MayJewel

ONE THING THAT BEGAN TO TROUBLE ME ABOUT PENTECOSTAL CIRCLES.

One thing that has increasingly troubled me about many Pentecostal circles is the constant claim of hearing directly from God.

You often hear statements such as: "God told me," "God said this," "God revealed this to me," or "God told me to tell you."

While I believe that God still speaks and guides His people, I have also come to the conclusion that a significant number of these claims are either exaggerated, imagined, or simply untrue. Many of these declarations do not come from the Almighty God who was manifested in Christ, crucified, buried, and rose again. Often, what is presented as God's voice may simply be personal desires, ambitions, assumptions, emotions, or impressions being clothed in divine language. In some cases, one is left to wonder whether the source is something entirely different.

When I remember statements such as, "God told me I would become president after Buhari," I am reminded of the importance of testing every claim that is presented as a word from God.

As believers, we must be careful not to surrender our discernment whenever a religious leader says, "God told me." Scripture commands us to test the spirits and examine every prophecy. Not every declaration made in God's name originates from Him.

History has shown that many public predictions, prophecies, and pronouncements have failed, yet countless people continue to accept them without question. This should challenge us to return to the Scriptures and make God's Word our final authority.

My concern is not about personalities, denominations, or titles. My concern is truth. The Church must learn to follow Christ above men, no matter how influential, respected, or celebrated they may be.

The call of this hour is for spiritual awakening. Sleeping virgins, arise. Our faith must not rest on the claims of men but on the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Christ is the Founder of His Church. He remains the true Shepherd, the true Head, and the true Overseer of His people. He cannot be reduced to a denomination, institution, or human system built by men.

Let us seek Him, know Him through His Word, and follow Him wherever He leads.

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God..." (1 John 4:1).

The Lord Jesus Christ is His name.

LOVE CAN SUSPEND LAW

There are moments when strict adherence to policy, procedure, or principle must give way to something higher: compassion.

I understand the argument against paying ransom. I understand the concern that negotiating with criminals may encourage future kidnappings. Evil should never be rewarded, and criminals must ultimately be confronted and defeated.

But there is a question we must honestly answer:

What do we do about the innocent children who are already in captivity today?

This is no longer a theoretical debate about security policies. These are human beings. These are children. These are families living through unimaginable pain.

My brother, at this point, if you and I had the capacity, we would do everything possible to rescue them.

Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. You might see things differently. It is much easier to reason from a distance than to live through such a nightmare. Many who speak strongly against paying ransom may reconsider their position if it were their own child, sibling, spouse, or loved one in the hands of these criminals.

And let us be honest....if the children of a wealthy General Overseer or a prominent church leader were among the captives, are we certain the conversation would remain the same?

The painful reality is that government has already failed in its primary responsibility to protect these citizens and secure their immediate release. While we continue to demand stronger action against insecurity, preserving innocent lives must remain a priority.

Justice and mercy are not enemies.

We can fight evil and still show compassion to its victims.

We can demand accountability and still seek the rescue of those who are suffering.

We can pursue long-term security solutions while also responding to the urgent cries of those whose lives are at risk today.

As Christians, this conversation should matter even more to us.

I focus on the Church because I am a Christian. It is easy to point fingers elsewhere, but Scripture teaches us to examine ourselves first.

Government has responsibilities, but the Church has a higher calling. The Church is called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. The Church is called to reflect the character of Christ; His love, compassion, mercy, and concern for the suffering.

When people are kidnapped, abandoned, persecuted, or in distress, I naturally expect more from those who claim to follow Christ than from the systems of this world.

If we say we are Christians, then we must act like Christ.

Jesus is love.

Christianity is love in action.

Sometimes, preserving human life becomes more urgent than insisting on what policy says. Sometimes, mercy must speak before procedure. Sometimes, love must act while law debates.

This does not mean we stop fighting evil. It means we refuse to abandon innocent people while the fight continues.

For me, the preservation of human life must take precedence.

Love can suspend law.

Do you know that Mercy can speak where policy remains silent?
Yes, Sometimes, Mercy Must Precede Policy

And if Christ is truly our example, compassion should never become a casualty of principle.

My Scriptural anchor: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. Matthew 9:13