The two different video clips were shared by friends on social media. One was that of a pastor preaching in his church. Then, what I believe was a deviation from the actual message took place.
He took divorcees and single mothers to the cleaners. He said a supposed believer was ‘mingling herself’ (whatever that means!) with a certain single mother. He concluded with this ‘any Baby Mama that will bring her money to this altar, HOLY GHOST.”And the congregation chorused ‘FIRE.’
I said to myself, what choice does such glaring rejection from a pulpit that should offer solace to the troubled leave that category of women, who seek salvation from his fold? It’s obvious that every of life’s circumstances is in black and white to an IGNORANT mind.
In my books, winning souls 101 should be this, YOU DON’T THINK LOW (let alone voice it) OF ANYBODY, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM.
You can’t convert whom you have not shown acceptance or love. The second video clip had to do with a popular prophet in this clime at a service in his domain. He pointed at a lady and asked her to stand up.
“Where is your husband?,’’he asked her. She replied that they were separated. And she has no idea about his movement now. He thundered, ‘you are married to somebody and you don’t know his whereabouts. Let me tell you, you are the cause of the problem in that marriage. You are very stubborn. That man still loves you but you are very stubborn.’’
The lady said,, “Yes, sir. I know I am stubborn but the issue is that he didn’t want me to keep working.” As she made to explain the nature of her job (banking), he shut her up with, ‘keep quiet. Are you a bank manager?’
Turning to the congregation, he said,, “she wants to tell us that she works in the bank. Working in the bank. Is she the bank manager? She is a stubborn woman.”
Much as I struggle to understand why people’s problems should be televised, what hurts more is the seeming INSENSITIVITY with which those who should know better handle others.
With that public disgrace, can anybody imagine the fate of that woman in the hands of an unreasonable spouse, or in-laws?
Even if she sneezes, it becomes, ‘After all, the prophet said it o, that you are the problem in this family.’ Thanks to that public ridicule, even strangers have become experts on the woman’s character because ‘prophet’ said so.
Frankly, we ALL contribute to the damage of others in this environment without realising it! Sometimes, I wonder if the essence is still RESTORATION, which is what salvation is all about. Because, if the goal is to RESTORE, there will be absolutely no need to judge anybody or even insult their sensitivity.
In this race called life, only God has the final say in the life of everyone. And until you breathe your last, you can’t be sure of how the race ends for you. “Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12.
I often wonder if those who are quick to shame others understand the UNCERTAIN nature of life. It ought to dawn on anybody who professes to know God that Jesus treated people as they ought to be. And NOT as their shortcomings made them. Love (NOT judgement) sows the seeds of tranquility and change in people. It doesn’t require unchecked brashness or insensitivity to pass a message of salvation across if it’s intended for restoration. Any so-called sermon that has even a tinge of judgement in it is mere adulation of self because God corrects in love. John 8:7
Credit: Chukwuneta Oby, Punch