Gift...Bribe

Proverbs 21:14-16 – A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.

Proverbs 17:8 – A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.

Romans 13:3 – For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.

Ezekiel 18:24 – “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

Proverbs 2:18 – Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

Application:

• ·         “A bribe is seen as a charm” is a sad commentary on human behavior.
• ·         When civil rulers overstep their proper function, the Christian is to obey God rather than human authorities.
• ·         There are warnings against those who knowingly and willfully turn from righteousness.
• ·         A life of immorality leads to the destruction and death of all who are involved.

All Scripture verses taken from NIV