Brethren… Apostle Paul Called

He’s Shook at Your Phone Addiction. 

BRETHREN, COME CLOSE. THIS IS A FAMILY MEETING.

This is not one of those sweet Christian notes that ends with “remain blessed” and a smiling emoji.

No. This is a family meeting.

So if you know another brethren, forward it to them. If you don’t know any brethren, go and evangelize quickly and find one. Because we need to talk.

And as I write this, I sincerely hope I sound like Apostle Paul, because that man did not pamper nonsense. Paul didn’t do “let’s just manage it.”  Paul didn’t do “everybody has their own way.”

Paul’s letters were basically spiritual slap… with grace.

And brethren, there are some normalized nonsense we engage in as believers. Plenty.

But today, I want to talk about the one that has me pressed.

DEAR CHRISTIANS, WHY IS IT HARD TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS? 

I’m genuinely asking.

Like… if you obey instructions, will your anointing leak?

If you follow simple rules, will your breath cease?

Because why is it hard?

Why is it difficult for some believers to hear a simple instruction and comply like a normal human being?

Let’s use an example that has been disturbing my spirit.

Imagine this:

You are in a gathering of believers. Everybody came to worship. The atmosphere is already sweet. People are ready. Some are already crying. Some are already speaking in tongues.

Then the minister says something very clear:

“Please, during this session, do not record. Keep your phones away. Fix your gaze on Jesus.”

Very simple instruction.

Not “fast for 40 days.”

Not “carry your cross and climb mountain.”

Not “go and raise the dead.”

Just… don’t record. Simple!

But what happens?

Brethren… what happens?

The same brethren that shout “fire!”

The same brethren that sing “Holy Spirit, take control!”

The same brethren that claim “I’m led!”

Suddenly bring out their phones like it’s communion. Some even turn on flash.

FLASH… In worship.

Like the Holy Ghost is a celebrity that needs spotlight.

One person is even holding the phone up like they are capturing evidence for court.

And I’m looking like… Ah ah.

Is this worship or Big Brother Naija audition? Because how are we praying and recording at the same time? Is your spirit man not tired?

That’s why I never volunteer for the ushering or protocol team, whether in church or any Christian gathering. My patience wears thin quickly on some things. I’d have wiped you cord on your neck before even remembering where we are.

And no, I don’t want to hear:

“But I just wanted to capture the moment.” 

Which moment? The moment you were told not to?

Because let’s be honest… some of us don’t record for memories. We record for posting.

We want to upload:

“Atmosphere was heavy 🔥🔥🔥” 

And then we add:

🎶 There is fire in this place 🎶

But your fire is on your camera roll. Your focus is on exposure settings. Your worship is on “portrait mode.”

And you will still say you were “so blessed.” Brethren… are you sure?

Because your phone was the one that received the blessing.

Let’s go to Scripture a bit.

The Bible says:

“To obey is better than sacrifice…”

— 1 Samuel 15:22

This is not a suggestion, nor is it advice. This is God’s standard.

Because you can sing, dance, shout, kneel, cry, and roll on the floor… But if you cannot obey, something is wrong.

Jesus said it plainly:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

— John 14:15

Not “If you love me, post me.”

Not “If you love me, record me.”

Not “If you love me, make TikTok content out of me.”

Keep my commandments.

Meaning love and obedience are connected.

So if you say you love God but you cannot obey instruction, we need to check what kind of love that is.

Because some love is emotional, but kingdom love is obedient.

Let me try and sound like Paul now…

Because honestly, I can already imagine Apostle Paul writing to us believers today. And the truth is, some of us deserve a Paul-style letter.

So allow me.

A LETTER FROM PAUL TO THE CHURCH IN NIGERIA (PARAPHRASE EDITION) 

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle (not by vibes, not by social media validation, but by the will of God), to the saints in Nigeria: grace be unto you and peace… because you people need it. 

I thank my God always concerning you, because you have zeal, you have tongues, and you have night vigil. 

But I marvel greatly. 

I MARVEL. 

That when an instruction is given in a gathering, some of you behave as though obedience is for unbelievers. 

Brethren, when you were told to keep your phones away, why did you bring them out? 

Is the phone your God? 

Or is your hand possessed? 

Because I have heard of demonic oppression, but I did not know there was such thing as recording oppression. 

Did Christ die so you may capture angles? 

Did He shed His blood so you may upload worship clips and type “God is here” while your spirit is absent? 

Brethren, I would not have you ignorant: 

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient.”

— 1 Corinthians 6:12 

So yes, you may have the right to hold your phone, but wisdom says you should not. 

“For God is not the author of confusion.”

— 1 Corinthians 14:33 

“And let all things be done decently and in order.”

— 1 Corinthians 14:40 

If you cannot obey simple instruction from men, how shall you obey instruction from the Spirit? 

Brethren, I write these things not to shame you, but to warn you. 

But I am not smiling. 

Brethren… tell me Paul wouldn’t end us with words.

Now here’s where it gets deeper.

Because disobedience doesn’t start with rebellion, it starts small.

It starts like:

“It’s not that serious.”

“It’s just a phone.”

“I’m just recording small.”

“I’ll delete later.”

But the Bible does not support that mindset.

Scripture says:

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…”

— Luke 16:10

Meaning if you cannot obey in small matters, you will struggle in bigger matters. And small disobedience has consequences.

Let’s break it down.

1. Small disobedience hardens your heart 

When you disobey repeatedly, you become less sensitive.

The first time, you feel conviction.

The second time, you justify.

