Happy New Year to you all, as I welcome you to the first edition of Singles’ World for the year 2026. It is my prayer that 2026 will indeed be a New and prosperous year for us in the name of Jesus Christ

In the previous editions, I discussed how people practice physical and emotional adultery in gross violation of the Word of God. I showed us very clearly that the Lord strongly condemns adultery and its various shades of practices.

In this edition, I want to discuss another form of adultery. My prayer is that the Lord will use this message to liberate and deliver those already ensnared in adultery and also keep the innocent from being victims, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Adultery goes beyond the physical act.

3. Digital Infidelity

The advent of information technologies and the proliferation of social medium have led to the prevalence of digital infidelity in society. Both the young and the old, Christians and unbelievers, deploy these technologies, albeit wrongly, both for personal and business purposes. Digital infidelity is common among the married and the unmarried. It occurs through private chats and sexting between a married man and another man’s wife. Both of them exchange honeyed and seductive chats that are considered inappropriate and immoral, such as “I am lonely, I am missing you, I can’t control how I feel right now, and I will not let you go. If I had seen you, I would not have married my present wife. Your thoughts make me go crazy, etc.”

Regular exchange of these seductive chats between a married man and another man’s wife through social media amounts to digital infidelity. This is because both of you have expressed your lustful thoughts in unmistakable terms for each other even though both of you have your legal partners. Besides, sexting also involves the acts of sending or receiving sexually suggestive photos or videos through phones or social media. It is common today to see a married man asking another man’s wife to send her nude or semi-nude images and sexual voice notes or emojis used with sexual intent. Married wives that are interested send them with relish to the married that they like. The point they are making is that even though we are miles apart, we can watch our nakedness online to spice our ‘love.’ Even when it is practiced between a man and his wife, it is considered an uncleanness; when a married woman sends her nude photo to another man, she is committing adultery with him digitally.

From the biblical perspective, it is only your spouse that is legally and biblically allowed to see your nakedness. In Genesis 2:25, the Bible says both Adam and Eve were naked as husband and wife, and they were not ashamed. It is therefore right, by inference, to say that it is shameful for a married man and another married woman to be naked before each other or to see each other’s nakedness when they are not married to each other. Sexual expression through any medium is expected to be shared only with one’s partner. This is because sexting involves sexual desire and attention even if there is no physical contact. If you practise this with another man’s wife or another woman’s husband, you have committed digital infidelity because sexual exclusivity has been broken.

Besides, sexting is often kept secret. It can be hidden from the partner, especially for those that have inquisitive spouses. Some also quickly delete such sexting and nude photos. This is because it violates the Word of God and the trust between the couple. When you are involved in sexting, you are creating room for emotional attachment to the person. It will deepen your emotional bonds while you are disconnecting yourself emotionally from your legal spouse.

You cannot be exposed to sexting and the nude photos of another man’s wife or another woman’s husband without experiencing sexual arousal and romantic connection with the person when this is what you should be experiencing with your legal partner. You have crossed the boundaries set by the Lord between your husband and your wife. Remember that part of the common marriage oath says that you will forsake others and cleave unto your partner till death do you part. Sexting and uploading your nude or semi-nude photos for another married man or woman to see violates your marriage oath. Even when done between two married people, it is morally questionable. A long-distance relationship is not an excuse for getting involved in sexting. What if your children see it or it leaks onto social media accidentally?

From the Bible perspective, sexting amounts to dishonoring your marriage and making your bed impure—Hebrews 13:4. Jesus expanded adultery beyond the physical by saying a lustful look at a woman amounts to adultery—Matthew 5:28.  In Ephesians 5:3-4, we are warned against sexual immorality and uncleanness (obscenity). Uncleanness or obscenity involves obscene speech, obscene images, sexual imagination, and arousal outside God’s boundaries. What is considered sinful by the Bible cannot be made holy by the digital platforms. Those who engage in sexting, explicit photos, and pornography are practicing digital infidelity. If it is between a married man and the wife of another man, they are practicing digital adultery. God will judge all those that commit adultery—Hebrews 13:4.  If you are involved, repent now before it is too late. If you are single and you are involved in sexting, you are practicing sexual immorality and obscenity. You have opened the gate of your life to sexual bondage. Repent now, and the Lord will have mercy on you.

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

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Merry Christmas to you all, as I welcome you to the final edition of Singles’ World for the year 2025.

