Day 78, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Deuteronomy 15–18
8 Ways to Prevent Corruption in our Christian Lives
The LORD gave several instructions to the Israelites to prevent corruption from expelling them from the Promised Land they conquered.
Likewise, we know questionable behavior and associations in our lives can expel us from our jobs or family, and cause God's discipline to come upon us. We certainly don't want that. So, although most of us aren't Israelites, we can apply these principles—eight ways to prevent corruption in our Christian lives.
1. Follow God's Instructions
In today's Bible reading, there are many things God directs the Israelites to do before he brings them into Canaan (specific stipulations patterned after the Suzerain Treaty).
The current occupants are evil, sexually perverse, and idol worshippers, so the Israelites must deliberately eliminate their terrible influences. Following God's instructions gives the Israelites the best chance for success. If they don't follow them but follow the Canaanites' ways, judgment will come.
Following God's instructions can keep us out of trouble. What else can we do to remain in God's good graces?
2. Remember your relationship with God
The phrase “the LORD your God” is used thirty-five times in today’s Bible reading. He is reminding his people of their relationship—He is their sovereign, and they are indebted to him for delivering them from slavery.
Is it not the same for us? If the LORD is our God, our relationship with him as our sovereign and savior is a good enough reason to keep his Word.
3. Be Generous, not Greedy
After the Israelites come into their inheritance, most would prosper, and some would become wealthy. A few, however, for whatever reason, would be poor. To prevent wealthy entrepreneurs and landowners from becoming greedy, they must care for their fellow Israelites, not be tight-fisted.
The rich were not to make slaves of the poor, but they could use them as indentured servants for six years. In the seventh year, the wealthy must cancel their debts and allow them to go free.
This differs from the year of Jubilee, which we learned about in the book of Leviticus. In that book, God gave instructions for the wealthy to return the people and property (which were sold to pay off their debts) back to their families. Jubilee occurred every fifty years. Now, not only are the debts forgiven every seventh year, but the wealthy are to give their former servants enough provisions for a new start.
The Israelites are also to give the first of their grain, herds, and flocks to the LORD's tabernacle servants, the Levites, for their sustenance. We should also make sure our clergy or other spiritual leaders' needs are well-cared for.
Memorable Occasions
The memorable events God chooses are called feasts. The purpose of the feasts is to celebrate and remember what the LORD has done for them. To prevent the Israelites from adopting the evil culture of the nations they dispossess, God directs the leadership to re-institute the feasts. They were first detailed at Mt. Horeb in Sinai to the first generation of Israelites out of Egypt (Leviticus 23). Now, Moses reminds the second generation of the necessity of their continuance. These feasts celebrate and remember what the LORD has done for them.
Providentially, the timing of Easter and Thanksgiving corresponds to the Israelite spring and fall celebrations. The Christian celebration of Easter celebrates the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ from the dead to give us spiritual life (more...). If we celebrate Easter and Thanksgiving, pointing others to Christ, this helps us not adopt our culture's customs and leaves a testimony of God's grace to our society and our children.
5. Eradicate the Evil
The LORD wants to be celebrated and revered as Israel's God. The LORD directs capital punishment on any Israelite who is worshipping foreign gods or influencing others to do the same. The LORD is jealous of the relationship between the Israelites and himself. He takes offense when he, the Almighty Creator and Provider, is replaced by a fashioned block of wood, stone, or precious metal. It can't see, hear, or help in any way!
Worship of these “gods” leads to prostitution, child sacrifice, and other vile practices, so God directs any Israelite who worships them to be killed to purge the evil from among them (Deuteronomy 17:7, 12; Matthew 5:44).
We aren't instructed to kill anyone for failing to worship God—we aren't a theocratic society engaged in a holy war—we're governed by our societies' laws. Instead, of taking matters into our own hands, God wants us to work through the institutions he has established (Roman 13:1-5). Otherwise, Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us
Eradicating the evil in our own lives is the application for us. How might we do it?
1. We could and should get God's instruction, obey it and repent of any wrongdoing. The LORD will forgive us.
2. Limit our time with friends who are a bad influence upon us. We might even need to cut off detrimental relationships.
6. Act with Justice and Mercy
Before the Israelites enter the land, God institutes a system of justice. The priests will decide the court cases, which the leaders of the people cannnot solve. They are to judge according to the Mosaic Law and with equity.The priests are like the Supreme Court of the land.
The priests are to act with special sensitivity to cases regarding injustice for the orphans, widows, and aliens living among them. A system of justice prevents chaos and lawlessness, and it gives peace. God instructs his people in every period of history to act with justice, mercy, and humility (Micah 6:8).
7. Establish Wise Policies
God knows eventually the people will want a king to lead them (1 Samuel 8), although the LORD is their king. With foresight, he sets out rules and regulations to choose a king. He doesn't want him to lead the nation away from following the LORD. God sets up the rules so the people will have the best chance to receive his blessings, although the king will demand much of them. As we will see later, some kings follow God's instructions, but most don't.
Whatever policies we set as a family, church, or other organization, we should try to please the LORD and make sure it will not lead others away from him.
8. Test the Teaching of Spiritual Leadership
God instructs Israelites who practice sorcery to be executed. Israel’s reliance is not to be on demons and false prophets but on the LORD. God promises to send them prophets like Moses upon whom they can rely (Deuteronomy 18:15). In the immediate context, this may refer to Joshua. Ultimately, the future prophet will be the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:18-26).
How can the people tell who is a prophet of the LORD? Accuracy. This test says a genuine prophet must exactly fulfill what the Lord predicts, and it must agree with the Word of the LORD.
This test is helpful for us today. Those who proclaim to have a “word from the LORD” must prove its consistency with the written Word of God. If not, we’re not to listen to him or her, no matter how knowledgeable, charismatic or likable the person may be. False prophets mislead us and spoil our inheritance. God’s Word and godly counsel prevents us from corruption in our spiritual life.
1. specific stipulations were patterned after the Suzerain Treaty; more...)
2. The Mosaic Law was the law given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. It includes moral, social, and ceremonial laws.
Focus Verse
Colossians 3:5 (NIV) “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.”
Discussion (you can type in your answers)
Why should we keep God’s Word?
How do we prevent corruption in our Christian life?
How can we tell if a minister is a true prophet of the LORD?
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: The Israelites are warned about preventing corruption, so how do they (or we) Remove Evil? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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