Pastor Enoch Adeboye, RCCG GO
According to a report by Vanguard on Saturday, July 6, 2024, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has issued a stern warning to ministers of the gospel about the perils of sexual immorality, emphasizing that no level of anointing can shield them from its dangers.
Speaking at the recently concluded Ministers & Workers Conference of RCCG Americas 1, which includes North, Central, and Caribbean regions, Adeboye stressed the need for vigilance and caution in the face of temptation, irrespective of one's spiritual stature.
In his sermon, which was shared on his YouTube page, Pastor Adeboye, who has been preaching for over 45 years, drew upon the biblical story of Samson.
He highlighted that despite Samson's extraordinary anointing and strength, he succumbed to sexual immorality, ultimately leading to his downfall.
Adeboye's message was clear: no one is immune to temptation, and the belief that anointing alone can protect one from such pitfalls is a grave misconception.
"Somebody says, at your age, why are you still running? I run faster than before because the closer you get to the finishing point, the more careful you must be," Adeboye stated.
He acknowledged that his commitment to avoiding temptation has only grown stronger with age, as he recognizes the ever-present threat it poses to his ministry and personal integrity.
Addressing the ministers directly, Adeboye questioned the misplaced confidence some might have in their spiritual anointing.
"Some of you can say, ‘Daddy, what are you saying, are you still running?’ I run fast. ‘With all your anointing?’ Does anointing turn your body to stone?" he asked, emphasizing that spiritual gifts do not render one impervious to human weaknesses.
Adeboye's sermon included practical advice for both men and women in ministry.
He warned the male ministers about the dangers of flirtatious advances from women, emphasizing that such interactions could lead to devastating consequences.
"You see that woman smiling at you everywhere you go, she is there smiling, and she is not your wife, run," he advised.
Similarly, he cautioned women to be wary of men who use flattery and charm to lead them astray.
"He is calling you sunshine. By the time he finishes with you, you won’t even know the difference between sunshine and sunset," he remarked, urging vigilance and discernment.
The pastor also shared a sobering anecdote about a man whose ministry was destroyed by a past indiscretion that came to light after many years.
He used this story to illustrate that actions, no matter how hidden, can have far-reaching and catastrophic consequences.
"Anybody who tells you that whatever you do is hidden, it’s hidden until the wind begins to blow," Adeboye warned.
He reiterated the biblical counsel to "flee youthful lust," emphasizing that the directive to flee is not negotiable.
"The Bible says, flee youthful lust. It did not ask you to say grace would be sufficient. There is no grace for what God says you should run from. Maybe grace to run," he concluded, highlighting the importance of immediate and decisive action in the face of temptation.