In the previous edition, I discussed infidelity in Christian marriage as one of the major causes of marital disharmony in the world today, including within Christian homes. We examined its prevalence and the clear position of the Bible on the subject. We also considered physical adultery as one of the forms of adultery practised in violation of God’s Word. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, I demonstrated that the Lord strongly condemns adultery and that there is no justification before God for committing it.

In this edition, I want to discuss another form of adultery. My prayer is that the Lord will use this message to deliver those already entangled in adultery and also preserve the innocent from falling into it under any guise, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Types of Adultery

Many people today congratulate themselves for supposedly withstanding infidelity. They confidently beat their chests and claim they are not involved in adultery simply because they are not physically engaged in sexual intercourse with anyone other than their spouses. However, such people may still be deeply involved in other forms of adultery beyond the physical.

Adultery does not manifest only in physical acts.

2. Emotional Affairs

This occurs when a person gives affection, attention, admiration, and emotional connection—which should primarily belong to their spouse—to someone else.

Many Christian men and women in marriage sometimes show more love and attention to someone outside their home than to their spouse. They may lavish the outsider with thoughtful gifts on birthdays, festivals, and special occasions, yet claim there is no money for their spouse. They freely praise the beauty, intelligence, achievements, and style of the outsider while rarely affirming their spouse.

They remember the outsider’s birthday with meaningful gifts but forget or give little on their spouse’s special day. Their attention is fully focused on the outsider, yet they interrupt, belittle, or dismiss their spouse, even when the spouse is right. They listen carefully to trivial matters shared by the outsider while ignoring important concerns from their spouse.

They tolerate and even enjoy the nagging of the outsider but view their spouse’s complaints as bothersome. Even during crucial family discussions, their spouse no longer has their undivided attention, while the outsider enjoys unrestricted access to their heart and mind.

When speaking with their spouse, their thoughts are elsewhere. They may be eager to leave home just to meet the other person, anticipating these encounters with excitement, yet feel little or no joy with their spouse. They are quick to hug, kiss, or show affection to the outsider, while rarely expressing the same warmth toward their spouse. Over time, they become emotionally bonded to the outsider, forming a deeper connection than they have with their spouse.

The spouse’s food suddenly becomes unattractive, while the outsider’s food seems delicious—not because the spouse cannot cook well, but because emotional affection has shifted. When a husband sincerely apologizes at home, it brings little satisfaction, yet when the outsider offers no apology at all, it is easily overlooked.

Such individuals hardly stay at home where their spouse and children can enjoy their presence. Even when they are home, they are in a hurry to leave because they enjoy the company of the other person more. Their hearts are gradually drifting from their spouse to another person—and they are enjoying it.

Even if there is no physical sexual relationship, this is still adultery.

Biblical Perspective

First, the heart is no longer guarded “with all diligence,” as commanded in Proverbs 4:23. Once the heart strays, sin soon follows. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” This clearly shows that adultery can be physical, and it can also be emotional.

Ephesians 5:25 commands, “Husbands, love your wives.” When a man gives the love meant for his wife to another woman, he commits adultery in his heart. Likewise, Titus 2:4 admonishes wives to love their husbands. When a woman gives the love meant for her husband to another man, she too commits adultery in her heart.

Conclusion

Both physical adultery and emotional adultery carry equal weight before God. God’s design is for the husband and wife to become one flesh (Ephesians 5:31). When either partner becomes emotionally attached to another person of the opposite sex, the reality of this one-flesh union is destroyed.

Ask yourself honestly:

• Is your heart truly with your spouse, or is it with someone else?

• Are you physically at home but emotionally invested elsewhere?

• Is there a growing pull away from your spouse toward another man or woman?

• Has someone else taken your spouse’s place in your heart, occupying your thoughts—even without sexual involvement?

If so, adultery has already begun. Such a person needs to repent, confess, and seek restoration. The Lord is merciful—He forgives, heals and restores homes.

If you are single, let this teaching guide you. Flee from adultery. It destroys lives and ruins homes.

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

The post Singles’ World December ’25 Edition appeared first on The Olive Branch.

I warmly welcome you to the November 2025 edition of Singles’ World. In the last edition, we examined Omugwo as a cultural and traditional practice which, sadly, has become a source of conflict in many homes today. I sincerely hope that the series was impactful. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you when you arrive at that stage in your marriage.

