Because He Is Your Relative

Because He Is Your Relative

“You have just betrayed him. You murdered his seventy sons on one stone and crowned Abimelech—the son of his maidservant—king over Shechem’s leaders, simply because he is your relative.” (Judges 9:18 MSG)

Gideon had many sons—seventy in all—born to different wives. But there was also Abimelech, the son of a maidservant. After Gideon’s death, Abimelech exploited his maternal ties, persuading his mother’s relatives to back him. With their support, he slaughtered his brothers—seventy lives cut down in one brutal act—while only one escaped. And why did they stand with him? Not because he was the most capable, not because he was righteous—but because he was their relative.

That phrase—“your relative”—carries more weight than we often admit. It has justified poor decisions, protected wrongdoing, and elevated loyalty above truth. It has cost nations progress, weakened institutions, and blurred the line between justice and bias. When relationship becomes the standard for judgment, competence is sidelined, and righteousness is compromised.

You can see it play out in families, organizations, and even in national life—where tribe, language, or affiliation blinds people to the bigger picture. When we defend what is wrong simply because it is done by “our own,” we erode the very foundation of justice. Right becomes relative. Truth becomes negotiable.

But the call of Scripture is higher. It demands that we examine ourselves honestly—not through the lens of loyalty, but through the standard of truth. As 2 Corinthians 13:5 urges, we are to test and evaluate ourselves, ensuring that our faith is not just claimed, but demonstrated in how we live and decide.

The real question is this: Can you stand for what is right, even when it costs you comfort, connection, or convenience? Because integrity is proven most clearly when “your relative” is wrong—and you choose truth anyway.

Reflection
Where have you allowed loyalty to override truth? Are there moments when you defended, excused, or ignored wrongdoing because of personal ties? True maturity is not just knowing what is right, but having the courage to stand by it—consistently, impartially, and without compromise.

Prayer
Lord, search my heart and expose every bias that clouds my judgment. Give me the courage to choose what is right over what is familiar. Help me to love truth more than comfort, and justice more than personal gain. Teach me to walk in integrity, even when it is difficult, and to reflect Your righteousness in all I do. Amen.

Have a fruitful day,
(Dr.) Emmanuel Okoro
(aka Dr. Lift)

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