‘’You must never twist justice or show partiality. Never accept a bribe, for bribes blind the eyes of the wise and corrupt the decisions of the godly’’ - Deuteronomy 16:19 (NLT)
“The Great Wall of China is a gigantic structure which cost an immense amount of money and labour. When it was finished, it appeared impregnable. But the enemy breached it. Not by breaking it down or going around it. They did it by bribing the gatekeepers.”—H. E. Fosdick
There are many corrupt gatekeepers everywhere in our world today. These people have clearly demonstrated that they can be bought or influenced to do anything for a reward. "Everyone has a price", is their slogan and they are always eager to play the cards once the price offered is reasonable or good enough for them. Like those Chinese gatekeepers, they don’t care if everyone else is going to suffer as long as they get a sizable chunk of the reward into their own pockets. It is obvious that these gatekeepers' moral uprightness and integrity is questionable. What a greedy, selfish and corrupt generation?
‘’But they were not like their father, for they were greedy for money. They accepted bribes and perverted justice’’ - 1 Samuel 8:3 (NLT)
Bribery and corruption carries some grave consequences (Proverbs 15:27). Yes, it does. It may provide instant gratification for a while, but it will lead to irreparable destruction at the end. According to Job 15:34, everything gathered through dishonesty and corruption will eventually end up as fuel in the fire on earth. If Hophni and Phinehas had known this fact, they would not have opened the gate for the enemies to enter into their lives and father’s Ministry sheepishly in Shiloh (1 Samuel 2:13-36). Unfortunately, they did and everyone in Shiloh watched as the same wall and gate they were meant to safe guard fell on them suddenly and crushed them to death (1 Samuel 4:10-14). They never lived to enjoy the gain of their dishonest dealings.
‘’For the godless are barren. Their homes, enriched through bribery, will burn’’- Job 15:34 (NLT)
Friends, are you one of those corrupt Chinese Gatekeepers in town? Do you have a price? What is your price? How much can someone pay you to make you compromise your integrity? How many times have you allowed the Great Wall of China around you to be broken through because of greed. Why not repent before your cup is full? When the cups of Hophni and Phinehas became full, they were not given a second chance. Likewise, you may not be given a second chance too. Please repent today.
Please avoid anything that would destroy or damage your gate of integrity. Safe guard your integrity with everything within you. If you must lose anything in life, please don't ever lose your integrity. If you lose your money or property, you can get it back. Even, if you lose your job, you can get a better one. But if you lose your integrity, you have lost everything. Yes, it may take years to build a reputation of integrity, but it takes only a second to lose it. A single act of dishonesty, can destroy a lifetime of integrity.
This wonderful poem below describes what a man of integrity stands for. According to the poet, a man of integrity is honest, respectable, impeccable and most importantly have a relationship with God. That struck a cord in my heart! Beloved, will you like to be a man of integrity? Men of integrity are rare in our world today. So, will you like to be among those very rare gems in your generation? Then, you must surrender your life to Jesus Christ and walk with God everyday till you see Him in glory like Enoch (Genesis 5:24) .
INTEGRITY AND HONOUR by Sun Princess
Some men are not pretentious
They have integrity and honour
I admire these men most greatly
They walk with God by their side
Someday I wish to have a friend
Like these men with character
Respectable, honest, impeccable,
only thing is they are very rare
Like a shiny dazzling diamond
So precious, flawless, and valuable
Integrity and honour are so beautiful
and some men have it absolutely"
May God grant us grace to be numbered among those rare gems in our generation.
Good day and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
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