Many of today’s young people have grown up in a system where irregularities are normalized, shortcuts are common and truth is often the first casualty. From family discussions to public offices, from street corners to church committees, patterns of compromise are quietly observed and slowly absorbed. I once witnessed a situation where someone was clearly in the wrong yet everyone stayed silent. No one wanted to offend, challenge or lose favour. At that moment, I realized right and wrong didn’t matter as much as relationships and reputation. It wasn’t a dramatic event but it left a lasting impression. If this is normal, what happens to truth? Young people are not rebellious by default nor are they dismissive of tradition. But they are confused not just by the world around them but by the contradictions within it. They were born into this system not by choice but by inheritance.
A generation that observes quietly: Young people are often described as impulsive or idealistic but they are also deeply perceptive. They see the disconnect between what is preached and what is practiced. They notice when decisions are made not by merit but by connections. They hear stories of faith on Sundays and whispers of favouritism and mismanagement during the week. This awareness does not make them cynical overnight. But over time, it fosters a quiet disillusionment. Many begin to wonder, is this how the world really works? If integrity is seldom rewarded, what’s the point of striving for it?
When expectations lack examples: Young people are urge to aim high, to work hard and to live upright lives. These are good and necessary values. But when the examples set before them are inconsistent, the message becomes confusing. It is difficult to tell a student that honesty matters when they see opportunities granted through influence rather than effort. It’s painful to ask them to uphold Christian values when those values appear negotiable in public life or community leadership. This is not to say there are no good examples but they are often overshadowed by louder, more visible and compromises. The outcome is a generation caught between aspiration and uncertainty, striving to make sense of the gap between what is taught and what is lived.
Family as the first school of integrity: The foundation of both the church and society is the family. And it is in our homes that values are most deeply rooted. When parents model fairness, humility and truthfulness even in small things, it builds a framework of trust. But when children see double standards at home, they grow up with mixed messages. Integrity is not inherited by words but demonstrated through life. We do not need perfect families, we need honest ones. Homes where mistakes are acknowledged, where forgiveness is practiced and where ethical choices are discussed openly and these become the breeding ground for clarity and moral strength.
The role of the church in shaping clarity: The Church has long been a cornerstone in shaping moral foundations. But in times of social uncertainty, its role becomes even more crucial not merely to comfort but to clarify. There is an urgent need for churches to speak gently yet truthfully, not just about personal salvation but also about integrity in leadership, stewardship and public life. Our youth are not seeking entertainment for its own sake but they are searching for conviction that is lived out. When the Church models transparency and courage, young people begin to see that faith is not just personal but it is also transformational.
The path forward: It is easy to point fingers at a broken system. But healing comes when we are willing to look within and begin with ourselves. We must acknowledge that corruption and confusion are not distant forces yet they often begin in small compromises, silent approvals and the fear of being different. But the same is true for renewal, it begins quietly with one decision, one act of courage and one step of integrity. If our families become places of honesty, our churches become spaces of accountability and our leadership becomes grounded in service, we can give the next generation clarity instead of confusion.
What must be done: This isn’t a problem that youth conferences or elections can fix. What we really need is something much harder: the courage to tell the truth. We have to be honest about the corruption that has crept into our families, our churches and our governance. And this honesty must start with the older generation. It’s easy to say, “The youth are going off track,” but we need to ask ourselves, Who showed them the path they’re following? We need families that model integrity at home. We need churches that protect truth more than reputation. We need leaders, both spiritual and civic who are willing to lose status for the sake of justice. Most of all, we need to return to the essence of the Gospel. It should no longer be reduced to tradition but recognized as the living truth that reshapes our hearts and renews our minds.
This is not written to condemn but a call for integrity in a time of compromise, for clarity in a time of confusion and for courageous hope in a time of quiet frustration. We may not be able to change everything overnight. But we can begin with honesty. We can start by listening to our youth, reviewing our systems and asking ourselves: what kind of world are we handing over? Let it not be said that they were born in corruption and raised in confusion. Let it be said that they were guided with grace, challenged with truth and empowered to walk in the light. We often ask God to “heal our land,” but healing requires honesty. And honesty requires humility. We cannot fix what we are unwilling to face. It is time to stop pretending that everything is fine. Our youth are not okay. Our systems are not okay. Our spirituality is not okay. But the gospel was made for such times not for polished people but for broken societies ready to repent. Let the confession begin. Let the rebuilding start. And may the next generation be born again not into corruption but into conviction.
Dr. Bendang Andrew
Sunday, February 8, 2026