In this edition, I want to discuss infidelity in Christian marriage. My prayer is that the Lord will use this message to guide our families and restore those who have already become victims of infidelity, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Introduction

Infidelity is one of the leading causes of divorce and marital breakdown in society today, including Christian homes. Many believers assume—though wrongly—that marriage is a cure for adultery because 1 Corinthians 7:2 says, “Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”
However, marriage in itself does not automatically end adultery; at best, it regulates and disciplines our sexual lives. Sadly, in these end times, the enemy is relentlessly attacking marriages. Many homes have been destroyed by sexual immorality. Adultery thrives today not because the Word of God lacks the power to deliver but because many people ignore the foundational principles of godly relationships.

Jesus Himself acknowledged that marriage does not eliminate the possibility of infidelity. Being married does not insulate anyone from temptation. Even when you are not seeking immorality, some people may be seeking you. That is why Jesus made sexual immorality the sole legitimate ground for divorce. In Matthew 19:9, He declared: “And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery…”

Hebrews 13:4 further warns, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”
This shows that even within marriage, the marriage bed can be defiled. Therefore, marriage is not automatically a safeguard against adultery; rather, it places upon us a divine obligation to keep the bed undefiled.

From the Old Testament to the New Testament, God’s stance against adultery has remained consistent. In Exodus 20:14, Scripture commands, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Proverbs 6:32 adds: “Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding…” And in Galatians 5:19, adultery is listed among the works of the flesh. The message is clear: God forbids adultery at all times.

The Prevalence of Infidelity in Society

The rate at which infidelity is spreading today is alarming. It cuts across all social groups—the poor and the rich, the educated and the uneducated, and the religious and the unreligious. Born-again Christians fall into it, as do unbelievers. Ministers of God, who ought to be gatekeepers and watchmen over the flock, are not exempt. Leaders and followers alike are involved. Some married academics engage in sexual immorality with students or colleagues. Public office holders, law enforcement agents, politicians, and many others do the same. Unfortunately, adultery has almost become normalized.

The rise in DNA testing has also exposed paternity fraud cases. Many men have discovered—often too late—that the children they have loved, raised, and sponsored for years were not biologically theirs. Some have died from the shock and trauma of such revelations. Likewise, some husbands openly or secretly engage in adultery. The truth is that both sexes are deeply involved.

Infidelity remains one of the most destructive threats to Christian marriage today. Though modern society and some indigenous cultures may tolerate permissiveness, casual sex, polygamy, and infidelity, these acts destroy Christian testimony and bring reproach to the name of the Lord. Romans 2:24 warns that it is because of such sins that “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles.”

Marriage is a covenant. When you break that covenant through illicit sexual relationships, you commit infidelity. The consequences are devastating, and infidelity is a grievous sin before the Lord.

Types of Adultery

Infidelity is more than physical sexual intercourse with someone other than one’s spouse. It manifests in several forms, including the following:

1. Physical Adultery

This refers to direct sexual involvement with someone other than one’s spouse (Exodus 20:14). When a married person engages in sexual relations outside marriage, adultery has been committed. Jesus further stressed that anyone who divorces a spouse for reasons other than immorality and marries commits adultery, and whoever marries the divorced person also commits adultery (Matthew 19:9).

This form of infidelity is rampant today. As Christians, we must cultivate self-control and remain content with the spouse God has given us.

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

The post Singles’ World November ’25 Edition appeared first on The Olive Branch.

I warmly welcome you to the October 2025 edition of Singles’ World. In the last edition, we examined Omugwo—a cultural and traditional practice that has, sadly, become a source of conflict in many homes. I discussed the major controversies surrounding the difficulty many couples face in deciding which of the two mothers-in-law should perform this practice.

In this edition, I wish to suggest possible interventions and practical ways to resolve such controversies. My prayer is that the Lord will use this piece to restore peace, harmony, and joy to your home in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Resolving the Controversy

As noble as this cultural practice is, if not properly managed, it can degenerate into a prolonged family feud and even breed deep-seated animosity. Therefore, it is essential for couples to discuss and agree on a plan that works best for both families.

1. Seek God’s Guidance Through Prayer

Since we are dealing with Christian homes, the first step is for the couple to pray together about it. They should jointly seek the face of God on who should come for Omugwo between the two mothers-in-law. The Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Guide, will reveal the right path.

