03.03.13 The 11th Snare that Causes Some Seemingly God-Fearing People to Succumb to Corruption

11. Wicked Mindset

A wicked mindset can cause a person to become corrupt.  That is why Proverbs 17:23 links bribery with wickedness when it says: A wicked man accepts a bribe behind the back to pervert the ways of justice.    

Wickedness refers to a mindset that overlooks righteousness, justice, truth, honor and good character amongst other qualities; resorting to evil thoughts and intentions against workmates, clients, employers and others.  Such a person can make an environment so toxic that stakeholders ‘thank God’ when such a person does not turn up for work!  Even God notes it as shown in Genesis 6:5 (AMP): The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughtsof his heart were only evil continually.  He got so fed up with such people that he preferred that they were not there!.  That is how bad that can get!

Daudi’s heart was not so far from that of the wicked people of that time; considering how he wished failure for his cousins living overseas.  His desire for wealth was rooted in wickedness.  And, as money, power, education, position and influence continued to mingle with his wickedness, he eventually stooped as low as exploiting the poor that had voted him into a position of authority, rather than protecting their interests; by enticing a desperate old man to sell his expansive farmland for ‘peanuts’.  No wonder Proverbs 28:15 says that (NIV): Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a poor people.