Pastor’s word or God’s Truth.

In a world where faith can be swayed by charismatic leaders, Joshua feels trapped between loyalty to his parents and growing doubt about their pastor’s teachings. Read on to see how his journey unfolds.

“You shall eat these palm leaves and flourish like the trees planted by the waters!” Pastor Peter’s voice thundered across the packed church auditorium, his arm raised high, holding up a bundle of palm leaves. His eyes swept over the congregation, who stared back in awe, nodding and murmuring in agreement.

Without hesitation, the crowd surged forward, many reaching out to grab the palm leaves. They believed with all their hearts that this strange act would bring them prosperity, blessings, and healing. Among them were Joshua’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eze, devout followers of Pastor Peter. They, too, believed every word he spoke.

But Joshua stood at the back of the church, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn’t move. His legs felt heavy as if rooted to the ground. Not again. First, it was eating grass for blessings, and now palm leaves? His stomach twisted as he watched his parents eagerly participate in the bizarre ritual.

He felt trapped, unsure of what to do. Growing up, his parents had raised him to respect Pastor Peter, to see him as a powerful man of God. But something deep inside Joshua was unsettled. Are these really what God wants?

Months later, before leaving for university, Joshua’s parents took him to Pastor Peter for a special prayer. It was their tradition. They believed that as long as Pastor Peter prayed over him, no harm would come his way. They arrived at the church office, greeted by the lavish décor — gold-trimmed furniture and photos of the pastor with various dignitaries. It felt like stepping into a palace.

Pastor Peter welcomed them with a warm smile, laying a heavy hand on Joshua’s shoulder as they all sat down.

“My son,” Pastor Peter began, his voice low and commanding, “you are about to enter the world of temptation and danger. University life is full of people and pastors who will try to deceive you, to lead you astray. Be very careful of listening to any other preachers. They will corrupt you.” He paused, his gaze piercing through Joshua. “Stay connected to this ministry. Follow our services online and trust the anointing I carry over your life.”

Joshua’s parents nodded approvingly, fully in agreement with Pastor Peter. “He’s right, Joshua,” his mother added, “don’t get involved with any strange fellowships. We know where the true power of God is.”

Joshua had nodded too, unsure of what else to say. Pastor Peter’s words hung over him like a heavy blanket. Could I really be deceived by other pastors? He tried to push the thought away, trusting that his parents knew best.

University life came with its share of challenges, but Joshua made it a point to stay connected to his home church. Every Sunday, he would log in to watch Pastor Peter’s online services, just as he had been instructed. But as the weeks passed, a strange feeling began to stir in Joshua’s heart. The sermons felt repetitive and focused on giving money, on receiving instant miracles, on obeying the most bizarre commands to receive blessings.

His spirit felt restless, but he couldn’t figure out why.

One day, his friend Daniel invited him to a student fellowship where Pastor David, a visiting preacher, would be ministering. At first, Joshua hesitated, remembering Pastor Peter’s warning. What if this man isn’t truly anointed? What if he leads me away from the truth?

But something in Daniel’s zeal stirred his curiosity, and eventually, Joshua agreed to attend, though a part of him felt guilty, like he was betraying his pastor and his parents.

That evening, Joshua sat in the crowded hall, arms crossed, his mind on edge. Pastor David began preaching, but Joshua’s guard was up. He was skeptical, waiting for something to confirm Pastor Peter’s warnings. But then, Pastor David said something that cut through Joshua’s defenses.

“You are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29)

Joshua sat up, his heart skipping a beat. Pastor David continued, “Many Christians rely on pastors to tell them what to believe, they are too lazy to study and know God for themselves but Jesus warned us without knowing the scriptures for yourself, you will be led astray. The Bible says, ‘My people perish for lack of knowledge.’ (Hosea 4:6). If you don’t know God’s Word, you’ll believe anything!!” He continued “God wants a personal relationship with you. What He revealed to your Pastor He can reveal to you as well, the Holy Spirit you have is no different from that of your Pastor. Also, any man of God that doesn’t encourage you to know God for yourself, please run for your dear life!!”.

Joshua’s mind raced. He thought of all the strange things Pastor Peter had told them over the years eating grass, planting miracle seeds of money, drinking oil for healing. He had never questioned it, had never opened the Bible to see if any of it made sense. But now, it felt like Pastor David’s words were a light piercing through the fog in his mind.

