ODM Daily Inspirational Devotional Messages Bible Verse and Prayers ODM
DCLM Daily Manna
Sunday, September 13, 2026
Danger of Corrupting The Gospel
KEY VERSE
“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:17).
Bible Reading:
2 Corinthians 2:14-17 (KJV)
14 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
15 For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
16 To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?
17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
MESSAGE
In the Spokesman Review of December 8, 1984, we find the story of Pedro De Mesones, who served a three-year prison sentence for mail fraud and conspiracy. He told a congressional panel that in three years of “expediting” medical degrees, he provided about 100 clients with false transcripts showing they had fulfilled medical requirements of schools they didn’t attend. “Clients paid me from $5,225 to $27,000 for my services, De Mesones said. In all, I earned about $1.5 million in those three years. I only got to keep about $500,000 of this total. The rest went for bribes and expenses.”
Fraud not only exists in the secular world, but it is sadly present too among the clergy. There are so-called men of God who carry certificates from Bible schools and colleges, but showcase lives that are uncomplimentary to their calling. Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, breaks it all down for us. He tells of the air or aura around the minister, which draws both saints and sinners unto him to hear the truth about the divine demands upon man. He warns that the gospel will become a savour of death unto death if not made a savour of life unto life.
Once the gospel is corrupted, it becomes a different variant, or ‘another gospel’, which lacks the essential ingredients to make it whole. Those whom the Apostle accuses of the contrary practice, of corrupting the word of God, seem to have been Jews, who accepted Jesus to be Christ and His gospel to be divine, yet adulterated it by intermingling with it the Law of Moses and their own traditions. And in doing this, their principal intention was to make a gain of Christ, which, consequently, brought them under a necessity of concealing the end they proposed, as well as the means they used to obtain it.
On the contrary, those who intend the good of humanity are by no means concerned to hide their intentions. They come out plain. They do not preach a gospel with private interpretation. If the benefit we propose in speaking is to ourselves alone, it is often in our interest to keep it private. If the benefit we propose is to others, it is always in our interest to make it public. Corrupting the gospel can be in the form of adding, subtracting or embellishing it with worldly contents so that it loses its form and strength. We should, as believers and preachers of the word, be very vigilant and contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints. We should avoid all forms of adulation for errant preachers who preach the gospel to fill up their bellies. We should always live our lives in conformity with Christ’s demands.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The gospel corrupters soon perish with their filthy lucre
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Numbers 11-13
COMMENTARY
1. The Reality of Gospel Corruption – Paul warns that some corrupt the word of God. This corruption can take various forms: adding human traditions, subtracting essential truths, or embellishing the gospel with worldly content. Any alteration to the pure message of salvation by grace through faith creates “another gospel” that lacks saving power.
2. The Motive of Corruption – The Judaizers corrupted the gospel for personal gain. They sought to make a profit from their ministry, using religion as a means of financial advancement. This is a warning to all ministers: the gospel is not a tool for enrichment. Those who preach for personal gain will face judgment.
3. The Consequence of Corruption – Paul warns that the gospel becomes “a savour of death unto death” when corrupted. Instead of bringing life, a distorted gospel brings judgment. Those who preach a corrupted message are responsible for leading others astray and will face severe consequences.
4. The Call to Sincerity – In contrast to corrupters, Paul and his companions spoke with sincerity, as of God, and in the sight of God. True ministers do not hide their intentions or manipulate the message. They proclaim the gospel plainly, seeking the good of others, not personal gain.
5. The DCLM Ministry’s Call to Guard the Gospel – The Deeper Christian Life Ministry emphasizes the importance of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints. Pastor Kumuyi teaches that believers must be vigilant against false teachers and must not support those who preach for profit. The Daily Manna devotional calls readers to examine the messages they receive and ensure they align with Scripture.
About DCLM and Daily Manna
The Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) was founded in 1973 by Pastor Dr. W.F. Kumuyi. From a small Bible study of 15 students in Lagos, it has grown into a global ministry with churches across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond. The ministry emphasizes holiness, prayer, Bible study, and guarding the purity of the gospel.
DCLM Daily Manna is a daily devotional written by Pastor Kumuyi. Each edition provides Scripture reading, exposition, and practical application to guide believers in their daily walk with God. The devotional consistently calls readers to stand against corruption and to preach the gospel with sincerity.
Prayer Reflection
Lord, protect me from corrupting Your Word. Help me to preach and live the gospel with sincerity, seeking only Your glory and the good of others. Keep me from using the gospel for personal gain. May my life be a sweet savour of Christ to those I encounter. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