Without the Holy Spirit, it becomes almost impossible to navigate the storms and rivers of life. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit may even instruct the couple not to invite either of the mothers-in-law. Whatever the divine direction, the couple must be sincere and united in knowing and obeying God’s will—without prejudice or deceit—especially when God’s choice may not please either or both parties.

The ability to discern the will of God depends on the couple’s spiritual maturity. When carnality and the flesh dominate, it becomes difficult to follow divine guidance. If either of the partners is not born again, it poses an even greater challenge, as the power and necessity of prayer may not be appreciated. Remember, a praying family is a winning family.

2. Alternate the Visits

Another option is to alternate Omugwo visits between the two mothers-in-law. This can serve as a fair middle ground for both families. However, the couple must ensure that they maintain a peaceful relationship with both mothers. If they strongly prefer one mother-in-law over the other, this arrangement may not work, as envy and resentment can easily arise.

For instance, how do you convince a husband’s mother to stay away when the wife’s mother comes repeatedly, or vice versa? Yet, if the couple’s relationship with both mothers is cordial and free from tension, alternating visits remains a practical and peaceful solution.

3. Communicate Openly and Honestly

The couple must engage in open communication—freely expressing their feelings, expectations, and genuine concerns. Such honest dialogue, conducted in love and without bias, will guide them to the right decision.

If it is known that one of the mothers-in-law is demonically possessed or spiritually or emotionally unstable, this must be discussed openly between the couple. Under no circumstance should one partner betray the other by revealing to the in-law the reason for her exclusion. The matter should remain confidential between the husband and wife. With godly wisdom, the couple should jointly prevent any troublesome or spiritually dangerous in-law from coming to perform Omugwo.

4. Seek Godly Counsel

 Finally, the couple may seek the guidance of a mature, Spirit-filled pastor or counsellor who is experienced in handling sensitive marital issues.

Conclusion

Flexibility, understanding, spirituality, and open communication are key factors in resolving Omugwo-related conflicts. May the blessings of God in your home never become a source of conflict, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

The post Singles’ World October ’25 appeared first on The Olive Branch.

I am delighted to welcome you to the August 2025 edition of Singles’ World. In the previous edition, I turned our attention to the practice of Omugwo; a very beautiful cultural and traditional institution which, sadly, has become a source of conflict in many families. I discussed the meaning of Omugwo and its many benefits, as well as one of the major controversies surrounding it: who should perform the Omugwo; the wife’s mother or the husband’s mother?

It is important to reflect on this tradition and the disputes that often arise around it, so that what is intended to be a blessing to families does not turn into a source of pain or tragedy. My concern here is for Christian families in particular, so that we do not give room for the devil to sow discord and destroy our homes.

The Controversy

One of the most troubling situations occurs when the husband’s mother had strongly opposed his marriage to his wife right from the beginning. Her opposition may have been vocal and obvious, yet the son insisted on marrying the woman he loved. Now, when the marriage produces a child, the same mother insists on performing the Omugwo. While the son does not object, his wife does, and with good reason. How can she comfortably welcome a mother-in-law who once rejected her and fought against her marriage? Unless there is evidence of genuine repentance and reconciliation, such an involvement may be motivated by bitterness or hidden resentment, and this creates the potential for strife.

On the other hand, if the son decides to oppose his mother’s wish and stops her from coming, the mother may quickly assume that her daughter-in-law influenced the decision. She may then direct her hostility towards the wife. If the son boldly owns up to being the one behind the decision, both he and his wife may face open hostility and possibly even prolonged battles with the mother-in-law. Where the mother’s attitude is vindictive or malevolent, the situation could escalate into spiritual warfare.

If, in an attempt to avoid such conflicts, the couple chooses to invite the wife’s mother instead, the husband’s mother may interpret it as a deliberate attempt to rob her of her rights and privileges. She may then turn against both the wife and her mother, concluding that her daughter-in-law has conspired to deny her the honour she believes she deserves. In African societies, the mother-in-law phenomenon has grown so intense that it often takes on cult-like dimensions, leaving couples in fear of backlash and deep-seated conflicts.

Another scenario arises when a husband simply dislikes his wife’s mother for no clear reason, and insists that only his own mother must perform the Omugwo. In this case, the husband’s mother enjoys all the benefits of the tradition, while the wife’s mother is permanently sidelined. This can cause deep pain and bitterness for the wife, especially when her mother has made huge sacrifices for her.

