Understanding the Dangers of Perverted Justice in Simple Terms
Introduction
Imagine a society where the people in charge of making and enforcing laws are no longer working for the good of everyone, but instead use their power to go after those they don’t like. This can happen when a leader has a personal grudge—what we call “personal animus”—against someone and decides to use the police, courts, or government to punish them. The Bible, in Habakkuk 1:4, describes a very similar situation in ancient Judah, and there are powerful lessons for us today.
What Does Habakkuk 1:4 Say?
Habakkuk 1:4 talks about a time when the law was “paralyzed”—in other words, the rules that should keep people safe and make things fair simply didn’t work anymore. Justice wasn’t being done. Instead of protecting the innocent and punishing the guilty, the system was twisted around so that corrupt and “wicked” people were running the show. The good and honest people were surrounded, and justice was being turned upside down. In simple terms, bad people were using the law to hurt good people, and the true meaning of justice was lost.
Breaking Down the Verse in Everyday Language
· “The law is paralyzed…” – The rules don’t work anymore. They might as well not exist because nobody in power is following them.
· “…and justice never goes forth” – Right decisions are never made. Even when someone tries to do the right thing, it doesn’t happen.
· “For the wicked surround the righteous…” – The bad people outnumber and overpower the good. Honest folks feel trapped and helpless.
· “…so justice goes forth perverted” – The legal system is so twisted that it actually hurts the innocent and helps the guilty.
When Leaders Abuse Law Enforcement
This is exactly what happens when a leader uses their authority to send law enforcement after people they don’t like. Instead of serving everyone equally, the system becomes a tool for personal revenge. The law no longer protects the average person—it becomes a weapon in the hands of someone with a grudge.
When this happens, people lose faith in fairness and justice. The “rules” feel pointless, and it seems like only those with power or connections get a fair shot. Those who try to do the right thing may feel defeated or even wonder if it’s worth the effort to be honest. In the long run, this leads to a society where nobody trusts the system, and everyone is out for themselves.
Why Is This So Dangerous?
When justice is twisted by those in power, it spreads like a disease. Other people see that the bad guys “get away with it,” and start to think, “Why shouldn’t I do the same?” Even those who want to be good may give up, thinking that being honest just leads to trouble. The more this happens, the more society falls apart.
What Can We Learn?
The message of Habakkuk is clear: when justice is perverted, everyone suffers. It’s not just a problem for those targeted by the leader’s “personal animus”—it’s a problem for the whole nation. History and scripture both show that God sees this kind of injustice and warns that it cannot last forever. Eventually, wrongdoers will face consequences, even if it seems like they’re getting away with it for a while.
Conclusion
In summary, when those in power use the law to go after people they personally dislike, it destroys the very idea of justice. Habakkuk 1:4 reminds us that this is not a new problem, but it’s always dangerous. A just society requires laws that are fair, applied equally, and not used for personal vendettas. Without that, everyone is at risk, and the foundation of the community crumbles.
Minister A Francine Green
October 2025
afrancinegreen.com 