What has gone wrong?

 

People often ask, “If we are a Christian society, why do we still see corruption, hatred, violence, and injustice among us?” It is a painful question because the answer is not far away, it sits within us. Corruption does not begin in government offices alone. Murder does not begin with weapons. Hatred does not begin in public arguments. These things begin quietly inside the human heart. Many of us have grown up in church traditions—praying, singing, attending services, and learning Bible verses. But when faith remains only on the surface and never reaches the heart, Christianity becomes something we inherit like a surname, not something that transforms us. And when the heart remains unchanged, fear, jealousy, insecurity, pride, and old wounds continue to guide our actions. From that hidden place of unhealed hurt, corruption grows—sometimes quietly, sometimes violently.

 

Our society today shows signs of deep brokenness. Hatred, division, and even murder have become familiar in places where they once felt impossible. There was a time when such news seemed far away, happening in places we could not imagine ourselves in. Yet now, we are waking up inside those very stories. We once carried a faith full of zeal, passion, and sacrifice. Now many feel tired, guarded, and afraid. Something has shifted inside us, not just around us.

 

We often say that corruption comes from greed, but beneath greed there is fear. Fear of losing. Fear of not being enough. Fear of being small. Fear of being forgotten. Fear of being seen as weak. People cheat because they are afraid of letting go of control. People hold tightly to power because they are afraid that without it, they will have no identity. People choose silence when they see wrongdoing because speaking up may cost comfort, acceptance, opportunities, friendships, or reputation. Some even fear that honesty will cost them their life. So, evil continues, not because people support it, but because they fear confronting it.

 

And here is the tragedy: in a land where almost everyone calls themselves Christian, we still see people fighting over small matters until blood is shed. We see families dividing over inheritance. We see leaders who speak about justice while chasing influence. We see ordinary believers who know what is right but choose silence. This does not happen because we do not know God in words. It happens because many of us have not allowed God to enter the places where we are wounded. And when the wound remains, fear remains. And where fear remains, corruption grows.

 

At its core, corruption is not simply a social problem. It is a spiritual wound. It is the result of humanity’s brokenness. The gospel tells us that before society changes, the heart must be healed. Paul teaches that the Spirit produces love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Peter reminds us that God calls His people to holiness—not in appearance, but in character. Holiness is not about being perfect. It is about being honest before God and letting Him shape how we treat others and how we carry responsibility.

 

The Bible shows us examples of people who lived in corrupt systems without becoming corrupt. Joseph worked under Pharaoh but remained upright. Daniel served in Babylon yet remained steady in truth. Nehemiah confronted exploitation with courage and compassion. Their strength did not come from intelligence or position. It came from surrender. They trusted God enough to risk loss. They believed that even if they lost status, comfort, or safety, God would still be enough. And that trust made them courageous.

 

But many of us today have shaped a version of Christianity that tries to protect life rather than surrender it. We pray for blessings but resist obedience. We speak of forgiveness but hold tightly to grudges. We quote verses about peace while nurturing resentment. Our faith remains on our tongue, but fear sits in our heart.

 

True change in a Christian society does not start with louder preaching, better programs, or stricter rules. It begins quietly, inside the heart, when a person allows God to enter the places they hide. A healed heart does not need to bully others to feel strong. A healed heart does not fear humility. A healed heart does not make others vulnerable to protect itself. And a healed heart does not live in fear of being vulnerable. Instead, it learns to stand firm in truth while walking kindly. It learns how to say what is right without harming, and how to love without being controlled.

 

We need a faith that is brave enough to be honest, yet gentle enough to protect others. No one should make another person feel unsafe, exposed, or humiliated. And no one should live in fear of being exposed, judged, or rejected. This balance is possible only when our identity rests in God, not in power, wealth, or public image. When a person knows they are held by God, they no longer live from fear. And when fear loses its power, corruption loses its roots.

 

More than the need for Christians in number, we need Christians who are willing to be truthful with God about their hearts. Christians who do not wound others to feel safe. Christians who do not hide behind silence to avoid trouble. Christians who are willing to lose something small to protect something sacred. Christians who know that obedience may cost them something, but disobedience costs their soul.

 

The Bible calls Christians to live with honesty and justice. Ephesians 4:25 tells us “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbour, for we are all members of one body.” and Proverbs 15:27 reminds us “The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.”. Integrity means doing right even when no one sees it because it reflects God’s heart - “… whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous who speaks the truth from their heart” (Psalm 15:1–2). Living by these values is how the kingdom of God becomes visible in daily life.

 

The hope of a Christian society is not in its church buildings, public prayers, or cultural identity. It is in the condition of its hearts. Change does not happen everywhere at once. It begins here - inside the one who is willing to be healed, willing to be honest, willing to trust God beyond fear.

 

Corruption continues when the heart remains wounded. But when the heart turns toward God in truth, healing begins. When healing begins, courage is born. And when courage is born, society begins to change.

 

One heart at a time.
One choice at a time.

One act of truth at a time.

This is where transformation starts.