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Every generation has its peculiar challenges and trends. After Adam fell in the Garden of Eden, every human being that ever lived or that will ever live on mother earth must contend with what quintessential gospel preacher, Rev. Silas Yako, calls ‘generational devils’ who infiltrate and try to corrupt Gods goodness and purpose for every generation. This implies that every generation has a devil to conquer. Little wonder, Rev. Col. (Dr.) S.K Bargo’s admonition which I cited in my book, ‘Luring Trends’ comes in handy; “God reveals His wisdom generationally” (Dickson, 2021: xv). Thus, the wisdom of God and the power of God are fundamental to conquering the ‘generational devils’ ravaging our children, the Church, society, and the world.
The ‘generational devils’ of this 21st century are complicated. Complicated not because the devil has become more ferocious than he was in history or because of the absence of right or wrong, evil or good. It is complicated because this generation is making relative of Christian’s standard of measurement- the BIBLE. Ironically, the infallible truth in the Bible is being distorted by both the preachers of the Bible and practitioners when it relates to practicing biblical truth. For example, some practices that the Bible calls sin are what our Society (sometimes, even the Church) preaches against, but are guilty of the same in practice. Here are some of such practices: The truth which used to be absolute is now relative, i.e. truth is now determined by the individual preacher or Christians, not the Bible. Once upon a time when the Bible speaks in the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ all Christians responded ‘Amen’, but today (“Now upon a time”), experience has it that Christians now question Biblical positions on life, morality, and value systems, especially biblical teachings that expose and speak against the works of the flesh as written in Gal. 5:19-21 (Tree of Life version). 19 “Now the deeds of the flesh are clear: sexual immorality, impurity, indecency, 20 idolatry, witchcraft, hostility, strife, jealousy, rage, selfish ambition, dissension, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, just as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.” The practices of these things in any form are unacceptable by the biblical truth- irrespective of who is practicing them. Though ‘Now upon a time” these vices seem entertained and celebrated in some Christian gatherings. Let us frown at and speak against these vices as negating biblical standards of Christian living. How can we entertain the practices that the Bible condemns and still professes to be Christians?
Another twist in the “Now upon a time” is the praxis of dressing. Dressing that used to be seen and addressed as nakedness / immoral is now colorfully termed ‘fashion’ or ‘trendy’ or ‘looking sexy’. A former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Eme Ekaette, Chairperson of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Women and Youth, once said that “no responsible society should fold its arms while its institutions, put in place to perpetuate the nation are taken over by forces promoting unbridled freedom.” She went further to say “those who want to parade the streets naked in the name of modern fashion can do so in marketplaces, public squares, and perhaps on the beaches, but the state and civil society owe a responsibility to civilized behavior to protect institutions such as schools, churches/mosque and government buildings from disoriented models of new fashion. If we must be sincere, naked women are among the remote causes of the alarming breakdown of public morality and the general moral fiber of our contemporary society.” Professor Michael Asuzu of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, concurs and adds “women who dress to reveal flesh wish to make this simple statement, ‘I am available- take me, if you like what you are seeing.” (Daily Sun; Feb. 13, 2008, pg. 16). Trust me when I tell you, we must intentionally address the issue of dressing in our Churches. Body-revealing dresses by ladies and boxer-revealing dresses by men invite us to question the content of the minds. Remember that a wo/man’s mind reveals who s/he is (Prov. 23:7), so does a wo/man’s fruit (action) reveal her/his mind (Mt. 7:16). So, though nobody knows your mind, your fruit as expressed in deeds/actions and behavior, reveal your mind.
One more twist in the ‘Now upon a time’ is integrity. A mentor, Dr. James Zasha told me a story of how in his undergraduate days at Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U) Zaria, the newspaper vendors will bring their newspapers on campus in the morning and leave them at the paper stands with some money (change) and go back home. Students and lecturers, he said, will go to the stand, pick the paper of their choice and leave their payments at the designated newspaper stand (remember that the vendor is not present). At the end of the day, the vendor returns pick money left as payment and his ‘unsold’ papers. Distinguish ladies and gentlemen, can that happen in our universities today (be it a secular or religious university) or seminary, or even inside religious worship centers? I agree with your answers. Integrity in words and deeds is a potent message of Christianity.
In conclusion, every one of us must conquer the ‘generational devil’ of “Now upon a time” by getting back to the Word (Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 4:20- 27). We must also discipline ourselves to believe and live by God’s Word. It was the ECWA president, Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Panya Baba observed that “a lot of Christians Study the word but either don’t believe in it or don’t want to live by it.” Until the Bible determines our values, reasoning, relationships, and ‘culture’, we may end up sustaining the religiosity of Christianity without breathing the life that Christianity gives to society.
