Superintendent of CAC Vineyard of Mercy DCC, Lagos, Pastor Anu Ojo
By Oluwagbenga Bankole & Boluwatife Oparinde
The Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Vineyard of Mercy Districts' Coordinating Council (DCC), Lagos, Pastor Anu Ojo has said that while it is dangerous to be powerless, misuse and abuse of spiritual power is more dangerous and disastrous.
He said this while delivering the lecture titled "Dangers of Merchandising Spiritual Gifts and Powers: Case Study of Gehaz and Balaam" at the just concluded CAC Pastors' Conference 2024 held at Babalola International Memorial and Miracle Camp, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State.
Stating that "if you are powerless, it is dangerous; but to misuse the power is more dangerous and disastrous," the cleric explained that "we must know the purpose of our giftings and our callings."
Speaking on the purpose of spiritual gifts and power, the 2nd CAC Youth Officer described that "the gifts, power and fruit dispensed by the Holy Ghost are defensive and offensive. Ephesians 6:10-18 classified the full armour of God as the belt, breastplate, shield and helmet are defensive; the sword, boots and prayerfulness are offensive" stressing that spiritual gifts and power are for people, and not for self.
He highlighted reasons behind merchandising gifts and powers, some of which are, political mindedness, lack of selflessness, mixing up business with grace, purposely ignoring the place and reasons for spiritual endowments, wrong background, indoctrination and belief system.
According to him, the dangers in gift and power merchandise include becoming replaced vessels, gaining the world and losing heavenly rewards, exposure to traps and monitoring spirits, loss of God's presence, inconsistency and pretense, among others.
The cleric described a situation where some ministers were praying for the death of their General Overseer, driving home the point on the need for God's power above sin, temptations, and evil people.
Pastor Ojo concluded that God compensates true service of men and women in His army, charging that or is better to continue to say the truth and lament then to keep silent and later regret the loss of divine manifestation.
"Christians can't - and shouldn't - totally shun the presence of sinners or unbelievers, but we are obligated to stand up for truth, righteousness and goodness, whether it's what others want to hear or not," he said.