The Chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has called on believers across the region and Nigeria to exercise restraint in the face of rising religious provocations on social media, warning that engaging in heated online exchanges does not reflect the teachings of Christ.
The admonition was contained in a statement issued in Kaduna on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Association, and shared with newsmen.
NCA particularly urged young people and clergy to avoid what he described as “vain and unprofitable arguments” capable of breeding division and spiritual decline.
Citing several Bible passages, including Titus 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:14, 2 Timothy 2:23 and 1 Timothy 6:4–5, Hayab noted that Scripture consistently warns believers against quarrels that produce strife rather than edification, stressing that online religious debates have become counterproductive, shifting from meaningful dialogue to abusive exchanges that undermine Christian witness.
The cleric further reiterated that Christians are not called to respond to provocation with insults or hostility, even when their faith is mocked or misunderstood, as he explained that true Christian maturity is demonstrated through restraint, wisdom and peaceful conduct, even as “believers cannot fight for God.”
He said, “The Bible warns Christians against engaging in vain arguments. From a Biblical angle, vain arguments include reckless, unprofitable, and provocative debates. Believers in Christ are, therefore, instructed to avoid vain arguments because they generate strife, ungodliness, and ruin the speakers and the listeners”.
“There are applicable Bible verses, such as Titus 3:9, 2 Timothy 2:14, 2 Timothy 2:23, and 1 Timothy 6:4-5, which clearly admonish Christians to live by example”, he stated.
Accordingly, “as a Christian leader, I do not teach, encourage or instruct church members or any Christian at all to insult the divinity of another faith just because some disgruntled persons say or write awful things about Jesus or Christianity. An honest study of the Bible will help you understand that as an ardent follower of Christ, you cannot “fight for God.”
“Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ can ‘fight’ those who fight Him, as He did with Saul on his way to Damascus. From a Christian biblical viewpoint, the phrase “Who can battle with the Lord?” underscores that no one can battle against the Lord, because God is an omnipotent warrior and defender whose battles are strategic, and He never loses. Therefore, no Christian should be deceived into copying anyone’s religious zeal.
“Besides, the message in the verses against vain arguments is to prevent believers from wasting time on unproductive, divisive conversations that do not foster spiritual growth or love. Such debates are “unprofitable, worthless, and causes of ungodliness.
“Therefore, the Biblical instruction is to “avoid,” “shun,” or “have nothing to do with” them. It is not a show of strength when any Christian uses abusive words with others, thinking that they were “defending the faith.”
“Rather, such an act derides the Christian faith, makes a mockery of Christ’s spiritual authority and dims the bright light the Christian gospel brings to the world.”, he emphasized.