For ongoing discussion, contact:
YouTube: OJ Dickson Tv
Website: www.ojdickson.org
WhatsApp: +2348061582006
Facebook Page: OJ Dickson Ministry
Awesome and timely piece
Thank you Revo.
An inspiring write up with great lessons. Thank you sir
Thanks so so much sir… so timely bro
Very timely and relevant. Most at times you hear the word but you don’t see the word in practice.
Very appropriate and relevant to the body of Christ. Thank you very much Rev Dickson.
Thank you very much sir.
Sir,if i may ask what is the cause to change in our character and attitude that has resulted to a society without truth and sincerity in our conduct?
Thank you so much Pastey! We learn and grow spiritually and physically reading words like this. God bless Sir.
We must also discipline ourselves to believe and live by God’s Word. It was the ECWA president, Rev. (Dr.) Stephen Panya Baba who observed that “a lot of Christians Study the word but either don’t believe in it or don’t want to live by it.” Until the Bible determines our values, reasoning, relationships, and ‘culture’, we may end up sustaining the religiosity of Christianity without breathing the life that Christianity gives to society.
Now upon a time, a timely message that every institution, nailed down to the church must consider doable at this point in time while individuals must present themselves as a tool to this effect 👌. More Grace Pastoo🙏
We have been at the end times. Chtist said when He comes back will fund faith. These are the signs of the end time. Lukewarmness and indifference yo the hhings of God. Thepulpit where the truth is suppose to be preached have become corrupted . Elders have resorted to court cases. Money the God of the world is bringing the saints down. And Sheoherds look lucrative congregations to feed fat.so, the Bible is no longer a plumb line.
A very strong message in a failing society. May God increase you daily, Amen.
Thank you Sir.
Thank you so much Daddy for this timely message, this is nothing far from what we see everyday in the Boys’ Brigade. I trust God to help me live by these truths and be an example to my generation.
I celebrate, love and honour you greatly Sir.
What a word 👏, thanx for these timely message ,pls sir don’t stop i pray for more increase of wisdom ,knowledge an fresh anointing in jesus name 🙏
Thank you so much sir for this truth. I trust God to help my generation Amen, I celebrate sir
We pray for healing and restoration, in Jesus’ name. Thank you so much for the word, sir
The message is a clear reflection of our present times.
Hence,
we need to understand the pathway to real truth for our sanctification, on that account,we can be distinguished Christians in the house hold of faith …
Just right, Sir.
Wake up call to every generation to be conscious of such evil if you will be relevant in God’s program on earth.
Great work sir.
Thank you for this insight. Let the Word of God stand and let every philosophies of man bow.
Thank you for this insight Sir. Let the Word of God stand and let every philosophies of man bow.
This massage is absolutely fantastic and timely. Right on Bishop, may the good Lord increase you in wisdom.
I couldn’t agree less sir. Lord we need your touch.
Anointing flows from the head. Leaders should be filled with the Holy Spirit to rnable them cooperate with Him in teaching and processing the Church. Implicated in the dross plaguing the Church is that she has abandoned or tethered her helper resulting in deformation or atrophy of her vital organs. This is worrisome amid the growing influence of traditions of men in place of the pattern set by the biblical data in the Acts of the Apostles. When a Church individual deliberately mock, marginalise, or tether the Holy Spirit, they have become god except in name. The highlighted malaise is only a few outcropping of very serious consequences. Sad but true, Church governance is a morror of what we see in the world particularly government: greed, ostentatious living and primitive accumulation of wealth, politicking, etc. But the Church conveniently humours herself that she’s holy. Really? Want to know the truth? She has become a nation of finger pointers that fails to remove the plank in her own eyes. Physician, heal yourself!
Doesn’t it bother us that we continue to blame the lame’s crooked walk on his legs instead of squarely locating it in his head? Our diagnosis or over diagnosis is anything but sincere. Enough of the shenanigans!
As a deliberate act of humility of heart, let the leaders repent and move forward. Then, God’s Kingdom will come and His will shall be done. That is to say, God will carry us in His arms if we lift our hands in surrender. We the laity, too will follow by God’s grace. May the Holy Spirit be given a free reign in His own Church. Amen.
More grace, Doc.
This is very expensive and the most infallible truth. Thank you very much sir for opening my eyes to see this indisputable fact of generational devil. It is my earnest prayers that God should give me the wisdom and power to conquer my generation. Kudos to you sir, may God Almighty promote you in His kingdom in Jesus name amen.
