Bribes Blind
“Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth.
Exodus 23:8 NLT
According to the the Merriam-webster dictionary a bribe is money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust. Throughout the bible God condemns bribery, because it perverts truth. Here in Exodus we're told that bribes cause even a righteous person to ignore the obvious and lie about it. Similarly Deuteronomy 16:19 NLT reads, "Do not deny justice or show partiality to anyone. Do not accept a bribe, for it blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous."
Bribes tempt us to do what we know is wrong. Taking a bribe is a transgression against God. Let's not partake.