THE CHURCH IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY (33)

The Ministers of gods

"Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you. For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things."

— Philippians 3:17-19

"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." — 2 Timothy 4:3

The way things appear today, I begin to wonder whether becoming a Church Minister entails any sacrifice, cost, or sacred calling at all. The Scriptures remind us in Jeremiah 23:1 — "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" — declares the LORD. Yet such shepherds multiply in our day.

Some days ago, a self-acclaimed prophet came to our school demanding to know who had sent his children back home. His children owed two terms' school fees, and after several patient attempts to reach him with proposals, we were left with no option but to send the children home. He returned them to school, furious and seething with anger, and declared that he was not merely a pastor but a prophet — and that he must meet whoever was responsible, that he might prophetically alter their destiny. I was deeply troubled when I learned of this upon his departure.

Here was a debtor, presumptuous before his creditor, clothing his shame in the garments of prophetic office. He refused to understand that before he could speak destiny into others, he must first allow the grace of God to break the yoke of poverty and disorder over his own household. As the Lord declared through the prophet Ezekiel: "Should not the shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool... but you do not take care of the flock" (Ezekiel 34:2-3). What a grievous snare!

There is a young man I know intimately. He is a master of examination malpractice — skilled, practiced, and entirely unashamed. He is also a confirmed drunkard. He has been hired by schools to train teachers in the art of academic fraud without hitch. Then, suddenly, he departed to a city near a higher institution and reinvented himself as a prophet. Within a short time, he had amassed influence — just as he had wielded influence in his former trade of deceit.

I listened to his so-called prophetic prayers on social media and knew instantly that many souls would suffer greatly at the hands of this self-acclaimed prophet who, to my certain knowledge, has never experienced genuine salvation or repentance. And soon enough, the fruit of his character was revealed — he impregnated a young woman and fled from that vicinity, no doubt to find fresh ground where his evil merchandise might continue undiscovered.

The Lord Jesus forewarned us: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:15-16). The fruit of this man is rotten to the core.

I have heard of pastors engaging in physical combat at association meetings — men who are supposed to embody the Prince of Peace resorting to fists and fury. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Where is this fruit?

I have heard of pastors threatening one another with local charms and fetish powers — men who claim to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit running to darkness for leverage.

And today, many scavengers parading themselves as God's servants are floating churches as personal retirement enterprises — precisely as some governors in Nigeria join the National Assembly as a retirement benefit. These men do not shepherd; they harvest. They do not serve; they feed upon the flock. As Peter gravely warned: "Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, watching over them — not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve" (1 Peter 5:2).

I fear that many vulnerable souls will become victims of these self-styled servants of God whose stomach is their god — as Paul declared in Philippians 3:19. These men are mannerless, untrained, without a definite encounter with the living Christ, and their singular purpose is to exploit God's people for personal advancement. They are scattered everywhere, exerting great influence through sugar-coated words and theatrical performances.

"Their mouths are full of boasting, and they flatter others for their own advantage" (Jude 1:16).

What a perilous time we are in! The Apostle Paul himself warned Timothy: "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive... having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people" (2 Timothy 3:1-2, 5).

These men are the true enemies of the cross. They have taken the cross — that sacred instrument of redemption — and fashioned it into a tool of vengeance, manipulation, and exploitation, rather than receiving it as the crucible of salvation and self-denial. Christ declared: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). These men deny nothing. They take up nothing. They follow no one but themselves.

These are the spiritual children of Absalom, who stole the hearts of the men of Israel through flattery and cunning strategy (2 Samuel 15:1-6). Their singular intention is to blind men to Christ and redirect that worship and loyalty toward themselves. They are the savage wolves Paul wept over: "I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard!" (Acts 20:29-31).

Their speech is vague, hollow, and destitute of sound doctrine — yet inflated with pride and arrogance. They conduct themselves in a manner that only the spiritually discerning and truly courageous dare to confront.

One of the most subtly dangerous snares that solution-driven Christians have wandered into in our time is precisely the clutches of these savages. Many have entered their harem, mistaking spectacle for anointing and charisma for calling.

We must not merely defend our territory against them in fear — we must go on the offensive to deliver those who have already been captured. As Jude urges: "Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear" (Jude 1:22-23).

Rise up, brother. Rise up, sister. The whole creation groans in pain, eagerly waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God (Romans 8:19-22). Let us awaken and confront this Simon the Sorcerer who seeks to purchase and peddle the things of God for personal gain (Acts 8:18-23).

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes" (Ephesians 6:11).

This battle must be fought. And in Christ, it shall be won.

It is well with us. In Jesus' name.

✓A CALL TO PRAYER PARTNERSHIP✓

"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

— Matthew 18:19-20

Can you join me as we form a circle of prayer and intercession for the Church and the saints? The hour demands it. The flock requires it.

If you feel led to partner in this burden of prayer, please reach out with the words:

"I WANT TO PARTNER WITH YOU IN PRAYER."

Peter Abdul-Razaq Olayinka

A Serving Missionary — Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara

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