The incident left Pastor Adeboye financially strained, but grateful it wasn't worse.
In a recent revelation, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), shared a personal story of deception to warn Nigerians about the pitfalls of misplaced enthusiasm.
The clergyman recounted how his enthusiasm for the military led him to fall victim to a scam, illustrating the importance of heeding divine guidance.
Adeboye's tale began with a man who posed as a representative of a paramilitary group.
The fraudster approached Adeboye with an enticing offer to become their spiritual leader. Blinded by his passion for the military, Adeboye agreed to the role without the usual divine consultation.
Despite his usual practice of seeking God's guidance before embarking on new ventures, Adeboye admitted that his desire clouded his judgment.
The imposter requested financial support, which Adeboye provided, only to discover that he had been duped.
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"Years ago, I was duped by a man who promised to make me a commandant of a paramilitary group.
"This man had been contacting me through my secretary for a while, and one day I agreed to meet him. He claimed a Boy Scouts-like group had evolved into a new agency and needed spiritual leadership," Adeboye recounted.
Adeboye's message to believers
He reflected on the experience and shared, "I lost money in that experience, but it could have been much worse. God knew my heart's desire, and He had already planned for Redemption City to have its own corps of chaplains and a local police post. I thought I could bring my desire to pass on my own, but I was wrong."
Adeboye's message to his followers was clear: Trust in God's timing and avoid the temptation to rush ahead of divine plans.
"It's not wrong to desire wealth or success, but let it come in God's time. Don't try to run ahead of Him," he advised, emphasising that divine understanding surpasses human ambition.
His story reminds us to balance personal desires with spiritual discernment, ensuring that ambitions align with God's greater plan.