“ Strange Bedfellows”

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us,Let us lie in wait to shed blood;Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole, like those who go down to the Pit; we shall find all kinds of precious possessions, we shall fill our houses with spoil; Cast in your lot among us, let us all have one purse”— My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; For their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed blood. Surely, in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird; but they lie in wait for their own blood, they lurk secretly for their own lives. So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; it takes away the life of its owners.” Proverbs 1:10-19 NKJV

“Show me your friends and I will show you your future” is a popular saying that still holds true today.

Who you hang out with and the company you keep matters a lot, because they have the ability to influence your thinking, your taste and behavior.

The Bible is full of good advice on the company you keep.

In Proverbs 13:20:

“He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.” NKJV

Also, in 1 Corinthians 15:33:

“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” NKJV

It therefore boggles the mind when you see a high official in the company of common thieves, petty criminals and drug dealers. You scratch your head and wonder, just what do they have in common?

Ordinarily, officials and criminals are not good friends. Unless of course they have a common goal. Whether you like it or not, corruption is a crime. When corrupt officials interact with criminals and not only aid them assist them in the commission of crimes, then there is a problem indeed.

The head of an organization matters a lot. They could be heads of business, departments, bureau, agencies, families, religious organizations etc. They not only provide leadership but are also role models for others in their organization and society at large.

For many cities that are experiencing a surge in crimes, take a good look at the head of their law enforcement agencies. When corrupt officials interact with citizens and encourage them, then there is a surge in crime.

What fellowship does an official have with drug dealer? What fellowship or friendship does he have with a known felon that he should be seen in their company?

When an official becomes a bedfellow with a drug dealer, then there will be an increase in crime. When someone who has taken the oath of office to protect citizens becomes the very person that is encouraging the commission of crimes, then there is a great problem indeed.

What happens when the official is not only in bed with these characters, but is also providing them with protection? What if their close proximity with one another results in the sharing of sensitive information that should not be available to regular citizens? Of course, when a criminal is privy to sensitive information, he can use it for his own benefit. Doesn’t that put other officials in danger? Does that not lead to compromise in security? Does that not embolden the criminals to commit more crimes?

Still more questions on this issue. Doesn’t that mean that innocent citizens are put at risk? Even when they cry for help and send several letters to relevant authorities for protection, their cries are either ignored, or worse still, those letters are tampered with and are either undelivered or re-written to protect their buddies?

Here we are, scratching our heads on surge in crime, yet the cause and effect is there for all to see.

Bear in mind that when an official becomes a bedfellow with a criminal, there is the exchange of money for services provided. So, “filthy lucre” is given and taken. Thus criminal elements in society are encouraged and emboldened to commit more crimes.

Another worrisome aspect of officials giving protection to criminals is not just obstruction of justice but denial of justice. Thus, it’s quite possible for a criminal to evade prison time because someone else is posing as his “body double”. Of course, so many people would have been “ settled” when this happens.

Where is the justice in this?

What happens to the person that has no voice in such society?

We close today with the words of the Preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14:

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil. “NKJV