A Call To Attention And Action

This is the final article in this three-part series on worldwide corruption. In the two previous articles, I’ve said that if Biblical values and acknowledgment of God disappear from culture, corruption soon follows and multiplies. People have a broken moral compass, causing them to live as they did just before the flood, when every person did that which was right in their own eyes.   

In my first article, I addressed the question: What is corruption? The second article explored why we need to confront systemic corruption now. Let’s close by discussing how we can reduce corruption.

Let’s start with this story. Years ago, a famous painter finished a painting and put it on display in the town square. It was nearly perfect, one of his best. The painter put up a sign next to the painting, asking people to mark an 'x' where they saw a flaw. The next day, the painter went out to see his painting. There were 'x' marks all over it. 

The painter was shaken by all the ‘x’ marks on his masterpiece. He sought advice from his friend, another painter of masterpieces. “Put your painting out in the square again, and this time put your paints by the painting. Then ask them to paint the correction where they put the 'x' to make the painting better.” The next morning, the painter went to see what had been done to improve the painting. No corrections had been made. Everyone was great at criticizing the painting, but no one was willing to improve it.

That is my greatest concern about issues like corruption. Everyone hates it, talks about it, and criticizes those who commit it, yet nothing gets done. A critic is a non-participant. Everyone waits for someone else to act against corruption until it is too late.

Here's another truth for us to consider: Whatever you can tolerate, you can’t change. So, how does change happen? For most people, it's captured in this statement: "Until the change exceeds the fear, there will be no change." In other words, things need to become bad or uncomfortable before we are willing to do something about the problem, whether it's in our health, personality, attitude, marriage, or life choices. 

The same is true of corruption and related issues across government, academia, mainline and social media, business, and culture. Corruption thrives in cultures without consequences, where our leaders, who should be the best, are the worst. G. K. Chesterton once said, “Wicked men do not destroy a civilization; it is destroyed by weak men who cannot defend what is good.” Corruption can only thrive when we ‘ostrich,’ or stick our heads in the sand.   

So, what can we, as ordinary, unlikely people, or even current leaders in society, do to reduce corruption? Don’t you get shy on me for reading this article. Sometimes the willingness to do what you’re unqualified to do is what qualifies you. Here are six starting points that could help clear away the clutter of corruption. 

First, remember this: if it's going to be, it starts with me, then with us. Corruption is an inside job. Be willing to arrest the corrupt areas within us. Then, when you speak against corruption, you speak from a position of having overcome it, not from a position of speaking about it. Take the log out of your own eye before you try to take the log out of someone else’s eye. Speaking from a pure heart about corruption for the right reasons has the power to effect change.

Second, find others, your church, or other organizations whose leaders share your passion for fighting corruption. That builds mass momentum and a louder voice. Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” That reminds me of Jesus and his disciples. Get out of your seat. Get into the arena. Know what you are talking about. Be the change. 

Third, don't let your voice on corruption become political. Many of you knew about corruption but didn't know enough to do anything about it. These articles about corruption are not political; they are biblical. It should be something that all of us, regardless of which political party we prefer, can agree upon. Corruption affects everyone.

Fourth, never lose sight of the God who invades the impossible. Jesus called out leaders full of corruption and injustice throughout his ministry. The Kingdom of God is present where people boldly hold their leaders to account, because that is what is right and good for those downtrodden by corruption and by society. “Justice is mine,” says the Lord.

Fifth, you know you’re working with God when the impossible looks logical. That's God-sized. Get God involved by praying for both the dismantling of systemic corruption and your protection. We don't need to carry the burden of that corruption anymore, nor allow bitterness to fester, because God ultimately holds it in His hands. God deals not only with corrupt individuals (Mark 12:40), but He also promises that justice will one day come to the entire broken system that perpetuates injustice (Mark 13:2).

Sixth, we need clearer standards for the following areas in government and governance. 

1. Weak legal and institutional frameworks; government does not do the government's job. Government is a referee, not a player. 
2. Lack of transparency and accountability. Corruption flourishes in a culture without consequences. 
3. Excessive bureaucratic discretion and red tape. 
4. Extremely low public-sector wages could contribute to corruption. 
5. Cultural or social norms that tolerate patronage and nepotism. 
6. Ignorance of the law regarding corruption, whether intentional or unintentional. There is too much room for political misinterpretation.

This article is a call to action. We live for a generation we will never see. Let’s not allow our legacy to be kicking the can to that generation. That would be the greatest injustice of all. Be the change. And no more pictures with 'x' on them.