Beware of false prophets - Moruti Lesole

Christians have been warned to be on the look out for businessmen parading as men of God. During a recent interview with The Midweek Sun, retired Pastor Lesole Lesole of Pentecost Holiness Church in Kanye said that Batswana should focus on the true gospel of Christ that focuses on salvation and stop running after miracles, healing and prophecies.

Pastor Lesole observed that believers have forgotten the good news of salvation. “Prophecies, healing and miracles are part of the package of the Christian faith. But the Word of God should be preached and lived first,” he said. He cautioned that if not vigilant, Batswana will fall prey to money-launderers who will take advantage of their desperation.

“Satan appears as an angel of light, nevertheless, we shall know them by their fruit,” he quoted the Scripture. Pastor Lesole has also observed that there are servants of God whose aim is to live in luxury at the expense of their congregations, warning that God is not pleased at all.

“Money collected from the church should among others, be used to improve the lives of Batswana and not for pastors to show off,” he said, adding that responsible and accountable churches have finance departments, which pastors should not interfere with. He advised that pastors should stay away from church money but rather wait to be updated on the church financial standing by the appointed team.

Money is tempting, and also ‘the love of money is the root of all evil’ Pastor Lesole quoted again from the Scripture. The 70 year-old man who has been in the ministry for 30 years said that young ministers of God lack maturity to handle ministry.

He said that even though most of them have been to Bible colleges to study theology, they are full of pride. “They lack humility and are after fame and popularity, which is against the will of God. They should humble themselves and do away with showing off,” he said, calling for young pastors to have mentors who will guide them in their ministry journey.

On other issues, Pastor Lesole revealed that he retired from leading the church because members of the community and the church had begun idolising him and calling the church ‘kereke ya ga Lesole’ which he said is not Biblical. For him, when the pastor becomes too popular than his calling, pride creeps in and the church becomes a cult.

“A man of God who likes popularity will eventually fall from God’s grace. I encourage pastors to choose humility over fame and popularity,” he said. In response Reverend John Philip of Botswana Bible Training Institute said Batswana should be contented with what they have.

“The problem is that they have the spirit of curiosity and anything new excites them,” he said, urging them to go for tried and tested formulas in people, places and religion.

Prophet Daniel Maguri of Grace Life ministries said the challenge in Botswana has been some foreign pastors who come to deceive people and rob them off their hard-earned cash. “If people lack the spirit of discernment, they will continue to be swindled of their money,” he said.