The third time, you normalize it.

Soon, your spirit starts calling correction “too much.”

That’s how people become stubborn. Not overnight, gradually.

2. Small disobedience births pride 

Disobedience often comes from the mindset of:

“This instruction is for others, not me.”

And that is pride. The same pride that made Lucifer think he could rearrange heaven.

So before you laugh, understand: pride is not a joke.

3. Small disobedience destroys reverence

One of the biggest issues with phone recording is that it kills reverence.

You cannot be adjusting camera angle and still be in awe of God. It reduces sacred moments into entertainment.

You stop treating worship like worship and you start treating it like content creation.

4. Small disobedience makes you miss encounters 

Brethren, let’s be honest, some of you missed the exact word you needed because you were busy checking if the video was clear.

Some of you missed healing because you were busy recording other people crying.

Some of you missed an encounter because you were busy capturing “atmosphere.”

James says:

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

— James 1:22

Brethren, we are not called to be recorders. In fact, we even have designated units in church services for that these days.

We are called to be doers.

5. Small disobedience can grow into rebellion 

The scary part? Disobedience can grow into rebellion and rebellion is not just “stubbornness.”

The Bible says:

“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…”

— 1 Samuel 15:23

Are you a witch or practicing to be one? That scripture is not smiling.

It means rebellion is spiritually dangerous.

So when you ignore instructions consistently, you are training your heart to dishonour authority.

And a dishonourable believer is a vulnerable believer.

Let’s talk about phone addiction. Some of us are not just disobedient — we are addicted. We cannot sit for 30 minutes without touching our phones.

We cannot worship without documenting it, we cannot enjoy a holy moment without posting it.

And I’m not judging you.

But brethren, addiction is real and it is stealing your spiritual focus. Because if you cannot put away your phone for worship, how will you put away sin in secret?

Let’s be serious, and let me say it plainly:

Some moments are not meant to be recorded, some moments are meant to be received.

Because you can record a powerful worship session and still leave empty.

But you can leave without a video and still leave with a word that will carry you for years.

Brethren, your phone can store videos but only your spirit can store revelation.

And revelation is what sustains you when life is lifing.

Now let’s address the matter of witness because people are watching.

The unbelievers are watching.

The younger believers are watching.

That brother that is still doubting Christianity is watching.

And you, a child of God, cannot follow simple instructions? What kind of testimony is that?

The Bible says:

“Let your light so shine before men…”

— Matthew 5:16

Not your phone screen.

Your light.

Your discipline.

Your obedience.

Your reverence.

Your character.

And Scripture also says:

“In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works…”

— Titus 2:7

We are meant to be patterns.

Not distractions.

Not chaos.

Not the reason ushers are running up and down like they are in NYSC camp.

BRETHREN, EVEN IF PEOPLE ARE NOT WATCHING… GOD DESERVES OUR BEST

If nobody is watching you… God is. And God deserves excellence. Not half-heartedness, not unseriousness, not unsermon-like behaviour.

The Bible says:

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…”

— Colossians 3:23

So if you obey instructions in church, you are not just obeying man, you are honouring God.

Because reverence is worship too.

Obedience is worship too.

Self-control is worship too.

Now I want to charge you like a proper preacher. Because this is where we stop laughing and start repenting.

If you are guilty, don’t argue, just nod. God sees you.

Now, here are the charges:

1. Practice self-control 

If you cannot control your phone, you will struggle to control your flesh.

And self-control is not a personality trait, It is fruit of the Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is… temperance (self-control).”

— Galatians 5:22-23

So stop excusing lack of discipline as “that’s just me.”

No. That’s just immaturity.

2. Honour instruction like it came from God 

Sometimes instructions are not about control, they are about focus.

They are about protecting the atmosphere.

They are about helping you receive.

So when you’re told “don’t record,” don’t negotiate, don’t pretend you didn’t hear. Don’t hide your phone inside Bible like contraband.

Obey.

3. Stop turning sacred moments into content 

Brethren, not everything is for posting, some encounters are private.

Some moments are meant to remain between you and God. Not you and Instagram.

Because you can be popular online and be empty inside.

4. Understand that small disobedience is spiritual training 

Every time you obey small instructions, you are training your spirit to obey God in bigger matters.

And every time you disobey small instructions, you are training your spirit to resist correction.

Choose wisely.

Because it starts with phone recording today.

Tomorrow, it becomes something else.

5. Remember: obedience is proof of maturity 

The Bible says:

“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.”

— Proverbs 13:13

Obedience carries reward, disobedience carries loss.

Brethren, I am not saying “don’t ever take pictures.”

I am not saying “don’t share testimonies.”

But when an instruction is given—especially in a worship gathering—obey it. Because you are not a baby.

You are not an unbeliever.

You are not ignorant.

You are a representative of Christ.

And if we cannot obey simple instructions in church…

How will we obey God in our private lives?

How will we obey the Holy Spirit when He tells us to forgive?

To stop that relationship?

To drop that habit?

To apologize?

To stay quiet?

To pray?

Brethren… let us not deceive ourselves.

My WhatsApp folks might be shocked that I used the word “brethren” today, because it’s usually a thing on my Sunday status.

But today, I mean it with full chest.

BRETHREN!!!!! LET US DO BETTER. 

Because whether people are watching or not… We should always be at our best behaviour.

For God.

For the gospel.

For our witness.

For our growth.

And for the simple fact that… we are not children.

Amen.

Now go and repent.

And stop recording when they say stop. Let us not come back to this… please.

Ok bye.