The problem becomes even more serious where the wife happens to be the breadwinner or where she, along with her mother, had financially supported the husband, perhaps even sponsoring his journey abroad. In such situations, it is only natural for the wife to feel deeply offended when her mother is disregarded. She may begin to feel oppressed, marginalized, and silenced by her husband’s patriarchal insistence on favouring only his own mother.

This tension often spills over into the relationship between the wife and her mother-in-law. The wife may become reluctant to release money for her upkeep or unwilling to allow her full access to the baby. She may engage in subtle resistance, withholding affection or cooperation as her own way of protesting the injustice against her mother. The longer the mother-in-law stays, the more strained and toxic the atmosphere becomes.

If the mother-in-law eventually returns home, she may tell stories about her unpleasant experience in her son’s household. And more often than not, her story will be exaggerated and retold in a way that paints her daughter-in-law as wicked, disrespectful, and unfit to live with her son. Such narratives quickly spread in family and community circles, drawing sympathy for the mother-in-law and hostility against the wife. Some may even begin to pressure the son to divorce his wife, thereby deepening the rift.

This type of situation may discourage the couple from visiting their home country for a long time, knowing that the mother-in-law and her allies will be waiting to fight back. The atmosphere becomes precarious and unstable. If the family is not prayerful, careful and spiritually discerning, the marriage could suffer devastating consequences from emotional breakdowns to relentless spiritual attacks.

Conclusion

The Omugwo tradition is a wonderful and helpful cultural practice that, when properly managed, strengthens family ties and provides crucial support for new mothers. But when handled without wisdom, it can quickly turn into a weapon of division and destruction in the hands of the enemy.

As Christian families, we must approach Omugwo not merely with human wisdom, which is often earthly and short-sighted, but with the wisdom of God that is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy. Only divine wisdom can enable couples to navigate these complex family dynamics with grace, patience and love.

May the Lord keep your home, grant you peace, and give you the divine wisdom to manage the Omugwo practice in a way that honours Him and preserves the unity of your marriage, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

The post Singles’ World August ’25 appeared first on The Olive Branch.

Welcome to the July 2025 edition of Singles’ World. In the previous edition, I discussed the influence of modernist thought and secularism on Christian marriage. In particular, I addressed the modernist notion that views sex as a tool of masculinity and female subjugation. I regarded this as a threat to the Christian family and warned against its dangers. I emphasized the need for believers to uphold Biblical principles regarding the role of sex in marriage, rather than subscribing to philosophies designed to promote rebellion and disharmony within the Christian home.

In this edition, I turn our attention to the practice of Omugwo; a beautiful cultural tradition that, if not carefully managed, can become a source of conflict. I will explore its relevance in contemporary society and offer a Christian perspective, so that what is intended to bring joy does not become a cause for sorrow. My prayer is that you will walk in God’s wisdom in managing your home and marriage, in the name of Jesus Christ.

Understanding Omugwo

Omugwo is an Igbo cultural practice where the wife’s mother or another elder female relative comes to assist the new mother with childcare and household responsibilities following childbirth. Though “Omugwo” is an Igbo term, the practice is common across many African cultures. It is a time-honoured way of easing a young mother into her new role with the loving support of someone experienced.

Several justifications make Omugwo a wise and valuable tradition:

1. Support and Experience: A new mother is still learning the ropes of motherhood. She needs the support and guidance of those more experienced. The Yoruba adage says, “A child may have as many clothes as the elder, but never as many rags.” This reminds us that experience outweighs possessions. The wisdom a mother has acquired over the years, raising her own children, is invaluable during this delicate phase of her daughter’s life.

2. Safety and Trust: In today’s world, hiring domestic help can come with risks. There are troubling reports of housemaids becoming rivals, disrupting homes, or even harming family members. The safest option, many believe, is to bring in someone from one’s bloodline; someone who genuinely cares for the wellbeing of both mother and child. While even some relatives can act malevolently, they are often known entities and can be carefully chosen or avoided.

3. Practical Challenges Abroad: For many living abroad, childcare is expensive, and work schedules are demanding. New mothers, especially those in shift-based jobs or remote work, often struggle to balance work and family. In such cases, having a trusted mother figure to manage the home and care for the baby becomes a necessity, not a luxury. It also grants peace of mind that enhances the mother’s productivity at work.

