Aziza Uko: Should we live in fear of ‘men of God’? (Y! Superblogger)

Does God really have some special people whom He punishes anyone who dares say anything against them?

“Aziza, I am concerned about the general tone of conversation among Christians especially the new generation churches. There’s so much fear of ‘man of God’. I even watch on TV as certain pastors teach that pastors and ministers are to be feared and they give dreadful examples. They quote “touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm”. I am concerned about this because it looks like those who do these seek to create some kind of cult following among their members. Also, if people are afraid of pastors how will the message of the gospel spread? What does the Bible say about all? Does God really have some special people whom He punishes anyone who dares say anything against them?”

Let’s just touch on some key issues you have raised.

First, no Christian should be getting involved in criticizing other people – I am talking about running other people down, throwing personal attacks, questioning their motives, and quite frankly engaging in destructive communication. Doing this to a fellow Christian is doubly wrong. It’s not necessary. It is unwise.

If you have doubts about a pastor or minister – don’t go to his church or watch his programmes on TV. If you spot a wrong teaching – correct it. Leave who taught it alone. Christians should never join movements to take down fellow Christians. It’s devilish. Leave other people alone and do what Jesus sent you.

Personally, I have some famous preachers that I am not comfortable with their aurora or their teaching. I have found it impossible to connect with them. What do I do? I just leave them alone and move on. That, I think is the best thing to do.

Come to think of it, I have noticed two things. Nobody hates his own pastor or criticizes his own pastor. Most people love their own pastor, worst case, they like their pastor. What people do is to attack other people’s pastors. It’s so unfair. It profits nobody.

The second point: Nobody is anointed to destroy a fellow Christian. Nobody is anointed to kill another human being.

The 9th chapter of Luke contains two profound teachings of Jesus that we can all learn from. The first is contained in Luke 9:49 – 50. There was a man casting out demons in Jesus’ name and Jesus’ disciples stopped him from doing so because he was not following them around. Jesus said they should leave the man alone. “And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.”

The second story – Jesus sent his disciples into a village and they were rejected. His disciples suggested that they command fire like Elijah did to consume the village. “But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. Luke 9:51 – 56 has the full story.

Does God elevate one Christian over another?

As heartbreaking as it may be to those trafficking in the notion of being special, the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ does not elevate one Christian above another. Jesus called and sent everybody who comes to Him, not just his apostles.

“After Jesus had greeted them again, he said, “I am sending you, just as the Father has sent me.” John 20:21

The Great Commission is for every Christian. Matthew 28:16 – 20

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The 11 disciples are long since gone to be with the LORD but the Commission is still in force.

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Aziza Uko is a Communications Professional, Marketing Strategist, Writer, Reader, Music Lover, and a Christ Follower. She is Editor-at-Large for Y! Magazine and YNaija.com. She blogs at www.azizauko.blogspot.com and tweets @azizauko.

 

Op-ed pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Y!/YNaija.

Comments (3)

  1. Fear no one but God; respect everyone, both horizontally and vertically, every single human being has a piece of God in him/her, everyone deserves respect.

  2. Don't let us forget that these people are called "men of God" underline the word – men! They are not angels & therefore not perfect. As much as I don't really suport undue extravegance in the church, who am I to flog someone else over how he chooses to spend his money? We have become so bitter over the years that we think people have no right to success or wealth as long as its more than ours. Again, I'm not an advocate for these "men of God" but I realise that they are MEN & I don't expect perfection from them cause men always fail. I look to God so that when these men mess up, I'm not disappointed. Reminds me of this poem that I saw: The Perfect Pastor

    The perfect pastor preaches exactly 10 minutes.

    He condemns sin roundly but never hurts anyone’s feelings.

    He works from 8am until midnight and is also the church janitor.

    The perfect pastor makes $40 a week, wears good clothes, drives a good car,

    buys good books, and donates $30 a week to the church.

    He is 29 years old and has 40 years experience.

    Above all, he is handsome.

    The perfect pastor has a burning desire to work with teenagers,

    and he spends most of his time with the senior citizens.

    He smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor

    that keeps him seriously dedicated to his church.

    He makes 15 home visits a day

    and is always in his office to be handy when needed.

    The perfect pastor always has time for church council and all of its committees.

    He never misses the meeting of any church organization

    and is always busy evangelizing the unchurched.

    The perfect pastor is always in the next church over!

    If your pastor does not measure up,

    simply send this notice to six other churches that are tired of their pastor, too.

    Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list.

    If everyone co-operates, in one week you will receive 1,643 pastors.

    One of them should be perfect!

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