It is written in the Holy Bible “study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”, (11 Timothy 2:15). This position is an authority to the effect that, Christians should not just accept and swallow anything from their leaders in the name of ‘fearing or serving God’, without having recourse to the commendation of the Christians in Berea, who did not blindly follow the doctrine and practice of great Christian leaders at that time, without searching to know if the things they practice or preached were actually based on the provision in the scripture.
It is also written that. “ These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they receive the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so,” (Acts 17:11) Many other scriptural provisions abound, that also goes to prove that Christians should be careful in accepting teachings from their leaders.
Based on what is documented in the Holy Bible, Christians are expected to personally study the Bible through individual efforts, by the aid of the Holy spirit, so that they will not become subjected victims to people’s personal opinions or feelings, as it relates to Christian practice. It is written that “ Till we all come in the unity of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, wherby they lie in wait to deceive”, (Ephesians 4: 13-14).
“Hear my words, O ye wise men,; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat” (Job 34: 34:2and 3). Another scripture has it that “Beloved, belive not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because mange false prophet are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the spirit of God. Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is that spirit of antichrist, where of ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world”, (1John4:1-3).
Today, particularly in Nigeria, and some African countries, Christians express so much fear concerning church leaders mode of operation. They do not search the scripture to know how things should be done and why they should take a particular approach. They are easily swayed by tactful and well calculated, and arranged teachings; in such that, they do not receive interpretation of the scripture through the Holy Spirit, rather, they believe every word that their teachers and leaders heap-up for them to hear and retain. Even when they should take proactive steps to humbly and respectfully approach their leaders in the spirit of love and justice, in a bid to point-out or attempt to correct the misnomer that is noticed, or unbiblical practice that the church leader may be found guilty of, they will rather regurgitate the fear that had been planted in them which has it that” touch not my anointed and do my prophets no harm”. Or they will project the case where Miriam and others spake against Mosses and were punished.
Recently, a pastor in South Africa, Pastor Lesego Daniel of Rabboni Centre Ministries, located at Garankuwa TUT campus, Pretoria, was alleged to have made his members eat grass early this year, and later, made them drink petrol that he “miraculously” turned into pineapple juice, claiming that it tastes sweet, like pineapple juice and Iron Brew.
In Nigeria, we have seen cases where church leaders have made a ‘god’ unto the people in the sense that they enjoy so much control over the church members to the effect that whatever they say will continue to hold water. The people have been made to begin to see their fellow men as gods, and also treat them as such. We have seen where in the church, leaders ask their members to bring cane with them to church service.
The purpose was to flog the devil spiritually, by hitting the cane on the walls of the church. Another case experienced in Nigeria is a situation where the pastor of the church made members of the church to throw punch in the air, with the believe that they are fighting the devil with the intent that they would secure success or break through in the fight.
In other Nigerian churches, there has been cases where leaders make the people pray that demons should die. The question that should agitate the minds of people along this line is that “do demons really die, knowing that they are spiritual and not physical beings?” “Did Jesus kill any demon during his ministry on earth?” These, and many more, are the questions that church members should ask and also search the scripture to know, whether or not, these practices are to be totally accepted, as part of true Christian practice.
Some churches have also been found to teach their members practically on how they should speak in tongues through emulation. When people truly study to show themselves approved unto God just like the scripture suggest, then it would be very easy for them to figure-out whether such teaching is based on the scripture or not.
True Christian life should be patterned after the ‘way of life’ as led by Jesus while he was on earth, and all the examples and instructions he gave. If it were true that demons die, then all the demons, including witches and wizards, and even satan himself, would have been totally eradicated, and the world would be free from evil.
Christians should endeavour to study to show themselves approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, but with proper spread of the truth among other young Christians in such that wrong information will not go into circulation.
There is need for Christians to study the scriptures so that they will not be carried away by every wind of doctrine.
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