Bribery is a corrupt practice that the Bible condemns. It undermines justice and integrity. Today, we’ll see what Scripture says about avoiding bribes and pursuing righteousness in all things.
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What Does The Bible Say About Bribes
Deuteronomy 16:19
“Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity and impartiality in the pursuit of justice. Accepting a bribe distorts judgment and compromises fairness, leading to injustice.
It serves as a reminder that God desires a society where justice is not swayed by personal gain, and where the truth can prevail without bias or corruption.
Proverbs 17:23
“The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice.”
This verse exposes the deceitful behavior of the wicked who resort to accepting bribes in order to pervert justice. It highlights the wrongdoing and immorality of such actions which undermine the integrity of the legal system.
God desires a society where justice is pursued with righteousness and without compromise, and this verse serves as a warning against the damaging consequences of corrupt practices.
Proverbs 18:16
“A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.”
This verse sheds light on the misguided perception of the one giving a bribe, who sees it as a means to guarantee success and achieve their desired outcomes. However, this perception is flawed and delusional.
God calls us to trust in His provision and to rely on His guidance rather than resorting to deceitful and corrupt means to achieve our goals.
Proverbs 21:14
“A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.”
This verse portrays the temporary solution that a bribe can offer by soothing anger and pacifying wrath. However, it is important to recognize that the underlying issues and injustices are not truly resolved by such actions.
God desires true reconciliation and justice, not the temporary appeasement that a bribe may provide.
Ecclesiastes 7:7
“Extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.”
This verse warns about the transformative and corrupting nature of accepting bribes. Even a wise person can be led astray by the allure of personal gain at the expense of justice and righteousness.
God calls us to remain steadfast in our integrity and to resist the temptation of self-interest and corruption.
Isaiah 1:23
“Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.”
This verse condemns the leaders who embrace corruption and prioritize personal gain over upholding justice and protecting the vulnerable. It exposes the hypocrisy and moral decay within the leadership.
God calls leaders to be just, compassionate, and impartial, defending the rights of the marginalized instead of succumbing to the allure of bribes.
Isaiah 33:15
“Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil.”
This verse describes the characteristics of those who are committed to righteousness and justice. They refuse to engage in corrupt practices, including accepting bribes, and actively distance themselves from evil intentions.
God calls us to follow the example of these righteous individuals, to stand against injustice, and to pursue what is right even when tempted by personal gain.
Ezekiel 22:12
“In you, they take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and make a profit from the poor. You extort unjust gain from your neighbors. And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
This verse highlights the wickedness and disregard for God’s commands displayed by those who accept bribes for bloodshed, exploit the poor, and engage in unjust practices for personal gain.
God calls us to remember Him, to embody His righteousness, and to reject the allure of bribes and unjust profiting.
Micah 3:11
“Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say, ‘Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.'”
This verse describes a society where leaders, priests, and prophets have succumbed to greed and worldly gain, distorted their roles, and compromised their integrity. They seek personal benefit while pretending to have the Lord’s support.
God calls us to be people of integrity, not allowing the pursuit of personal gain to overshadow our commitment to truth, justice, and righteousness.
Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
This verse highlights the fundamental choice between allegiance to God and the pursuit of wealth. It emphasizes that our devotion and loyalty should be directed towards God alone, rather than being divided between Him and the pursuit of material gain.
God calls us to prioritize our commitment to Him, rejecting the temptations of bribery and corruption that stem from the love of money.
Matthew 27:3-5
“When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. ‘I have sinned,’ he said, ‘for I have betrayed innocent blood.’ ‘What is that to us?’ they replied. ‘That’s your responsibility.’ So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.”
This passage recounts the tragic downfall of Judas, who, after betraying Jesus for a bribe, became overwhelmed with guilt and remorse. He realized the gravity of his sin and tried to return the bribe, only to be rejected by the very people who had given it to him.
This serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive consequences that can arise from chasing after worldly gain and turning away from God’s path.
Luke 16:13
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Similar to Matthew 6:24, this verse emphasizes the exclusivity of allegiance, stating that one cannot serve both God and money. It highlights the importance of choosing to prioritize our devotion to God over the pursuit of material wealth.
God calls us to examine our hearts and motivations, ensuring that we are not swayed by the temptations of bribery or the love of money.
John 12:6
“He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.”
