, criticizes those
committing it, commends the faithful followers of the Lord,
keeps a promise even if it ruins him, Living Bible
4. Be willing to make the hard choices if that is the only way:
accept a “non-juicy” posting as a policeman or Customs Officer;
forgo promotions if need be; and ultimately, be ready to resign if
after spending sufficient time in prayer, you are convinced that
integrity and your job don’t go together.
5. Most pastors hardly ever rebuke bribery and corruption; much
less take concrete steps to ensure that corrupt money is not given
as tithes and offerings. If this is the order in your church,
prayerfully and respectfully but firmly demand that your Pastor
make changes. Many erroneously interpret this as judging God’s
servants; it is not. You are in fact helping him. Jesus would not
keep quiet in the face of evil. You can do this by referring the
Deacons, Elders, Assistant Pastors and the Senior Pastor to the
relevant posts on this Page. You can seek audience with your
Head of Department or whoever you relate with in church
leadership, politely communicate your concerns, and request that
it be relayed to the Senior Pastor. Don’t condone evil. Confront
it, albeit respectfully and prayerfully. 1 Tim 5:19 & 20 Never
admit any charge against an elder except on the evidence of two
or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke
them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
RSV
Will you enlist in God’s army to push for the realization of
Nigeria’s destiny?
Would you join an “Integrity Network”?
POSER: If habitual giving and taking of bribes will disqualify
from making heaven, will you make it?
SCRIPTURES
Mark 9:43-48 "If your hand does wrong, cut it off. Better live
forever with one hand than be thrown into the unquenchable
fires of hell with two! 45-46 If your foot carries you toward evil,
cut it off! Better be lame and live forever than have two feet that
carry you to hell. 47 "And if your eye is sinful, gouge it out.
Better enter the Kingdom of God half blind than have two eyes
and see the fires of hell, 48 where the worm never dies, and the
fire never goes out- Living Bible
Mark 9:43-50 (“These Lies Must Stop Translation) If getting
that contract requires a bribe, forgo it. If getting that deal needs
paying off the Contract Manager, forfeit the contract. Stop
receiving bribes even it means you have to cut down on a lot of
things and suffer some hardship. You may in fact have to quit a
job if the only way to continue is to keep paying or receiving
bribes. Don’t put your eternal life at risk by joining in this
prevalent way of life.
Acts 24:24-27 A few days later Felix came with Drusilla, his
legal wife, a Jewess. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told
them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned with
them about righteousness and self-control and the judgment to
come, Felix was terrified. "Go away for now," he replied, "and
when I have a more convenient time, I'll call for you again." 26
He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him
from time to time and talked with him. 27 Two years went by in
this way; then Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And
because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews, he left Paul in
chains. TLB
Rom 12:2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world,
but be a new and different person. Living Bible
Rom 12:2 (“These Lies Must Stop Translation”) Dear Nigerian
Christian, don’t copy the behavior and customs of Nigeria,
particularly the pervasive culture of bribery and corruption. You
cannot really please God until you are different from the average
Nigerian by taking a firm stand against bribery and corruption in
every form.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I desire to please you. Help me to
overcome this plague of bribery and corruption in Jesus name.
God make me a part of your army of integrity to fulfill Nigeria’s
destiny in Jesus name. Amen.

Res.