Apostle James, our Lord Jesus’s brother, whose five-chapter letter warns the wealthy, once advised believers to be “swift to hear, slow to speak.” James 1:19.”
This isn’t a trivial statement. It speaks to a profound truth about how we should operate.
We have two ears and one mouth, a simple but powerful design that implies God intends for us to listen more than we talk.
Speaking is a privilege, especially when you hold the microphone. At that moment, your words can either set you free or set you on fire.
Unfortunately, many preachers today seem to forget this rule.
The moment they mount the pulpit, they begin speaking at a rattling pace, often losing a sense of caution, especially when addressing a large crowd.
For some, the opportunity to preach becomes a license to vent their frustrations on both real and imagined enemies.
The most unholy use of the pulpit by my estimation is when the souls of those listening are treated like pawns on a chessboard. Many preachers, especially those motivated by money, are guilty of this. They are skilled psychologists.
They know exactly when and how to manipulate their audience to extract what they want.They are masters at preying on the hopes and fears of the congregation. As a result, many are led down a path of perdition without even realizing it.
The sad truth is that countless people are slipping toward spiritual ruin daily, led by preachers who use their pulpits to push people into a pit.
Our pastors have become content creators, amusing netizens with scandalous messages. You hear claims like “Jesus hates the poor,” “Job suffered because he didn’t pay tithe,” or “Jesus died because of a poverty issue.” You can add your own.
These are not the gospel; they are signs that the church is in trouble. And if nothing is done, it may be heading toward a deadly destination. While Jesus promised that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church, hell will certainly prevail against congregations that worship money and embrace mystic falsehoods. It’s just a matter of time.
Deception and Manipulation for Financial Gain
How else can we explain the sudden descent of so many preachers into self-deceit and the mockery of grace? The gospel has been reduced to a commodity, with material things deified to the point that a person’s worth is measured by their financial standing. It is no longer “Silver and gold I do not have,” but rather, “It’s all about the gold and the silver.” The very thing Apostle Paul warned against in 1Tim 6v5
If you’re reading this and are unconcerned about what is happening on our pulpits, you should be worried. Your apathy is a sign that you don’t see the rot. If you’re not concerned about the state of the church, on what basis do you even pray for it?
We must begin to ask ourselves: What is the true purpose of the pulpit? Is it to mesmerize listeners, to showcase intellectual acumen, to manipulate worshipers, or to save a soul from destruction?
Jim Jones and David Koresh
A man steps onto the stage with a microphone. What runs through his mind? What informs his message? Is it a desire to expand his own empire, or to lead people to Calvary?
The pulpit is a double-edged sword that can be used to either mould or destroy destinies.
Those versed in church history will understand this immediately. Remember David Koresh and Jim Jones? They used their pulpits to manipulate their followers.
There have been many David Koresh down history. The most dangerous ones are those who carry the face of sincerity but are ravenous wolves. They are not destroying their congregation outrightly. They are doing it slowly and scrumptiously.
If you are not spiritually discerning and fortified, you are likely to be swayed by the poisonous words that flow from these pulpits.
The poison often starts with a seemingly good admonition and then seeps in bit by bit. If you are lazy about studying the Bible for yourself, you will fall into their trap. You will readily be swayed. Your pastor will almost become your Holy Spirit, and everything he says will become a canon.
You will lose your sense of reason because you have not developed your own spiritual discernment. You have contracted your destiny to another man, which is why you will always be a victim of their manipulative lines.
The dangers of gospel focused on wealth
Why would people continue to attend an assembly where the pastor tells them Jesus hates the poor unless they have been enchanted? They are spellbound by the glamour and the illusion that they, too, will own private jets and live a luxurious life. Unfortunately, this dream will likely never materialize; it will remain an illusion.
A friend once shared how mesmerized he was by a pastor’s message. He ran home, grabbed his cheque book, and gave the church N1 million as an offering. Today, he no longer attends that church. He moved on after the “good message” failed to deliver on its implied promises.
The sad thing is he believed he was charmed, but the truth is he simply paid for his ignorance. When people fail to learn the right way, they will learn the hard way.
Giving should be encouraged, and people can give any amount they wish. The issue here isn’t the amount; it’s the circumstances that lead to the giving. When people are put on a path of transaction in their relationship with God, they will often regret their actions.
The real delusion
This issue of giving, however, is just one aspect of the poison infecting the Nigerian church. There is a general delusion at play. Our people have been exposed to a false gospel. It is the gospel of greed, competition, and material acquisition, not a call to Christ.
We are told there is a “sugar daddy” in heaven who is always willing to dance to our tune. As a result, many of us do not know Christ; we know cash, and our only interest is how we can share a testimony of financial breakthrough. That’s why so many fall victim to these “pulpit bandits.”
This same flawed philosophy was demonstrated by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly. I listened to his message, the rebuttal, and his apology regarding Apostle Ayo Babalola, and I still don’t believe he understands the full gravity of his words.
While he should be commended for having the courage to admit he “goofed,” he was still hiding behind a facade in that apology. The core issue remains his completely flawed philosophy of money and the gospel, a philosophy that runs through the pulpits of many other men of God. As long as we believe we cannot preach the gospel without money, we will continue to have these kinds of preachers.
Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” This is coming from Jesus himself. And we better listen to him.
Money is good
Am I saying money isn’t good or that we can do without it? Not at all. My great concern is the place we have given money. As long as we make money the main point, the gospel will continue to lose its power. Peter had so much power because he downplayed money.
The holy spirit and money don’t cohabit. We can’t serve God mammon. The reason we hardly see the move of God again is because many of us are prostrating before mammon.
Our generation is obsessed with wealth.
Sadly, some of today’s merchants of the anointing did not start this way. Way back in the 1970s, Pentecostal churches didn’t carry offering bags around. They had a box somewhere in the church where people would quietly put their offerings. There was no ostentation, drama, or pressure.
Today, the average pastor is under undue pressure, like a marketer who needs to meet a target. Can we save a soul on our own? No matter how beautiful our message is, it is the Holy Spirit that truly converts souls.
It is pure hypocrisy and meddling to think we love God more than His work.
Not all bad news
It’s not all bad news. The armies of God are rising by the day and they are pushing the frontiers of the gospel. I can attest to this. There are men and women in the trenches serving and are not swayed by mammon.
My counsel is simple: Get to know God. He is as close as your breath. He loves you and doesn’t want you to stray. He wants you to draw close to Him. This is about your destiny.
The gospel is not about worldly things; it is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Anytime you lose your peace, it is a sign that a strange spirit is at work. When a message does not emphasise righteousness whether implied or imputed, be wary of such message. And when you don’t experience joy it’s an indication you are yet to know him. The hallmark of believers is the peace around them.
A word, as they say, is enough for the wise. May his grace which passes human understanding abide with you always.