When my family and I were going through a faith-building phase we moved from a comfortable home to sharing a two-bedroomed flat in a nefarious part of town. We were on the fifth floor while the floor below us was occupied by some residents who converted their apartments into brothels and party spots. Even the people we shared the apartment with were of questionable means. I will admit that I had an air of superiority when I compared myself to my sisters in Christ who partook in the oldest profession. They were women of easy virtue, overnight companions, prostitutes, and I was not. I never made a single friend, did not evangelise at all and receded to staying indoors at all times. Despite all the tests God gave me to humble myself, I would always feel and think that I was better than all of those ladies. 3 years later, God blessed us and we left that place moving to suburbia. It was like Heaven for me and I greatly appreciated it, life was good again. I made a concerted effort to scrub my memory clean of those days and assimilate back into my familiar suburban life.

As one of my hobbies, I make an effort to look for movies or stories with Christian content or lessons, especially for my kids. I make it a point that they watch that instead of the usual cartoon drivel on TV. One day I found the story of HOSEA. I watched it with my kids and they asked as much as possible. I found myself feeling quite irritated by the people of Israel. In my head, I kept asking myself why these ancient people would keep disrespecting God like that. I mean really! I even went on to read the book of HOSEA and I felt more resentment towards them. As children of God, how can we prostitute ourselves to other spirits? We can never do such unbecoming things, right? WAIT what did the scripture say “…they consult a wooden idol and are answered by a stick of wood. A spirit of prostitution leads them astray they are unfaithful to their GOD” - Hosea 4:12. I took a minute to evaluate the meaning of Prostitution in God’s eyes. I began to reflect.

No scripture states the Israelites performed the conventional method of prostitution that we are all aware of, The Lord was distressed about the condition of their heart and what they were choosing to worship when they turned away from the Lord. So indeed people these days have moved away from worshipping the wooden idols of old, but today’s idols have since evolved and are way more advanced.  Think of all the times you are on any social media platforms whilst in church, or opted to skip service because you were chasing a deal that could give you money. Watched a movie instead of praying or meditating on the word. Please do not misunderstand me I am not advocating that people should not have fun or enjoy their activities. I am highlighting that when you leave the activities that nourish your SPIRIT in pursuit of things that poison it, you are prostituting yourself. I created PRIDE and made that my idol and in effect prostituted my Spirit to Pride. 

When we lived above a brothel, I had time to speak a word or two into their lives but I chose not to, I justified my actions by saying they would not listen to me or it’s a waste of time. When I watched the story of Hosea I told myself that I have neither worshipped idols nor have I created a wooden god of any sort.  I was wrong. I did something worse; I carved them with my heart. I created pride, self-righteousness, arrogance and judgement and placed them in my heart. I listened to them and not the voice of love that was from my God. In those moments, I prostituted the most precious part of me and that was my spirit to all these gods I created. It was not my finest moment. I did ask for forgiveness and repented now I always take every opportunity to speak to someone about the Word of God to anyone I come across, depending on his or her response I go all out or sow a seed. Either way, everyone needs to know and hear of the good news, the word of God.

We have experienced some awesome testimonies from evangelising that have greatly boosted our business. Even connecting us to divine helpers that we still talk to today.

When one is called to minister, it’s not your choice to decide where or to whom you minister to.  I played Jonah and it was only by Grace that I didn’t get swallowed by the whale.  Whether it is to minister to people that want or don’t want to hear the WORD, we are destined to share it.  So my fellow brothers and sisters I hope you learn from my experience and