Category: bribes

Zealously Affected #31

Monday, March 23, 2026

“They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them. But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:17,18 KJV).

Let us see if we can identify and comprehend the dangers of relying on emotions….

“I know my rights!” is proclaimed just before lawbreaking citizens fight with the police (and lose!). Did you notice the talking? Why, they were totally ignorant of perhaps their most valuable constitutional right—their right to remain silent! Listen to the interviews of family members and friends of convicted criminals. Regardless of how credible and overwhelming the evidence of guilt is, the reply is, “I know this person, and he/she could never and would never do that.” With discernment distorted because of emotional attachment, denial is situated at the forefront. Reason has no place in their appraisal of the matter. In fact, blame will be assigned to the victim and the criminal will be portrayed as an “unfairly targeted, upstanding citizen.”

Emotionalism leads to additional favoritism or preferential treatment. Someone in authority might refuse to investigate or prosecute a guilty party because he or she “feels sorry” for the suspect. Under the Law of Moses, neither the poor man nor the rich man was to have any advantage in court proceedings. “Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause…. Thou shalt not wrest [bend, pervert] the judgment of thy poor in his cause…. And thou shalt take no gift [bribe]: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous” (Exodus 23:3,6,8). The LORD demanded equal application of the Law to all people regardless of financial status. Such righteous decisions could stem only from logic instead of feelings.

Pacifism is man’s futile attempt to avoid war, for sin makes conflict inevitable (Romans 1:29-31; Galatians 5:15,20; James 4:1,2). Emotionalism puts down weapons and considers everyone a friend who is open to affable discussion and peaceful resolution. How naïve! Critical thinking, in contrast, keeps weapons near because this world is replete with individuals who would not hesitate to harm us and our families if given opportunity. What will the disarmed citizenry do when their government waxes so crooked it targets these the defenseless? How will “nonviolent” neighboring countries survive? Emotions have deceived again.

To repeat, feelings must be carefully managed….

You Do Not Have to Lose Everything #5

Saturday, April 29, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

Dear friend, you do not have to lose everything!

People dread losing their money, health, and loved ones. Our family members and friends are dear to us, but let us be sure we understand these facts: our fellowship with them is always subject to change. For example, it is no secret that “the rich hath many friends” (Proverbs 14:20; Proverbs 19:4)—until the funds run out! Bribes are quite useful in obtaining friendships (Proverbs 19:6). Moreover, gossiping can destroy relationships (Proverbs 16:28; Proverbs 17:9). Relatives and friends grow sick, die, move away, or even shun us due to any number of reasons.

If we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we remember well how He notified His disciples in Matthew chapter 10: “[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death…. [35] For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. [36] And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. [37] He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” See also Mark 13:12 and Luke 21:16.

Christ’s “friends” called Him crazy (Mark 3:21)! His own brethren (half-siblings through Mary) did not believe in Him (John 7:5)! Even His (best) “familiar friend” Judas Iscariot ultimately betrayed Him (Psalm 41:9; John 13:18,21; cf. Matthew 26:50)! If the world treated Him so shamelessly, we should expect them to respond to us in like manner. Regardless of the reason, we are not guaranteed our loved ones will be with us always.

Despite all this bad news, today’s Scripture declares there is plenty of good news….

Honest Samuel

Friday, August 9, 2013

“And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand” (1 Samuel 12:4 KJV).

How many politicians and church leaders could we say this to today?

About 1,000 years before Christ, Samuel (“heard of God”) served as a prophet, a priest, and a judge over the nation Israel for many years (although the Bible does not provide a numerical figure, it does tell us he served from “childhood” to him being “old and grayheaded” [1 Samuel 12:2]). His sons are wicked rulers in Israel, guilty of administering crooked judgment and accepting bribes—they “walked not in [Samuel’s] ways” (1 Samuel 8:1-5). Thus, Israel desires Samuel to choose his successor, which is Israel’s first king, Saul (1 Samuel chapters 8-10).

Later, after Saul is anointed as Israel’s king, Samuel addresses the nation (today’s Scripture). Let us see how this man of God ruled God’s people (1 Samuel 12:1-5):

“And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day. Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed [Saul]: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you. And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand. And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.”

Even the LORD Himself testified to Samuel’s honest reign! It was such a shame that his sons did not follow his example, for their corrupt administrations led Israel to reject Samuel, and more importantly, God’s wisdom by which he ruled.