03.05.11 The 9th Practice for Avoiding Corruption

9. Be Cautious

Did you know that not every person caught in corruption is actually ‘corrupt’ at heart?  In fact, you may be surprised to find that some officials were just waylaid into corruption, unawares.  They let down their guard…, they relaxed…!  Before they could wake up, they had already signed documents they should never have signed and cleared payments that were fraudulent.  Others trusted people without doing due diligence first, not knowing that they were opening doors to wolves in sheep’s skin.  But 2 Chronicles 19:7 says (NKJV): “Now therefore, let the fear of the Lord be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”

Notice that the scripture says: ‘take care....’  letting us know that we must be alert and sensitive to situations, conditions and people whose intentions may be to drag us into corruptive engagements.  Remember that out there, the devil is roaming around like a roaring lion looking for whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8).  We should not be his next bait! 

By the way, malicious people could set you up just to get a kick out of seeing ‘God-fearing’ people defile themselves in public; and if you fall for it, you will become the topic!  Therefore, compromising should be out of the question; since corruption is sin.  ‘Sin is sin’ and there is no other name for it.  If God’s Word forbids something, it is forbidden.  If God does not like it, then why should we entertain it?  Why should we participate in it?  So, be proactive.  Avoid traps.  Once you suspect that someone is enticing you to participate in a corruptive activity, decline right away, without fear or favour. 

That said, some people fear ‘saying no’ to corruptive dealings, especially if a boss is involved.  But that is where you stop relying on your power or might, and engage the Holy Spirit to show you the wisest way to handle such a situation (Zechariah 4:6). 

Also, when starting a corruption-prone transaction with a client, check the person out without exposing yourself to risk.  What does the person’s Facebook or Instagram page reveal about his or her character? How about the person’s LinkedIn account?  When you type his or her name in a Google search, what is written about the client?  What is their reputation on social media?  We are to be as wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16), so do your due diligence undercover.  All in all, do not be ignorant.  Be relevantly informed and current.  Have the client’s profile on your fingertips.

In a nutshell, corrupt officials could target you off-guard.  Therefore, be alert twenty-four seven, rather than unduly trusting people as though they were your guardian angel.  That is what Jesus foresaw in Matthew 10:36 when he said (TLB): “… a man’s worst enemies will be right in his own home.”  So turn on your sixth sense so that you can know who is for your advancement or downfall regarding your anti-corruption agenda, amongst other things. 

Always keep copies of documents showing the deliberations agreed upon.  Preserve emails, SMS’ and WhatsApp messages.  Not only will that information keep your back covered; but it could bail you out of a ‘Catch-22’ situation one day.