03.05.15 The 13th Practice for Avoiding Corruption

13. Make the Effort to Disconnect from the Vice

Corruption is so addictive a vice that once one gets hooked to it, breaking the habit could be an uphill task.  That explains why some officials find themselves being repeatedly pulled into a corruptive dealing, claiming that ‘they could not help themselves’. 

Refraining from fraudulent engagements must be an intentional act; where you purposely defy your natural (ungodly) desires; and, command your five senses to repel corruption.  Ephesians 4:22 explains this to the dot.  That scripture reads (ESV): Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.  Notice that it is you to do the ‘putting off’!

One of the things that could strengthen your resolve is to persistently remind yourself how disappointed God would be if you were to participate in corruptive activities; and, the aftermaths that could follow if you gave in.  Such a consciousness will make it much easier for you to disentangle yourself from the vice.

That said, it is highly recommended that you change ‘now’ rather than postponing to ‘tomorrow’.  There are a couple of reasons for this.  First, you have not signed a guarantee that you will be here tomorrow.  Many people procrastinated the decision to come clean but their ‘tomorrows’ never came!  Proverbs 27:1 warns us.  It reads (NKJV): Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.  So you do not want God to find you on the wrong side of the fence!  Second, as you continue dilly-dallying with time, the authorities could catch you in the act…  The world is full of stories relating how notoriously corrupt officers were tracked by investigators undercover, until the suspects fell into the nets that the pursuers had laid. 

Therefore, disconnect yourself from corruption ‘now’, before it is too late.  Proverbs 15:27 says that (NKJV): he who hatesbribes will live.  So, choose life.