THE DAY THE PREACHER LIED
Published Aug 29, 2016
Updated Apr 26, 2017
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We followed the staircase down into the visually impressive church filled with anticipation. Sister B and I were intrigued to attend worship service in a new environment in Nigeria. We settled into our seats quickly and faithfully responded to every aspect of the service. As usual, my eyes wondered about, creating some acquaintance with the place.
We danced along though a tad conservatively since we were new in the place. A few extroverted church members were having the time of their lives as they took the front section of the church and amused everyone with their ‘churchy’ dance steps. Some of their faces danced (with smiles and expressions) more than their bodies.
He went further to say how bishops were treated as governors in Cameroon. Ahhh! Pentecostal bishops? Treated as governors in Cameroon? Meanwhile, in Cameroon at the time, the only recognised Bishop was Cardinal Tumi. And he wasn’t a pentecostal. He was a Roman Catholic.
If Bishop M were as famous as he claimed, couldn’t we have known him or even heard of him? He further said his wife drove a Prado- a woman who looked like she had been starved for days. And no, this is not a brilliant use of literary phrases. She seriously looked emaciated. I wondered how she sat in that chair comfortable with all the lies just like I often wonder how wives of lying pastors feel.
The Nigerians who were not in the know as we were, totally believed him, admired him and even Coupé-Décaléed along with him.
“For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” John 8: 44
Till date, I regret the fact that I didn’t take that bold step of speaking to Bishop M. I saw how much he was revered and I withdrew. I didnt want to be termed a “bad belle” person. As Christians, sometimes we need to speak the truth live and direct, politely and in love. After all, open rebuke is better than hidden love (Proverbs 27:5).
One time too many, I have watched untruths slide with ease from the mouths of supposed men of God. Take for instance an “award winning” testimony, which I have heard pastors narrate umpteen times. Here is how it goes:
“There was a sister in my church who had been married for (insert number) years. She came to me and said, “man of God, pray for me.” I prayed for her and she got pregnant with twins! After that, she got pregnant again with twins. The third time, she got pregnant again with twins! Then she told me, “man of God please tell God to stop. The blessing is too much!”
Friend, does this story sound familiar to you? So all these different men of God who have told the story were used by God to perform this exact specific miracle? Liar liar pants on fire!
Don’t get me wrong. God is a miracle worker, mountain mover and earth shaker. But we do not have to ‘help’ him with our lies. Just because you heard a story somewhere and it sounded good doesn’t mean you should fit yourself into a scene. That’s just like photoshopping yourself into a private jet. Saah!
I hear a lot of pastors narrate great things that happened when they were in say, Njinikejem. But when they are right ahead of you, those things don’t happen. Why? Stop creating and amplifying stories, to impress people, men of God!
Imagine Jesus standing in front of blind Bartimaeus saying, “The other day eh, I met a dead girl. Everyone was crying they were sad but I raised her up!” No, he didn’t do that. He just went ahead to perform the miracle. Stop telling myriads of stories to gain fame. In a multitude of words, sin is not lacking, says Proverbs 10:19.
To all of us, preacher or not, we should avoid lies telling like a plague. Look at what Proverbs 6: 16-19 says:
There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.
Did you see that lying is mentioned twice? This is a serious issue. God abhors lies-telling. Some people go as far as classifying some lies as “white lies”. Whether white, red, blue, green or purple, a lie is a lie. I wonder where Bishop M is today. But if I ever see him again, I will look into his face and say, “you lied.”
If you are guilty of lying to others and even to yourself, take a moment and ask God for forgiveness. Scripture says if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. (1 John 1:9)
“Telling the truth and making someone cry is better than telling a lie and making someone smile.”
Look at Linda Rika YouTube testimony. Six hours in hell two hours in Heaven. Lord is it you in the dream? Lord am I eligible for Heaven? Many cannot read. Read Matthew 22:11-13 clothing only keeps a man from Heaven.
Nigerians and churches ehhh! Precious I totally relate to this story.
Brenda, your comment is not late at all. First, thank you for stopping by my blog!
Imagine a pastor lying about travelling to the USA. This is so sad. When we focus on pleasing and impressing people, we displease God woefully!
Thanks for sharing your story, dear. May the eyes of many be opened so they won't be deceived by these bad eggs.
I know this is coming late but I was just going through your blog posts and in all, I decided to read this and even make a comment on how serious this topic is. I feel your write ups and I would want to plead with you that next time, please summon courage to meet him and tell him about his sins. You can't stand on the alter and lie to people. These people believe you as a leader and someone anointed by God.
Do you know how God mist have felt that day of the sermon? Only God knows I guess.
These kind of preachers are the ones leading people astray and some of them would say there is nothing in Christianity after coming in contact with one of the bad egss. I remember in 1999 when the husband of my mother's younger sister came to visit us in Lagos Nigeria from the Port Harcourt. He is a pastor. That journey he made from scout to western Nigeria was a journey from the pit of hell. He told his family members and the his church he was going to America for a bishop's conference, but on getting to Lagos to fly to USA, he told us he was trying to secure a visa.
Those in PH thought he was in USA, while we in Lagos thought he was waiting to finalise his Visa and to pick it up. A month in Lagos he spent and decided to go back to pH. On his return, and being oblivious, his wife and church members in pH hosted a welcome party for him with lots of drinks and food….
OK, what of pictures you took during during the conference, so done asked him? He gave a flimsy excuse.
Meanwhile all this time, we in Lagos were waiting for him to come back and fly thinking he went to pH to get some important things since he said he would be coming back to Lagos to fly.
Two months later, my mum was sent for an official assignment in PH and decided to stay with another of our relatives. While they were discussing, she asked her nephew if Pastor wasn't traveling again to USA? Confused by mum's question, she replier that has gone and come back… And that's how the bubble bursted on his head.
Wit other crimes and lies he committed, Assemblies of God terminated his appointment with them.
Sorry for the epistle.
My God!, really? and he is just one of the several. Lord have mercy!!!
.
Lord have mercy indeed, Splendor.
It's shocking, Berry.
So sad, Funke.
We need to be watchful.
Thanks, sis.
God cannot be mocked indeed.
OH WOW!!!!!!!!! I'm actually speechless. With my mouth open. I'm not sure what to say :-O
Berry Dakara Blog
Lmao.. tell God to stop blessing me ????.
Its sad that people now play with the name of the lord, May God keep us from fake pastors.
https://funkeolotu.com
That is what happens when we decide to walk by sight instead of by faith. Well you get the glory but God cannot be mocked.
Great piece sis.
Hi Bubu,
The list is truly endless.
That's the problem we have: more people following men of God instead of God Himself. If we could just take time to know God for ourselves, we would avoid being deceived by some of these men.
Thanks for adding your voice to this!
Presh, thanks for sharing. I grew up in the church but wallowed in my naivety. When my eyes opened. I saw thinnnngs! Pushing people's heads to fall under anointing by force, brag talk, emotional blackmail to give, false prophesies. The list is endless. My advice is to know God for yourself. Be intune with his word. Cos if anyone follows 'Men of God' instead of God (as most people do), they will be misled. May God continue to give us wisdom.
http://www.bubusboulevard.com
Hi Anon,
We should indeed know the word for ourselves so we won't be tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Thanks for always taking out time to read. God bless.
Hey Precious…..I discovered your blog on the Facebook First Ladies' page.I must commend your writings.I am blessed each time I read your write-ups.
It's really sad to know the world is being derailed by false MOG n true ones who have missed their focus.this can only be an encouragement for us children of God to know the Word and master if fr ourselves.Shalom!