06/01/2025
Elie Smith says "It is important to choose your battles wisely. Picking a fight with God or His servants is a battle no one can win. The Church is not the enemy; it is a partner in building a just and prosperous society. Let us respect
The Consequences of Challenging God and His Servants"
Read him;
"It seems there are those moving around with a matchbox in one hand and a bottle of kerosene in the other, determined to set fire to what binds us. This morning, I came across the front pages of certain marginal newspapers, and I was almost overcome with despair. However, I reminded myself that most of these individuals do not know the power of God. Attacking God or His servants is not just reckless; it is inviting a curse upon oneself and one’s descendants. History is filled with examples of those who, drunk on power, sought to elevate themselves to the status of God, only to face dire consequences.
Biblical Examples of Those Who Challenged God:
1. King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:28-37):
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, became arrogant and boasted about his power, saying, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built?" God humbled him by causing him to lose his sanity, and he lived like an animal for seven years until he acknowledged God's sovereignty. His punishment ended only when he recognised God's power.
2. Pharaoh of Egypt (Exodus 5-14):
Pharaoh repeatedly defied God's commands to let the Israelites go. As a result, Egypt suffered a series of devastating plagues, culminating in the death of Pharaoh’s firstborn son. His pride and resistance led to the destruction of his army when they pursued the Israelites into the Red Sea.
3. King Herod (Acts 12:21-23):
King Herod Agrippa I allowed the people to call him "a god" after he gave a public speech. Instead of giving glory to God, he accepted the praise. As a result, God struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
4. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Numbers 16:1-35):
These men led a rebellion against Moses' leadership, challenging God's appointed authority. As a result, the earth opened up and swallowed them and their families, and fire came down from heaven to consume their followers.
5. King Saul (1 Samuel 15:1-23):
Saul disobeyed God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions. Instead, he spared King Agag and the best of the livestock. For his disobedience, God rejected Saul as king, and his reign ended in tragedy.
These examples from the Bible serve as a powerful reminder of the danger of challenging God's authority. These individuals, in their pride, sought to place themselves above God's will, only to face severe consequences. Those who attack God or His servants are following a dangerous path, inviting judgment upon themselves.
These newspapers, paid to vilify, must repent or risk facing the wrath of God. In Cameroon, the Church has always stood as a pillar of support for the state. This does not mean, however, that religious leaders should trade their integrity to appease corrupt and violent politicians who benefit from the status quo alongside their small profiteering circles.
Religious leaders, especially within the Roman Catholic Church, are guided by the Church’s social doctrine, which obliges them to listen to and address the concerns of the lay faithful. When they speak out, it is not an act of rebellion but an attempt to help the government understand the struggles of ordinary Cameroonians.
The Church has demonstrated its commitment to the nation by participating in the Major National Dialogue and other political initiatives before, that were aimed at fostering peace and stability. However, when religious leaders raise concerns about issues like corruption, bad roads, the absence of genuine dialogue, or basic services like water and electricity—especially in places like Buea, where power supply is erratic—they are labelled as enemies or rebels.
It is important to choose your battles wisely. Picking a fight with God or His servants is a battle no one can win. The Church is not the enemy; it is a partner in building a just and prosperous society. Let us respect that role and work together for the common good."