4. Postpartum Health: Some women experience significant health challenges after childbirth, especially those who undergo surgical procedures. They are advised to rest and avoid strenuous activities. During this recovery period, a caring and understanding mother’s presence can be a source of healing and strength.

5. A Rewarding Homecoming: For many daughters, bringing their mother abroad for Omugwo is a way to honour and reward years of sacrifice. It becomes a moment of pride and fulfilment, both for the mother and the daughter. In many African communities, a woman returning from Omugwo abroad is seen as one who has dined with royalty. Her appearance, confidence, and even wardrobe often reflect her recent travels. In some cases, families use the opportunity to gift their mothers with upgraded living conditions or a new car. These gestures are culturally meaningful and emotionally rewarding.

The Controversy

Despite its many benefits, Omugwo is not without controversy, particularly in the Christian home. One of the most debated issues is who should perform the Omugwo: the wife’s mother or the husband’s mother?

Traditionally, the wife’s mother undertakes the role. However, in some situations, the husband’s mother may insist on going, either out of jealousy, competition, or a desire for recognition. This becomes especially problematic if the husband is emotionally dependent on his mother and fails to draw healthy boundaries. When the wife’s preference is disregarded in favour of the mother-in-law, it can spark tension between the couple and strain family relationships.

This situation has led to deep misunderstandings and even conflict in Christian marriages. If not handled with wisdom, what was meant to nurture the new mother can cause division. Therefore, it is essential that couples prayerfully and jointly agree on how to approach Omugwo in a way that honours both families but prioritizes the peace and wellbeing of the immediate household.

Conclusion

Omugwo, at its core, is a noble and supportive tradition that reflects African communal values. However, like every cultural practice, it must be approached with discernment, particularly in the Christian home. The goal is to build up the family, not tear it apart. As Christians, we must strive to make decisions not based on sentiment or tradition alone, but on wisdom, love, and mutual understanding.

May your home be filled with peace, wisdom and the grace of God.

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

The post Singles’ World July Edition ’25 appeared first on The Olive Branch.

Welcome to the June edition of the Singles’ World for 2025. In the last edition, I discussed with you the impact of modernist thoughts and secularism on Christian marriage. I discussed the movement by feminist activists to incite women to live independently and be assertive instead of allowing their husbands to treat them as subordinates in a marriage relationship whereas both of them are equal. I hinted that these are demonic teachings that are taught to erode the sacred Word of God and upturn the order of God in the home. The attention of the church is being called to this evil secularisation of the Word of God because it is already laying a siege against the Christian marriage.

In this edition, I will discuss another influence of modernism and secularism on Christian marriage. It is my prayer that you will not be swayed by these false teachers so that you can follow the path of godliness and righteousness.

Sex as Tool of Masculinity and Female Subjugation: Another modernist thought trending among feminist activists is that sex is a tool of masculinity for oppressing women. This perspective is rooted in a jaundiced and subjective mindset, rebelling against God’s Word and leading others astray. The Bible teaches that everything God created, including sex, is good (Genesis 1:31). God’s command to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28) necessitates sexual union between husbands and wives.

This feminist ideology implies that wives should have firm control over their bodies, submitting to sex only when they desire, defying the biblical principle that husbands and wives have authority over each other’s bodies (1 Corinthians 7:4). Such views can lead to tension and disharmony in Christian families. These malicious advocates presumptuously teach that the male sexual organ was created for oppressing women.

If these activists focused on men who abuse their wives, violate women’s primacy without consent, or engage in rape and molestation, their concerns would be understandable. Such men are deviants with morally bankrupt and depraved minds. However, their blanket statement about all men is misguided.

This feminist thought can create tension and disharmony in Christian families. If women view sex as a tool of oppression, they may:

1. Deny their husbands sex, leading to potential infidelity.

2. Reject marriage altogether, potentially leading to alternative lifestyles like lesbianism or living as “baby mamas.”

God created men and women with distinct roles, with men as initiators and women as helpmeets. The purpose of sex is to fulfill God’s mandate to be fruitful and multiply, not to oppress or subjugate women. Men and women were designed to work together in harmony, not in opposition.

We must reject this misguided ideology and uphold God’s design for marriage and sex. Men and women should work together in harmony, fulfilling God’s mandate and enjoying a healthy, loving relationship.

