Why Fairness Matters Now More Than Ever
“You must not pervert justice” is a straightforward command from the Bible that simply means: Don’t twist the truth or let your own preferences, money, or pressure from others affect what’s fair and right. This idea shows up in several places in the Old Testament, like Deuteronomy 16:19 and Leviticus 19:15, and its basic message is just as important today as it was thousands of years ago.
What Does “Perverting Justice” Mean?
To pervert justice is to make what’s supposed to be fair into something unfair. It happens when:
· Someone lets their own opinions about a person influence their decision
· People in power take money or favors (bribes) to look the other way or give someone special treatment
· Rules are bent for friends, family, the rich, or the powerful, but not for everyone else
Where Does This Idea Come From?
The Bible talks about this in several verses:
· Deuteronomy 16:19: “Do not pervert justice or show favoritism. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent.”
· Leviticus 19:15: “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”
· Exodus 23:6: “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.”
These verses are basically saying that everyone—rich, poor, friend, stranger, powerful, or powerless—should be treated equally when it comes to what’s right and wrong.
Why Does This Matter?
If justice isn’t fair, people lose trust in the system and in each other. Unfairness can lead to anger, division, and sometimes even violence. When leaders or judges play favorites, it hurts the whole community, especially the people who need help the most—like the poor, the vulnerable, or those without the right connections.
How Does This Apply Today?
This principle isn’t just for judges in a courtroom. It’s for all of us who have to make choices—big or small—that affect others. It means:
· Don’t take sides just because someone is your friend, family, or has money
· Stand up for people who are treated unfairly, even if it’s unpopular
· Don’t let your decisions be bought or influenced by gifts or promises
· Make an effort to listen to the facts before making a judgment
Modern life is full of noisy opinions and “sides.” When leaders or influencers seem to encourage anger or blame without evidence, it’s even more important for everyone to stick to what’s fair and true.
The Bottom Line
Justice only works if it’s fair for everyone—no matter who they are. That’s what “You must not pervert justice” is all about: don’t let your biases, money, or outside pressures twist what’s right. If we hold onto this idea, we’re building a community where people can trust each other and everyone has a fair shot. That’s something worth protecting, now more than ever.
Minster A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 