The blind leading the blind in pulpits in SVG breeds violence

Ministers of the Gospel, are we blind and deaf too? Or are we just taking an indefinite doze? Are we catnapping in our faith? Or are we basking in its reparative goodness and ignoring the serious societal issues that confront us?

Perhaps, rightly so, or else, the police, in their fight to intensify crime fighting measures, would have already called a national consultation with the heads of all churches, not just the puny ones on the Christian Council (who believe that some religious bodies are not worthy to be included), but all member churches in the state, social and public service clubs and organizations.

The Bible speaks of the blind leading the blind and the conclusion of the matter is that they both fall in the ditch. This is contrary to the plan of God for his people. He said to Jeremiah, (29:11 ESV) “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.” Spiritual blindness and its resultant effect are not our heritage; it is a ditch to harm us. This ditch is the precipitated violence that has permeated the very fabric of society. I encountered this violence. I know how it feels! No one is exempted from these dreadful acts, not even the little innocent children in our midst. The innocent children are snatched from their very homes and are violated.

Crime has grown insurmountably, making it impossible for the police force to cope with. The police are now calling on the churches to pray for the nation, churches they have not even attempted to visit… that’s the irony. Some of our church leaders and members are severely handicapped, due to spiritual blindness. Their teachings from the pulpits breed violence that threatens the very stuff that human civilization is made of. Many people depend solely on the handicapped ministers in the pulpits to tell them what God is saying and God has never spoken to these ministers (Jeremiah 29:9).

Violence is a spiritual matter. It involves the state of a man’s soul. Therefore, it is imperative when dealing with such matters that we have a first-hand, lifesaving, life-transforming and Holy Spirit encounter with God. Every policeman dealing with crime needs it; church leaders need it; everybody needs it. Without this, our faith is weak and our prayer is powerless. So, calling on us to pray for the nation to cease violence is a waste of time and effort. Churches need to rid themselves of the spiritually blinded demonic ministers, who are fleecing the flock of God of their dignity, their innocence, and of their hard-earned monies. Yes! Many ministers have failed God, for the slime of their immorality runs from the pulpit to the pews.

This situation of violence cannot be solved simply by kinetic efforts, because the very authorities are powerless to do so. The very guns that were removed from the streets are often handled and stored in ways that make it easy for greedy officers to pocket and eventually find their way back on the street in the hands of the senseless people. High-ranking, intelligent criminals are invisible and will not easily jeopardize their safety. These are the ones we need to root out and put behind bars. It is time to cast off our blindness, by fully committing our lives to God, so that we can assist in eradicating violence and other social ills.

Rev Dr Phyllis Ralph Browne (St Mary’s Spiritual Baptist Church, Fountain)