by Ester yusufu | 17 February 2020 08:46 pm02
Many people today think of corruption as stealing money, abusing public funds, or ruining an organization. But in the biblical context, corruption primarily refers to extreme sexual immorality—fornication, adultery, and other sexual sins that violate God’s moral standards. It includes acts that are shameless and morally corrupt, regardless of age, gender, or societal norms.
Corruption is not just a moral failure but a rebellion against God’s holiness. Sexual sin reflects humanity’s fallen nature (Romans 3:23), and unrepented sin distances us from God.
- Ephesians 4:19 (NIV)
“Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.”
- Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
- Titus 1:6–7 (NIV)
“An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.”
- Galatians 5:19–21 (NIV)
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:21 (NIV)
“I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.”
6. 1 Peter 4:3–4 (NIV)
“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprisedthat you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.“
7. 2 Peter 2:6–7 (NIV)
“If he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless.”
Other references: Mark 7:22, Romans 13:13, 2 Peter 2:18, Jude 1:4.
No. Galatians 5:19–21 is clear: those who live in sexual immorality and related sins “will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Sin, when unrepented, separates humanity from God (Isaiah 59:2). Alcohol or worldly methods cannot cleanse sin; only God’s Spirit can transform the heart.
Receiving the Holy Spirit is the key to victory over sin. Acts 2:37–41 (NIV) explains the biblical process:
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Steps to overcome corruption:
True holiness is not self-achieved; it is Spirit-enabled (Romans 8:13). The Holy Spirit transforms desires, renews the mind, and produces the fruit of righteousness (Galatians 5:22–23).
May the Lord bless you richly as you pursue holiness in Christ.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2020/02/17/what-does-corruption-mean-in-the-bible/
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