“They Are Witch Doctors”: Akure Pastor Condemns Sale of Holy Oil, Water by Modern Pastors and Clergy

 

Pastor Adewale Giwa, senior leader of The Second Coming of Christ Ministry in Akure, Ondo State, has issued a scathing rebuke against fellow clergy members who commercialize spiritual items such as anointing oil and holy water, categorizing such individuals as no different from traditional herbalists.

Speaking before his congregation, Pastor Giwa questioned the scriptural legitimacy of selling items for miracles and breakthroughs. His remarks targeted the growing trend among some religious leaders who distribute oil, water, and other so-called ‘blessed’ materials in exchange for money, often promising divine results such as healing or financial success.

The controversial practice, Giwa argues, has no foundation in Christian doctrine. He asserted that neither Jesus Christ nor his apostles engaged in the sale of anointed materials during their ministries. "There is no verse in the Bible that records Jesus or his disciples selling anointing oil, water, or handkerchiefs for money," he emphasized, expressing concern over the misleading nature of such actions within the body of Christ.

With a firm tone, the Akure-based pastor drew a sharp line between authentic spiritual leadership and deceptive religious entrepreneurship. “What can the devil give that he won’t eventually take back?” Giwa asked rhetorically, warning that such commercial practices are not only deceptive but spiritually dangerous. He maintained that those who partake in the business of selling holy items are not acting in the spirit of God but rather replicating the methods of witch doctors.

He continued, “Any man of God who claims that your business will prosper or your problems will vanish after purchasing anointing oil or holy water is not a man of God. That person is operating as a witch doctor. These are not ministers of Christ; they are herbalists in disguise.”

According to him, the spiritual landscape is becoming increasingly polluted by materialism disguised as ministry. He suggested that many worshippers are being led astray by so-called prophets who exploit desperation for personal gain. By offering magical results in exchange for money, these individuals, he says, undermine the foundational Christian principles of faith, grace, and divine sovereignty.

Pastor Giwa did not stop at criticizing the sale of anointed items. He took his message further by challenging the superficial metrics by which religiosity is often judged. For him, long hours spent within church walls are meaningless without genuine transformation of character.

“Spending 24 hours in a church does not automatically qualify anyone as a true believer,” he said. “It is not the length of time you stay in God’s house, but what you say, how you behave, and what lives in your heart that defines your spiritual identity.”

He underscored that a believer’s life should reflect Christ’s nature — a life marked by compassion, humility, truth, and love. Character, not rituals or possessions, is what differentiates true followers of Christ from pretenders, he stressed.

“Your utterances, your choices, your reactions — these are what show whether you walk with Christ,” he told his congregation. “The fruits of the Spirit are not for sale; they are to be lived.”

The outspoken pastor’s comments arrive amid a broader conversation within Nigeria’s Christian community about the commercialization of religion. While some defend the use of anointed items as symbols of faith, others like Giwa see the trend as a corruption of sacred traditions — driven by greed and a misunderstanding of biblical teaching.

His message is sure to stir discussion, not just within his local church but across broader religious circles, especially as concerns rise over the growing influence of profit-driven ministries across the country.

By drawing a stark comparison between genuine spiritual leadership and exploitative practices cloaked in religion, Pastor Giwa aims to redirect believers toward a faith grounded in scripture, character, and authentic relationship with God — rather than material tokens and transactional spirituality.