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

The post Singles’ World June Edition ’25 appeared first on The Olive Branch.

I am delighted to welcome you to the May edition of the Singles’ World for 2025. In the last edition, I discussed with you the influence of modernism and secularism on Christian marriage. I discussed the gradual attempt that is being made to decolonise and Africanise the Bible and thereby superimpose the doctrines of the African Traditional Religion on the infallible Word of God. I hinted that the Bible doctrines are being subverted and liberalised which I believe portends danger for the Pentecostal Christian theology.

In addition, polygamy is now being touted as the indigenous African culture which the Bible forbids because the Europeans, which purportedly wrote the Bible, want to reduce the population of the Africans. We insist that the Bible is the Word of God, and it was not written by the Europeans to enslave Africans. In this edition, I will discuss another influence of modernism and secularism on Christian marriage. This influence has continued to potentially impact negatively on the Christian marriage.

1. Independence for Women: One of the modernist trends today, as taught by the feminist activists, is to ask women to fight for their independence even in the Christian marriage. This is against the background that when such women have husbands that enforce their submission, they should fight for their independence even if it means walking out of the marriage and move on in life. According to the Christian theology, the woman was not created to live independent of her husband but to submit to her husband according of Ephesians 5:22. In fact, 1 Cor. 11:9 says that the woman was created for the man.

According to the order of God on the Christian family, the man is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the Church- Ephesians 5:23. Just as the Church cannot live independently without Christ who is the head of the church, the wife cannot live independently of her husband as the modernist false teachers teach. These false teachers believe that the Bible is unfair to women in its doctrines on marriage where the wife is under obligation to submit to her own husband.

Submission to these modernist scholars means subservience and slavery, and therefore, women are being told to stand up and fight for their independence. This is an attempt to vitiate and secularise the Word of God and also make our Christian women to be stubborn and unruly to their husbands. I say often that women feminists cannot become good wives as they believe in gender equality.

In the family setting, the husband and the wife are not equal; they may be equal in other climes though. The position of the Bible is not for women to live independent lives. That is why some Christian wives cannot endure, and they are not willing to bear anything in the marriage; their solution is to get out of any marriage that is opposed to their independence or fight the man until they are independent. That is a demonic doctrine and stand.

2. Assertiveness: Another trend in many homes today is that wives are being trained and taught to be assertive in their homes. They are taught that men don’t deserve much honour and respect or else they will maltreat you and turn you into slaves. So, assertiveness is one of the ways by which women can liberate themselves from the dominion and authority of men. I am not in support of the oppression of women, and the Bible is vehemently opposed to it.

Men are under obligation to love their wives and not to tyrannise them. But assertiveness in the feminist parlance means standing up for your right. This is not possible without some confrontation. There is no way a woman can stand up in defence of herself against the position of her husband without causing altercations and unimaginable crisis in the family. While there is nothing absolutely wrong for a woman to express her feelings and thoughts, such should be done clearly and respectfully without obviating the place of submission in the home. Unquestionably, this strange feminist thought pitches the husband against his wife through radical activism which is a rebellious attitude.

What we see eventually in the family according to this advocate of assertiveness is that we will have “two men” living together rather than a man and a woman. Like a preacher remarked, “a man loves the one he serves and the one that serves him, he fights the one that is at the level with him.” That is, the wife that is rubbing shoulders with him under the mantra that she is equal to her husband. We cannot have two masters in the same home.

The Christian marriage today is being endangered by these evil modernist thoughts. Hence, the prevalence of broken homes in society today because many Christian wives are seeking independence and freedom by hiding under assertiveness to confront their husbands in the most militant, atrocious and despicable aluta language. This modernist thought erodes the most treasured Christian ethos that exudes godliness and the sacredness of the Christian marriage.

Modernism and secularism have impacted negatively on the Christian marriage. These evil thoughts must be resisted if you want to enjoy your marriage and get the best of God. Proverbs 22:29 says “Don’t remove the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” This is the Word of God.  Proverbs 14:1 says “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” Are you building your house or plucking it down? Do you want to build your house or pluck it down?

By the grace of God, we will continue from here next month. Please do not forget to send me your comments and testimonies. If you are not born again, please surrender your life to Jesus Christ today. Tomorrow may be too late. Until then, God bless you. Amen.

Pastor Jide Ajidahun

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