Whose volume is turned up in your life? (Why we shouldn’t pay attention to our pastors more than God)

This article I'm about to write is dedicated mostly to Christians, the church. It is a message that God gave to my wife and I as we communed over the scriptures this morning.  Please note that I am not one to stir up a bible debate or strife, all I do most times is to pen down what I believe God is teaching me for the edifying of His body, the Church, of which I happen to be a part of.
Someone might ask, what right do I have to say these things? What Church do I head? How long have I been a minister, that is, if I am even one?

Well, I think I need to clarify some of those questions before I proceed.
The first thing that qualifies me to speak on these spiritual matters is the fact that I am a Christian! (“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” Colossians 1:12). Here is the story of my conversion:

I got born again on Friday, August 8th 2003 at a Scripture Union camp meeting at uzuakoli during a night revival conducted by Bro Nnanna Ikoro, who’s now Reverend Nnanna Ikoro of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. The following day, I was baptized of the Holy-Spirit with the evidence of the fruits of the Spirit and speaking in tongues. Shortly afterwards, with the fire and zeal of God burning within myself and a few brethren, we went about the streets of Umuahia preaching the gospel and healing the sick in the name of Jesus. We went to hospitals, schools and social joints just to save the lost. In 2005, I became the Scripture Union president of my high school and God through me reached out and saved a lot of people, many of whom are still grateful and send me messages of the goodness of God till this day. In case you are inclined to see these my writings as boastful, remember 2 Corinthians 10:17 which says “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord”.

It is important to also note that my Christian journey hasn’t particularly been the smoothest of rides, of which I am sure that most Christians can attest to that too. However, thanks be to God who has been my ever present help in times of need (Psalm 46:1). His word always reassures me by saying even though I fall seven times, I will always rise! (Proverbs 24:16). I can’t say I have been the strongest or the bravest or the most righteous these 15 years of being born again, but one thing I know for sure is that He who has begun a good work in me back in 2003, He is faithful and just to complete it (Philippians 1:6), hence he’s still keeping me alive. I believe that being alive is God’s way of saying to everyone (both sinner/righteous) “I haven’t given up on you yet!”

Over the cause of these 15 years, I have held certain strategic positions in both the Churches as well as fellowships I’ve belonged to. Of which I wish to use this opportunity to thank every one of them for being a part of my life story and giving me an opportunity to serve God in those capacities, from: SU, PSF, IEM, Nifes, All saints chapel Absu, Eagles conference, New Wine Church, Hillsong Church, Christ Embassy, Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion etc. The list is endless! Thank you all for helping this soul remain in the faith! Also, I’d like to thank the individuals that God has equally used to instruct and uphold me in prayer. For personal reasons, I shall not be mentioning their names in this article, but they all know themselves. My God will continue to bless you all for your continuous perseverance over my soul. This article is also dedicated to you.

Please, to everyone else, as you read may you remain blessed and feel free to ask me questions in the comment section, let us share and sharpen ourselves (Proverbs 27:17).

One night Eli, who was almost blind by now, had gone to bed. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God. Suddenly the Lord called out, “Samuel!” “Yes?” Samuel replied. “What is it?” He got up and ran to Eli. “Here I am. Did you call me?” “I didn’t call you,” Eli replied. “Go back to bed.” So he did. (1 Samuel 3:2‭-‬5)
You can see here that when God was trying to speak to a young boy called Samuel, who as a matter of fact was not a prophet at that time and God was only used to speaking to prophets alone, Samuel hearing the voice of God thought it was Eli, why? This was because for 12 years of Samuels life, the volume of the voice of Eli had been turned to the highest, this made him unable to differentiate when God spoke and not Eli. We see this happening in most of our churches today when members so highly increase the voice of their minister/pastor over the voice of God upon their lives. Usually, when this happens, the voice of God grows dim. Just take a look at this example: Have you tried listening to your radio and TV at the same time, with both on the highest volumes? It's almost impossible to do that, you just have to tune down one to hear the other.
In Acts 17:11 - the Bible says a group of church members known as the Berean Christians were known for one thing, after listening go Paul's teachings, they go home and increase the volume of God's voice by studying His word to know exactly what He says on the subject matter. This was a highly commended and noble character which we all ought to emulate. Unfortunately, in most of our churches these days, members do not study for themselves, everyone relies and depends on what the preacher, pastor, daddy or father has spoken, but the question is, what has God said to you, no, not to the church, but to you? Has he told you anything lately that the pastor didn't say? Has the Holy Spirit taught you something new besides speaking in tongues? What of those your ungodly fruits and habits that no one knows not even your pastor or family members, except the Holy Spirit, have you allowed Him to deal with those habits and change you how He knows best? Remember when Jesus called His disciples, there’s this phrase He kept repeating to each one of them: “Follow ME and I will MAKE you…” (Matt 4:19, Mark 1:17). Jesus is still in the business of making people how He wants them to be. It is not our duty to say how we want to be made, He is the maker, He does the making, and we only follow. “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'The potter has no hands'?” and “Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?” (Isaiah 45:9, Romans 9:21).
Fellow Christians, let us all remember that we have to work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12), and what better way than by turning up the volume of the voice of the Master before the voice of man. Even apostle Peter confirmed this when he said “We MUST obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Always remember that no matter how anointed your pastor, preacher or minister is, he/she is steal nothing but a mere mortal (MAN), and whatever God says should at all times supersede whatever they say.
This brings me to the character of Prophet Eli in the text we read above. When Eli realized that God was in fact the one trying to speak to Samuel, what did he do? He did not try to play the role of God in Samuels’s life by saying he will hear from God and then convey the message to Samuel, No! Even though he could have easily done that by taking advantage of Samuels immaturity and lack of spirituality, an example of this can be found in the story of the young and the old prophet (read - 1 Kings 13:18). Instead, Eli gave young Samuel the passcode for receiving messages from God (1 Samuel 3:9). Pastors are meant to teach their flock the way to get to God rather than become the way themselves. We have only ONE way and that is Jesus Christ! He is the way, the truth and the life. This means, when we follow Him, He tells us the truth (His Word) and when we obey the truth (His Word) we gain Life. It is very important to note that no pastor, reverend, deacon, man of God, minister, father etc. can ever give you Eternal life, it can only be given by God through His son Jesus (John 3:36),
To turn up the volume of your church pastor or minister directly turns down and possibly mutes the volume of the voice of God upon your life. Remember, your pastor or spiritual leader in church speak in general, however it is only God who knows you inside out that can speak in specifics about the issues surrounding your life! Today, choose to be like the berean Christians (Acts 17:11), listen to God, then let your pastor or minister confirm what God has already spoken to you and not the other way round. Remain Blessed!
Selah!