How can we ensure our actions align with God's standards in Ezekiel 22:12? Seeing the Warning in Ezekiel 22:12 “In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take interest and usury and gain from your neighbors by extortion; and you have forgotten Me,” declares the Lord GOD. What God Condemns in the Verse • Bribery that enables violence • Predatory lending (interest and usury) • Extortion and unjust gain • Forgetting the Lord—living as though He is not present Why Alignment Matters • God’s standards reflect His holy character (Leviticus 19:2) • Judgment fell on Jerusalem because these sins became normal (Ezekiel 22:13–16) • Our testimony hinges on everyday financial and relational integrity (Matthew 5:16) Guardrails to Keep Our Actions in Line 1. Conscious God-Awareness – Daily Scripture intake (Psalm 119:11) – Continual thanksgiving and worship (Colossians 3:17) 2. Transparent Relationships – Invite accountability: spouse, friend, elder (Proverbs 27:17) – Confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9) 3. Upright Financial Practices – Refuse bribes or under-the-table gifts (Proverbs 17:23) – Lend without coercive interest (Exodus 22:25; Luke 6:34-35) – Pay fair wages on time (Leviticus 19:13; James 5:4) 4. Compassionate Stewardship – Budget generosity first (2 Corinthians 9:7) – Redeem resources for ministry, not personal indulgence (Ephesians 4:28) 5. Consistent Self-Examination – Ask, “Does this profit harm my neighbor?” (Romans 13:10) – Measure motives by Micah 6:8—justice, mercy, humility Patterns That Reflect God’s Standards • Honesty in every transaction (Proverbs 11:1) • Fair advocacy for the vulnerable (Deuteronomy 24:17-18) • Contentment over greed (1 Timothy 6:6-10) • Faithfulness in small matters (Luke 16:10-11) Living Out Ezekiel 22:12 in Today’s World • Reject shortcuts that compromise integrity. • Structure business deals to bless, not exploit. • Let the fear of the Lord guide private decisions as strongly as public ones. • Remember Him in every spreadsheet, contract, and conversation—because forgetting God is the root that feeds every form of injustice. |
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