Primate Nicholas Okoh has admonished Christians in Nigeria to look up to God to conquer all fears presently enveloping the nation.

Primate Okoh the Head of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) identified these fears as Boko Haram insurgency, Herdsmen menace, fear of Grazing Reserve and Islamisation, Niger Delta Militants, Armed Robbery/Kidnapping, Recession resorting in Hunger, Starvation and Unemployment.

Addressing thousands of Anglican faithful at the Sixth Edition of Divine Commonwealth Conference (DIVCCON) at the National Christian Centre Abuja yesterday, Primate Okoh said these fears as enumerated were enough to shake the faith of Christians living in Nigeria.

Primate Okoh said: “In Nigeria today, the citizenry is living in fears of various forms and sources. In all parts of the country, people are living under perpetual sense of insecurity and uncertainty. From the actions of the Federal Government that seem to sideline some and favour some, it is difficult to know their position on the issue of Nigeria unity. People are afraid because the direction they are going is not clear.”

These fears he said might be dismissed as wrong perceptions of the realities, “but the fact of events available leaves the ordinary man with no option to be afraid.”

However Primate Okoh assured Christians not to lose faith as the battle to conquer all fears belong to the Almighty God.

He counseled: “We must understand that fear does not come from God. The moment we find ourselves being overwhelm with any form of fear e.g. Fear of death, loss, failure, the future, unknown, taking decisions, situations, darkness, etc, we must quickly recognize that satan is at work.”

The strategy of Satan, he pointed out “is to send fear upon men to paralyze their faith in God, and keep them under his manipulations.... What the devil does is to make you walk by sight rather than faith; to shift your eyes from the Almighty God and fix it on your problems, until he penetrates you with the spirit of fear.”

Primate Okoh therefore reinforced the faith of Christians in the fear of God which is not negative or enslaving rather positive and brings freedom. This is the fear referred to when the scripture says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.”

•Photo shows Primate Okoh.

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