This verse refers to Judas Iscariot, who, despite his outward display of concern for the poor, was revealed to be a thief who stole from the money bag. It highlights the deceptive nature of hypocrisy and the danger of allowing greed to corrupt one’s actions.
God calls us to be honest and upright in our dealings, avoiding the path of dishonesty and the allure of personal gain at the expense of others.
Acts 8:18-19
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’
This passage describes Simon, known as Simon the Sorcerer, who attempted to purchase the spiritual gifts and abilities of the apostles. It reveals the danger of perverting the spiritual realm with the temptations of bribery.
God reminds us that His gifts and blessings are not for sale and cannot be acquired through worldly means. They are freely given by His grace and not to be devalued or corrupted by the pursuit of personal gain.
1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
This verse highlights the destructive power of the love of money, which has the potential to lead people astray from their faith and cause immeasurable grief and harm. It emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts and prioritizing our devotion to God over worldly gain.
God calls us to seek contentment and find fulfillment in Him, rather than pursuing wealth at the expense of our spiritual well-being.
2 Peter 2:3
“In their greed, these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”
This verse warns against the dangers of false teachers who exploit others through greed and deception. It highlights the judgment that awaits those who engage in corrupt practices and deceive others for personal gain.
God calls us to discernment and to be wary of those who seek to manipulate and exploit others through bribery and dishonesty.
Proverbs 10:9
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
This verse contrasts the security that comes with walking in integrity and righteousness with the inevitable exposure and consequences faced by those who choose to engage in corrupt practices.
God calls us to prioritize righteousness, knowing that true security lies in living with integrity and upholding His principles.
Proverbs 15:27
“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”
This verse highlights the destructive impact of greed, particularly within the context of accepting bribes. It contrasts the ruin and downfall that greed brings to one’s household with the promise of life for those who reject bribes and live with integrity.
God calls us to be content with what He provides and to reject the temptations that can lead to downfall and ruin.
Proverbs 17:8
“A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.”
Similar to Proverbs 18:16, this verse depicts the misguided perception of the one giving a bribe, who sees it as a charm that guarantees success and prosperity. However, such thinking is flawed and misguided.
God calls us to trust in His guidance and provision, knowing that true success comes from aligning our lives with His will, rather than resorting to corrupt and deceitful means.
Proverbs 21:14
“A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the robe pacifies wrath.”
This verse illustrates the temporary and superficial resolution that a bribe can offer by soothing anger and pacifying wrath. However, it fails to address and rectify the underlying issues and injustices at hand.
God calls us to pursue true reconciliation and justice, rather than resorting to bribery as a temporary solution.
Proverbs 28:21
“To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread.”
This verse exposes the moral compromise that can occur when individuals choose to show partiality and accept bribes. It highlights the deep-seated desire for personal gain that can lead people to engage in wrongdoing and betray their principles.
God calls us to uphold justice and impartiality, resisting the temptation to compromise our integrity for selfish gains.
Proverbs 29:4
“By justice, a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.”
This verse emphasizes the crucial role of justice in providing stability to a nation. It warns against the destructive consequences that arise when leaders become consumed by greed for bribes, undermining the very foundation of a stable society.
God calls leaders to prioritize justice and righteousness, guarding against the allure of corruption and upholding the welfare of their people.
Amos 5:12
“For I know how many are your offenses and how great your sins. There are those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.”
This verse highlights the societal sins of oppression, bribery, and the denial of justice to the poor. It serves as a reminder to all that God is aware of such injustices and holds those responsible accountable for their actions.
God calls us to fight for justice, defend the rights of the oppressed, and reject bribery as a means of compromising justice and righteousness.
Habakkuk 1:4
“Therefore, the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous so that justice is perverted.”
This verse describes the dire state of a society where the law is incapable of functioning properly and justice is consistently undermined and perverted. It points out the destructive power that the wicked possess in obstructing and distorting justice.
God calls us to be agents of righteousness and to resist the corruption and perversion of justice brought about by bribery and deceit.
James 2:9
“But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
This verse condemns the sin of showing favoritism, which can easily lead to corruption and the acceptance of bribes. It highlights the importance of upholding impartiality and treating all individuals with fairness and justice.
God calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves, rejecting the temptation to engage in corrupt practices and striving to treat all individuals equitably.