The following is a transcription of On the Lord’s Side Podcast presented on GospelBellsRadio on February 17, 2026 by Olufemi Oguntokun. It may not fully match with the audio, but represents a near perfect transcription of the broadcast.
On Excuses, Prophecy, and the Russian Hotel Scandal
Recently, a story circulated about a Russian man who travelled to Ghana and reportedly to another East African country. He approached women on the streets—married and unmarried—casually invited them to his hotel room, secretly recorded the encounters, and later placed the videos behind a paywall, charging $5 per viewing.
Many were outraged. Some focused on the foreigner who appeared to debase African women. Others asked painful questions: Is it truly this easy to manipulate our daughters? Is it this easy for someone to fall for charm when they think no one is watching?
We reflected on what people do when they believe they are unseen. For those of us who are on the Lord’s side, we know that nothing escapes the eyes of Him who sees all things. Hebrews 4:13 reminds us that all things are naked and open before Him with whom we have to do.
There was, however, one bright moment in that troubling narrative: one woman said no. When asked if she was married, she replied, “I’m not married, but no.” It was a relief to see that not everyone yielded. We emphasized then the importance of “no” in the life of a believer.
Titus 2:11–12 teaches us that the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. Grace does not merely forgive; grace trains us. It teaches us to say no.
Now, one of the women caught in those videos has offered an explanation. She said: “My pastor prophesied that I would marry a white man. That was why I gave in easily to the Russian guy.”
The media has referred to these women as “victims,” and in one sense they are—because they were recorded without consent. But as believers, we must also examine the spiritual lesson.
The human heart has an unlimited capacity to generate excuses.
Adam said, “The woman You gave me…” Saul said, “The people…” But David, when confronted, said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). That is the posture of a broken heart.
Let us even assume, for the sake of argument, that a pastor truly prophesied to her. Does a prophecy justify sin? Absolutely not.
This is one reason God does not reveal the full future to us. Because when we hear a fragment of promise, we are tempted toward self-help.
Consider Abraham. He was promised descendants as numerous as the sand of the sea (Genesis 22:17). When the opportunity came to have a child through Hagar, he took it. Perhaps he reasoned, “This must be how God will fulfill His word.” Yet it was not God’s method.
Isaiah 9:7 declares, “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” When God promises, God performs. We do not need to assist Him through sin.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth offers a similar cautionary tale. When told he would be king, Macbeth initially reasoned, “If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me.” But later, urged by ambition, he murdered the reigning king to force the prophecy into fulfillment. The result was tragedy.
So it is spiritually. When we attempt ungodly means to achieve what we believe is God’s will, we reveal a heart not yet surrendered.
If God has spoken, His zeal will accomplish it. He will never require unrighteousness to fulfill His purposes. The hallmarks of His kingdom are righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17).
Let us not excuse sin. Let us repent of it. And let us trust God to bring to pass what He has promised—without our compromise.
On Tithing, Mercy, and the False Choice
Another matter that has stirred conversation is a statement by Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa. On a podcast, she said she stopped paying tithes to church and would rather pay hospital bills or help people directly. She argued that many churches are already wealthy and that pastors often live in great affluence.
Now, let us approach this carefully and biblically.
First, the claim that “all churches are rich” is not accurate. There are countless struggling churches and ministries around the world faithfully laboring with limited resources.
Second, we must categorize this question properly. Some Christian questions fall under the principle of 1 Corinthians 10:23: “All things are lawful, but not all things are expedient.” But the matter of giving belongs under a different framework.
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for tithing meticulously while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness. Yet He said, “These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
That is the key. It is not either/or. It is both/and.
In the New Testament, giving is guided by standards rather than strict prescriptions. We are called to give willingly, cheerfully, generously, and sacrificially (2 Corinthians 9:7). If someone sets aside a tenth in that spirit, that can fulfill those standards. But Christian giving must flow from a consecrated heart.
The false choice fallacy says: “Either I give to church, or I help the poor.” Biblically, that is a false dichotomy.
At the same time, we must acknowledge that when churches misuse resources, they create confusion. There is such a thing as “the burden of a prosperous condition.” Prosperity carries responsibility. To whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48).
The beauty of giving through faithful Christian institutions is that it creates a wall between the giver and the beneficiary. You may never meet the person your gift helped. That aligns beautifully with Matthew 6—letting not your left hand know what your right hand is doing.
Yet, if someone stands before you in genuine need, you must help. You cannot hide behind structure or policy to avoid mercy.
So what is the answer? Not condemnation. Not abandonment of the church. But prayer for reform, for integrity, and for churches to return to their core mission: proclaiming Christ and practicing mercy.
Let us do the latter without neglecting the former.
On Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Another troubling report emerged: a pastor allegedly arrested in Bayelsa State for hiring a cultist to kill a rival pastor over church membership and property.
These are allegations, but even the existence of such a report is sobering.
We must not be naïve. Jesus warned us about wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). A shepherd would never invite a wolf into the flock—but a wolf dressed like a sheep gains entry.
Not everyone who bears the title “pastor” is truly a shepherd of God’s flock. By their fruits you shall know them (Matthew 7:20). When the fruits are envy, violence, greed, and rivalry, they do not reflect the Spirit of Christ.
The apostle Paul warned that some serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (Romans 16:18).
We have been warned. We must test the spirits (1 John 4:1). And we must remain circumspect.
Let us not be shocked—but let us be vigilant.
On the Slippery Slope of Moral Compromise
Finally, I came across a video of a speaker arguing that society should reduce its negative feelings toward pedophiles, claiming they do not choose their inclinations and deserve acceptance so long as they do not act on them.
This is deeply disturbing.
We are told that discomfort is merely prejudice, and that such individuals are simply expressing a “sexual preference.” But we must be clear: children cannot give informed consent. Sexual exploitation of minors is abuse.
History shows how moral boundaries erode. In the 1960s and early 1970s, the American Psychiatric Association classified homosexual behavior as a mental disorder. Over time, through activism and cultural shifts, that classification was removed. Today, many societies normalize what Scripture calls sin.
The slippery slope is real. Once a culture redefines one moral boundary, it becomes easier to redefine another.
Psalm 40 speaks of being pulled from a horrible pit and miry clay. Without divine intervention, descent continues.
Isaiah warns, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20).
This is not about hatred. It is about truth. We must not, under the guise of academic compassion, rename what God has clearly defined.
The enemy plays the long game. But we are called to stand firm.
May the Lord protect His people. May He preserve His elect from deception. May He raise courageous voices to counter the voice of error. And may He keep us pure and steadfast in a fallen world.
Amen.
Thank you for staying with us this morning on GospelBellsRadio for On the Lord’s Side: Christian Perspectives on News and Current Events.
By the grace of God, I will be with you again tomorrow. Whatever you do today, remain firmly on the Lord’s side.
God bless you. God bless you real good.
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