We need revival to return to old time religion.
Only God mercy and intervention can save.
Pastor thank you this write up. Be blessed.
This i concur with the line of thoughts carefully and accurately depicts the generation of the young people today. May God save our young once.
Powerful!!!
Thank you Sir
I have red it over and over again and hear is my comments, parents are first casualties, how be it a Young Lady dressed from home not from moon and nobody say my daughter come back, friends of God, is ecwa central elders not involved and speak of it, men are priest over their homes, we raised a cry and heaven is closed. hmm
Tauh, my Pastor. The issue at hand has become like a cancer in our society. Being parents in the present day society can be quite challenging because of the influence of the larger society. If only parents, who encourage the young ones in their care to dress inappropriately, will stop and consider the fact that these children will grow into adulthood and continue that way because its been okayed by the adults in their lives! To curb this “cancer” parents have to be seen playing their parts right, intentionally and deliberately. The Church must also be seen rising to the challenge. We must not allow or condone inappropriate dressing in the church, no matter who the person is. The children section of the church must also ensure parents dress their wards appropriately before sending them there. If this value is instilled in the young ones, we might be saved from being totally devoured by this “cancer”. We must continue to pray for God to intervene divinely in the lives of those who dress with the sole intention of advertising their wares. May God help us to fight and succeed in putting sanity into our young ones to appreciate dressing appropriately, in Jesus’s Mighty Name, Amen.
I pray God still finds remnants in us to stand for biblical truths in our generation.
Thank you for addressing the issue of dressing and immorality as it has caused alot of controversies in the style of living in our days. One opon a time ladies couldn’t wear trousers while I was growing up. Today it is even pandonable than some of the dressings we see and reasons why men fall and many temptations are more technical than they used to be, technology has help temptations too as one can get everything from the palm of your hand via the phone. God bless you sir. We need more of God’s grace to overcome as the systems of the world is abating and sin in its fullest form tenting it as a stabdard way of life.
Very catchy caption and insightful reading. Thee are fundamental issues our homes and churches need to address. May God give us th boldness to speak up and speak out. God bless you MOG
Relevant, factual and courageous. Needs to constantly emphasized across generations for effectiveness. Well done Rev Dickson
Thank you MOG for the points addressed. Awareness of these generational evils, obedience to God’s word and dependence on God’s grace, will help the family and Church to overcome the evils, then, the society will be touched and healed.
I have red it over and over again and hear is my comments, parents are first casualties, how be it a Young Lady dressed from home not from moon and nobody say my daughter come back, friends of God, is ecwa central elders not involved and speak of it, men are priest over their homes, we raised a cry and heaven is closed. hmm
This is the word for today, for the word is ever living.. More grace and wisdom sir.
Thank you my pastor for bringing these issues to the limelight.
Every Christian should be concerned about the way the devil has boldly taken over,confusing lives in the areas you have mentioned and much more.
It’s a wake up call for all that are waiting for His appearing,to take their action. We must recover all that the enemy has stolen.
We must go back to the old time religion. Like in the words of the song writer..’Give me that all time religion….its good enough for me.’May God grant us mercy and May we do the needful.
Thank you pastor. God bless.
Compelling, cogent and on point. It appears hell is let loose on the revealed truth. The remnant of Israel should stand firm.
Quite challenging and timely.
To cub with all evil trend of our time, I wish to summit that all hands (government, society, religion and family) must be on deck.
God bless you richly Boss.
We are learning sir.
Quite challenging and timely.
To cub with all evil trend of our time, I wish to summit that all hands (government, society, religion and family) must be on deck.
God bless you richly my Boss.
We are learning sir.
Well captured. More of God’s wisdom Sir.
Contemporary challenges that can only be cub by resolute adherence to biblical values in society. Thank you MOG for stimulating our minds on this issues.
“Now Upon a Time ” Needs discipleship. And religious leaders, parents and guardians needs to inculcate serious discipline on the “Now Upon a Time” if not the Next generation loss it completely.
Thank you sir.
Well written sir,
Right timing words.
I am inspired
True talk Sir, but some times even the followership are not helping matters because you see a situation where by people like going to places where they tell them what they want to hear not minding if it’s negates the core principle of the word of God
Indeed it is Timely &
Highly impactful for our today’s generation.
Lord Your mercy i need to better in the race.
“Now upon a time” spells out the realities that contemporary Christians and the Church have to contend with. I pray that individual believers and the church do their part in this issues raised. Thanks, OJ!