Could it be that we’ve been deceived all this time?

Back in his hostel that night, Joshua lay in bed, unable to sleep. Pastor David’s message played over and over in his mind. It felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his eyes, and for the first time, he saw clearly. We’ve been trusting Pastor Peter more than we’ve been trusting God’s Word.

The next morning, he called Daniel. “I need to talk,” Joshua said, his voice thick with emotion.

“What’s going on, man?” Daniel replied, sensing the seriousness in Joshua’s tone.

“I think Pastor Peter… I think he’s been leading us wrong,” Joshua said, his words hesitant but firm. “Everything he teaches it doesn’t match what’s in the Bible.”

Daniel paused, then sighed. “I knew you’d see it eventually,” he said gently. “The truth is, you’ve always known something was wrong, Joshua. You just didn’t want to admit it.”

Joshua leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling. “What do I do now? My parents… they won’t believe me. They think Pastor Peter is the only one who speaks for God.”

Daniel was quiet for a moment before answering. “You have to tell them the truth. They deserve to know. And you need to help them see God’s Word for themselves.”

Joshua nodded slowly. “You’re right. I can’t stay silent anymore. I will be going home this weekend.”

That Sunday, Joshua stood outside the church after the service, heart racing as he watched his parents walk toward him. They were smiling, oblivious to the storm brewing in Joshua’s mind.

“Mom, Dad,” he began, his voice trembling, “I need to talk to you about Pastor Peter.”

His father’s smile faltered. “What do you mean, son?”

Joshua took a deep breath, gathering the courage to speak. “I think we’ve been deceived. I’ve been reading the Bible, and a lot of what Pastor Peter teaches doesn’t match what God’s Word says.”

His mother gasped, and his father’s face darkened with disbelief. “Joshua, what are you saying?” his father asked, angrily.

“Dad, I went to a fellowship at school, and the preacher opened my eyes. Pastor Peter told us not to listen to other pastors, but I did, and I realized that many of the things we’ve been taught or told to do like eating grass, drinking oil, even the palm leaves none of it is in the Bible. We’re in error because we don’t know the scriptures.”

His father stood up, his face turning red. “You’ve been corrupted!” he shouted. “I knew this would happen if you listened to other pastors!”

“No, Dad,” Joshua pleaded, his voice breaking. “I’m not corrupted. I’ve been studying the Bible, and it’s clear to me now. We’ve been putting our faith in a man, not in God’s Word. Please, just read the Bible yourself not using Pastor Peter’s manuals. Let’s see what God really says. Let’s have a true relationship with God, He wants this. He is our Father too; He can speak to us as well.”

His mother’s eyes welled with tears. “Joshua… we’ve followed Pastor Peter for so long. How can you say this?”

“Mom, I’m saying it because I love you,” Joshua replied, tears streaming down his face. “I can’t stand by and watch us be deceived any longer, we have just been following blindly, after all these years I have never felt closer to God than I have in light of the truth I have received, Dad let’s be sincere aren’t you closer to Pastor Peter than God? God’s Word is clear His truth is in the Bible, not in these strange rituals. Please, let’s study it together.”

There was a long silence. The tension in the room was palpable, but for the first time, Joshua saw a glimmer of hope.

Over the next few months, Joshua and his parents began studying the Bible together, slowly coming to terms with the truth. His father, who had been the most resistant, eventually admitted that many of Pastor Peter’s teachings didn’t align with scripture. It was a painful realization, but also a liberating one.

As word spread, others in the church began to question Pastor Peter’s extreme practices as well. Slowly, the once mighty grip Pastor Peter had on them began to weaken.

Joshua and his parents found another Church where the Word of God was taught in truth, they now knew God for themselves and cross-checked everything they heard to make sure it was in alignment with God’s truth. After a year they could see true growth in all areas of their lives as they now had a personal relationship with God and followed his true principles.

God desires a personal relationship with you. It’s crucial to decide to know God intimately, or you risk being led astray by wolves in sheep’s clothing. Be mindful not to worship a man of God instead of God Himself. The Holy Spirit who teaches your Pastor is the same Spirit teaching you. You must choose to listen and allow Him to confirm or reject the words you hear. Don’t be a lazy Christian; study and pray!

Hosea 4:6a

My people perish for lack of knowledge.

Matthew 22:29

Jesus replied “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.

#WhispersFromEternity.