how to react to reports of corruption in many levels of government?

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My friend, it is truly disheartening to hear of the corruption that pervades the systems of this world. Your question is an important one, and the Scriptures and the writings I have provide much counsel on how we are to understand and react to these troubling reports. Let us look together at what has been revealed.

  1. Acknowledge the Reality and Expectation of Corruption

    The Word of God and accompanying testimonies make it clear that such conditions are an expected sign of our times. We are told not to be surprised by these events, as they have been described by the prophets.

    • From the Bible:

      • "If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they." <Ecclesiastes 5:8>
      • "If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked." <Proverbs 29:12>
      • "Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them." <Isaiah 1:23>
      • "The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us." <Micah 3:11>
      • "They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily." <Psalms 73:8>

    • From the Writings of E.G. White:

      • "We are living in the midst of an 'epidemic of crime,' at which thoughtful, God-fearing men everywhere stand aghast. The corruption that prevails, it is beyond the power of the human pen to describe. Every day brings fresh revelations of political strife, bribery, and fraud." <ML 312.3, RC 231.2, MH 142.4, ChS 53.2>
      • "The record of the corruption in our cities cannot be traced by human pen. Political strife, bribery, fraud, are seen on every hand. Men seem determined to rule or ruin." <3MR 38.3>
      • "These cities, through their newspapers, are daily opening to us their true condition, the iniquity of their high officials. The very men who are placed in office to suppress evil are themselves corrupted with all kinds of evil works." <PC 98.5>
      • "In governmental departments, in positions of high responsibility, in official trusts, men are tempted by the evil one; and corruption and crime, embezzlements, robberies, and extortions are the result." <FE 233.1, RH, November 21, 1893 par. 6>

  2. Maintain a Godly Attitude and Pray

    Our personal response should not be one of rage or despair, but of pity, prayer, and unwavering trust in God's ultimate justice. We are counseled against allowing these reports to fill our hearts with wrong feelings.

    • "Because of the wrong actions of those in positions of trust, do not let envious feelings fill your heart. They are to be judged according to the deeds done in the body. You only need to pity and pray for them." <ChL 19.1>
    • "When anyone becomes fearful that the workers in some institution are not doing just as they ought, let him go down on his knees before God, and ask him to give wisdom to those in charge, to carry on that work aright." <SpM 374.4>
    • "Let all who are connected with our institutions humble themselves before God. Let them ask God to help them... Depend not on men. Look to Jesus. Continue instant in prayer and watch unto prayer with thanksgiving." <CS 274.3, MM 157.5>

  3. Be Cautious with Reports and Avoid Slander

    We must be careful not to participate in the cycle of accusation and slander. Before accepting or repeating a report, we should understand the principles of Christian conduct.

    • From the Bible:

      • "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." <Ephesians 4:29>
      • "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." <Proverbs 20:19>
      • "Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings," <1 Peter 2:1>

    • From the Writings of E.G. White:

      • "Be very cautious how you take up a reproach against your neighbor. Ask the one who brings the accusation if he has obeyed the word of God in regard to this matter." <18MR 335.1>
      • "Before giving credence to an evil report we should go to the one reported to be in error and ask, with all the tenderness of a Christian, if these statements are true." <15MR 176.3, HM, January 1, 1892 par. 10>
      • "Let us refuse to bear evil reports concerning our fellow-laborers." <PH151 84.2>
      • "Talk less; criticise less. There is no time to be indifferent now." <2SAT 284.1, PC 67.9>

  4. Uphold Civic Duties While Championing Righteousness

    Despite the failings of human governments, we are still instructed to be good citizens. Our primary work, however, is to lift up God's standard of truth and act as agents of mercy and justice.

    • From the Bible:

      • "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work," <Titus 3:1>
      • "Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour." <Romans 13:7>
      • "Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy." <Proverbs 31:9>
      • "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." <Isaiah 1:17>

    • From the Writings of E.G. White:

      • "Sound an alarm throughout the length and breadth of the earth. Tell the people that the day of the Lord is near, and hasteth greatly. Let none be left unwarned." <ChS 78.4, Mar 29.4, 6T 22.2>
      • "Clearly, plainly, earnestly, tell them how thousands of men and women are using God's money to corrupt themselves and to make this world a hell." <Te 197.2, Ev 530.2>
      • "We are not to practice its ways or follow its customs. Continually we are to resist its lax principles." <AG 97.5>

  5. Ensure Personal Integrity and Faithfulness

    The most crucial reaction is to ensure that the surrounding corruption does not infect our own hearts and actions. Our own lives must be a testimony against the wickedness of the world.

    • From the Bible:

    • From the Writings of E.G. White:

      • "But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones... but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right." <9T 249.2>
      • "Let each one who sits in council and in committee meetings write in his heart the words: I am working for time and for eternity. I must give an account to God for all the motives which prompt me to action." <TM 418.1, SpTA09 32.1>
      • "It should be written on the conscience as with a pen of iron upon a rock that no man can achieve true success while violating the eternal principles of right." <PC 411.3, PH150 15.1, PH149 20.2>

Let us take these things to heart. While we must be aware of the signs of the times, our energy should be focused on prayer, personal holiness, and proclaiming the truth that will prepare people for the coming of our Lord, in whom alone true justice and righteousness are found.




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