ON SPIRITUAL CON ARTISTS: Keep In Tune With God or Get Conned In His Name

"Hi."

I waited for the stranger to say something more. To introduce himself, at least. Nothing. Thirty minutes passed. 

I typed back reluctantly. "Hi"

"Evening."

What sort of annoying time waster is this? I have only little patience for people with zero communication finesse. "You are?"

And only then did he give his name and purpose of reaching out - Got my number from Facebook. Wanted to follow up on religion. Was a sinner who wanted to change. 

Hol'up. I didn't leave my number on Facebook.

"You may be talking to the wrong person," I replied with hesitation, a part of me feeling guilty for attempting to turn away a soul probably sent to me by God. I didn't tell him I thought he was a scammer. I only told him I didn't leave my number on Facebook. 

"Really... Sorry. Instagram"

I laughed, now free from guilt. I hadn't left my number on Instagram either! This one wasn't interested in knowing God. He was a smartie who knew how sentimental the average black man gets at the mention of religion. 

He knew that the average Nigerian would suspend his brain and let down his guard, eager to win a soul for Christ, even though he himself was not in connection with the spirit of the Father. Soft target for religious conmen. 

I used to argue that there are certain acts that don't require us praying or waiting to "hear" from God before engaging in. I thought one could never go wrong doing these things. Such as giving to the needy, evangelizing, choosing to fast, and so on. 

However, I now know that at every step of the way, we must always be in tune with God. Real-time connection. Of what use is engaging in spiritual activities without the direction of the Holy Spirit? 

For instance, if your carnal mind prompts you to give alms to a beggar, but the spirit within you (which I assume is the Holy Spirit) hesitates, you'd better get going and don't look back. 

You can never be holier or more compassionate than God himself. He just might be trying to keep you from a suicide bomber in the guise of a beggar, or from a soon-to-materialize crime scene. Or from any other unfavourable possibility that your mind can not predict.

"No need for apologies," I said to Sinnerman, "I didn't leave my contact on Instagram either."

He knew he had been busted. Asked if he was disturbing me. I said yes. 

Said sorry. I said no problem, and let him go. 

It was my very first experience with a con artist, and I wish I could say right now that I preached to him that day, prayed with him and won his soul, despite that he was out to con me using God's name. 

But to be honest, it took all the self-control in me not to call him out and cuss him out. I'm not sure I had any virtue left in me to preach to him. Lol. 

Whoever and wherever he is right now, I pray God finds him. 

At the end of the day, my message is this: knowing the godly thing to do cannot replace having the spirit of God to direct us in doing them. Sometimes, God says "Stop," or "Wait," or sometimes even "No."

I am reminded of a story in the bible, 1 Kings 13 vs 6-24, of a young man of God whose respect for, and  obedience to an elderly prophet cost him his life because he ignored the express instruction of God. 

These days, a lot of believers lose their money; their homes; their peace; and sometimes even, their salvation to people who take advantage of their disposedness to charitable acts and hoodwink them in the name of the Lord. 

These, my friend, are hard times to be a christian without having the Holy Spirit as your full-time snitch.

How's your weekend going?

06.04.19