For the past several years, an alleged interview with the popular Lagos-based pastor, T.B. Joshua, has been circulating on the internet and in print. Here is an excerpt from the supposed interview:
“For instance, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), an umbrella association of Pentecostal Churches in the country, refused admitting The Synagogue into its fold…
“In a swift reaction to this, TB Joshua stated: ‘If the government wants to know who are the true men of God in Nigeria today, they should invite all the notable pastors, evangelists and general overseers to the Tafawa Balewa Square and give each man of God just 10 minutes to minister and pray for the people. Then with the miracles, signs and wonders that confirm the ministration of each man of God, government would know who are truly the genuine men of God, and those who are serving mammon.’ ”
Now, the first rule my journalism professor taught me was, never take all you hear or see without questioning. Examine all things in the light of the truth – for the truth will set you free.
With this though ringing in my ears, this journalist took it upon herself to find out the truth of this interview. I began to look for the background of this interview, which is never cited nor mentioned. I began to search for the journalist who conducted the interview, when the interview took place, where the interview took place, in which media the interview was recorded (video, newspaper or magazine print, audio recording).
After weeks upon weeks of digging, questioning, researching, here is what I have found:
There is no documented proof validating the legitimacy of this “interview”. The reporter, publication, etc of this story are no where to be traced.
But that is not all I uncovered. Upon reading through transcripts of actual, documented, verified interviews with Prophet T.B. Joshua in respectable and verifiable publications, watching recordings and live broadcasts of his sermons (which can be found on Emmanuel TV (on Intelsat 10, MITV, DSTV,
www.emmanuel.tv;
www.streamingfaith.com), TBN and CTV), I have reached the end conclusion:
The above “quoted statement”, attributed to Prophet T.B. Joshua, is false. It is a fabricated statement which was never spoken by Prophet T.B. Joshua. Yes, there we have it in black and white: The interview is a lie.
Let us listen to his actual words:
“The power of God is given not to be used at our own will but God’s will.
I am not the Healer. I know the Healer; His name is Jesus Christ.
He heals as He wills. He delivers as He wills. He speaks, preaches, teaches, acts as He wills.
We, children of God, must act under the guidance and government of the Holy Spirit.
God’s Word must be our rule while His grace must be our principle.
We must allow ourselves to be ruled by His Words and His grace to be our principle.
For God does nothing without His Word.
The name Jesus has power indeed but only among those who are committed to the glory of God.”
Let us remember the messages Prophet T.B. Joshua has preached regarding the 7 sons of sceva. They took it upon themselves to exercise the name of Jesus – but not as those who had veneration for Christ and a confidence in His name. They did it as those who wished to make a show, demonstrate power for the sake of boasting, fame, money. They tried to use the power of God at their own will – and the Bible says the evil spirits sent them out naked and bleeding (Acts 19:16).. The name of Jesus Christ is not used as an instrument to get results. It is not to be used at our own will for our own purposes – but at His will and for His glory. Let he who glories not glory in himself but in the Lord. There is no room for any man’s boasting of his own ability and power – for all power belongs to the Lord.
Someone on the internet has been posting a fabricated statement which was never spoken by Prophet T.B. Joshua, for the consumption of those who know no better. But let the “author” be ware. We are not all gullible. We will not all fall into the trap. We will not all take all we hear and see without questioning. It is satan who wants us to accept as truth that which has not been confirmed, that which has not been validated, that which has no true source. Jesus is the Source. In Him, the answers. In Him, the truth. In Him we live, we move, we write, we read, we investigate, we come to our conclusions.
Let all who are in Him stand against these lies of the adversary with the truth of the Gospel – for God requires that we do what is right.
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