WHEN THE BODY LANGUAGE OF A PROPHET BECOMES INSUFFICIENT IN POLITICS By Iyke Nwambie There are those who believe that a Minister of the gospel should be devoid of an opinion on political issues. They anchor their arguments on several metaphors. A friend of mine once said that a Pastor is like a father who should not take sides with any of his children...And as I chewed on his thought, I came to the conclusion that a father who would not take a stand in matters involving his children, and call a spade a spade is not just a cunning father, but a father who may allow his fears of saying or doing the wrong things to wreck his household. So, when my friend realized that his metaphor did not sustain the impetus of his argument, he came up with another metaphor: A pastor is like a judge in a matter who must maintain his or her neutrality in a case so as not to show any form of bias. Well, as much as I see the need for a judge in a matter to be neutral, I also know that that judge takes a firm stand after he or she had listened to the two sides of the case. Yes, that judge must rise to the occasion and call a spade a spade...he or she must tell us his or her clear-cut position in that case...not by his or her body language by in clearly stated words. And just as I thought that this answer would satisfy my very spiritual friend, he came up with another metaphor, ...but a pastor is like the mouthpiece of God...and as the mouthpiece of God, he has to speak for God. As I made an attempt to give him a response on this one, I started laughing, instead. And as I laughed at his third metaphor, he demanded to know why I was laughing. Well, since my favorite motivational speaker once said this, The question determines the answer, I decided to volunteer another answer to his question. I said, I laughed at your words because your metaphor simply contradicted your position in every way: First, you did not say that a Pastor is the body- piece of God but the mouth-piece of God. So, that means that if he or she is the mouth piece of God, he or she should speak out what God has said or did not say on an issue that is of public and national interest without the fear of whose Ox is gored. That mouthpiece of God must not keep people guessing with his or her body language since he or she is not a body-piece but a mouth- piece of God. Even after this response, my unrelenting friend continued with his line of reasoning as he ventured another metaphor: But the prophets in the Bible were very diplomatic in their approach to issues, they did not speak anyhow. Well, that answer also attracted another round of laughter from me as I gave him this response: Prophets are not called to be Public relation officers who must present matters in a way that will suit your convenience, they are called to say in public what God has said to them in private. That was why John the Baptist spoke clear words against Herod, Nathan the prophet hit King David with clear words from God, Samuel the prophet told King Saul in clear words what the will of God was, Jesus called the Pharisees a whited sepulcher...brood of vipers, Jonah was clear-cut about Nineveh, Isaiah was specific when he spoke to Hezekiah etc. in order to let them know their inadequacies. So, my drift is that, no prophecy is of any private interpretation if it affects a nation. The only excuse that can exonerate a Prophet from speaking with his or her body language is only if that Prophet has not heard anything specific from God. And if that Prophet has not heard anything from God on a particular matter, his or her body language must also not be appended with any great importance. So, my friend continued: Which of these Prophets in Nigeria do you believe their positions? Is it Father Mbaka who says one thing in November and changes it in January? Or Pastor Tunde Bakare who tells you one thing from the Bible and supports General Buhari who does not read the Bible? Or Bishop David Oyedepo who lets you know in clear terms that God has anointed him to wage a good warfare on the Jihadists in Nigeria and backs up his words with actions through his fiery prayers against them? Or Pastor E. A Adeboye who says nothing concrete but leaves his members to interpret his body language? Or Rev. Kris Okotie who abuses President Jonathan everyday, Or Rev. Chris Oyakhilomeh who chooses not to meddle in politics? Or Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor who has been shooting fierce faith arsenals against the Jihadists in Nigeria? Or Primate Olabayo who lets you know his stand per time based on what he claims to have heard from God? My answer to his questions was: It is not a case of which one do I believe? It is a case of which one do I understand? And that is because, you cannot believe or accept what you have not understood. So, while I understood those who have spoken clearly, I must say that I have not understood those who are just putting me through the unnecessary ordeal of interpreting their body language and silence. So, why do you think some prophets are not willing to speak-out on this issue? he asked....I think it is just a case of what I call, religious politics. Such Prophets either have not heard anything specific from God, or have heard but lack the boldness to say them for fear of losing the members of their congregations who may not accept such positions to have come from the Spirit of God. So, does it mean that such Prophets are simply playing politics with the people...I mean, either way, he or she will still be on the good side of the eventual winner in an election? my friend asked. I dont know exactly...But to be on the safe side, I really think it is a case of religious politics.... I firmly believe that if a Prophet is a mouthpiece for God, such a prophet should speak out for God in clear-cut terms...And if such a prophet does not want to meddle with national politics, he or she should not allow his or her body language to infer different meanings to willing onlookers...And such onlookers should, therefore, do due diligence to either hear God for themselves or simply follow their heart. May God bless Nigeria. Iyke Nwambie is the President of Advancement Inc.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 20:20:11 +0000
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