BY; BODE OPESEITAN
Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has long maintained a posture of intercession and behind-the-scenes counsel regarding Nigeria’s leaders.
Guided by biblical injunctions, Adeboye acts on the mandate of 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV):”I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
Adeboye’s approach highlights the biblical principle of honouring the office of the leader, regardless of the individual’s personal faith or performance. When navigating national turbulence, he has historically chosen quiet mediation and spiritual counsel over public rhetoric. For instance, when addressing severe security challenges, Adeboye has noted: “In my usual quiet way, I have related with all the presidents… Whatever I discussed with them privately, I did my best behind the scenes. But you can only advise the Commander-in-Chief, you can’t command him.” By engaging leaders in private, he preserves a prophetic voice that calls for diplomatic and decisive action without descending into political partisanship.
The Oyedepo Contrast: The Pulpit and Politics
In sharp contrast, Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel) has taken a markedly different path. Oyedepo has been vocal about his political stances. During the 2023 Presidential election, he openly supported Peter Obi of the Labour Party and has never hidden his disdain for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a notable pulpit address, Oyedepo questioned the administration’s direction, asking his congregation, “Is this government doing well?” to which the congregation overwhelmingly responded with a resounding “No” (perhaps, out of respect for a man they regard as their spiritual leader).
Yet, this public antagonism uncovers a fascinating spiritual irony. Despite his open disdain and pulpit endorsements, the APC prevailed both in Ado‑Odo/Ota LGA, where his church sits, and in Irepodun, his native LGA. This dichotomy perfectly echoes the proverb: “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, NIV). It is a reminder that the geopolitical and spiritual will of God frequently supersedes the political alignments, endorsements, or grievances of even the most prominent spiritual leaders.
Lessons in Submitting to the Will of God
The profound lesson for Bishop Oyedepo, and all Christian leaders navigating the delicate intersection of church and state, revolves around the definition of a true “man of God.” While credentials and church growth are notable, the ultimate gauge of a spiritual leader is submission to God’s overarching will. Leaders must ask themselves a sharpening, introspective question: Is the opposition to a sitting government based on divine revelation, biblical principles, or is it the manifestation of the leader’s own political will and preferences? If a man of God positions himself based on personal desires for a specific political outcome rather than the peaceful, prayerful pursuit of God’s sovereign plan for the nation, he risks operating outside divine timing.
Finding the Balance: Prayer Over Partisanship
The narrative arc of Christian leadership requires a delicate balance: addressing societal ills while remaining entirely submissive to the sovereignty of God. Romans 13:1 commands believers to be subject to governing authorities, as they are established by God. While leaders are absolutely called to speak truth to power and advocate for the oppressed, they must do so reflecting the wisdom, timing, and temper of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Adeboye’s model teaches that genuine spiritual influence is won through earnest intercession, respect for established authority, and a quiet, diplomatic pursuit of justice, rather than emotional entanglement in political contests.
The lesson for Bishop Oyedepo, and the broader Christian community, is clear: spiritual authority is compromised when the pulpit is used as a partisan political platform. A true man of God must ensure that his voice, whether in commendation or rebuke, is guided by the Holy Spirit and submitted to the divine truth that God ultimately establishes the kings and leaders of the earth. Not Oyedepo. Not Adeboye. The task of the church is not to predict God’s will through political preference, but to discern it through prayer, humility, and obedience.
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