FIGHTING A WAR WHICH INVOLVES AN ENEMY OR ENEMIES WITHIN THE FAMILY IS NOT EASY.

FIGHTING A WAR WHICH INVOLVES AN ENEMY OR ENEMIES WITHIN THE FAMILY IS NOT EASY.

FIGHTING A WAR which involves an enemy or enemies within the family is not easy. It is like asking the man who stole your property to help you search for it. While you take him into confidence and lay bare all your strategies, he cuts you deeper than Marcus Brutus did to Julius Caesar. “Et tu Brute” then fall Caesar when Brutus stabbed him.

Samuel kidnapped himself for six days and informed his younger brothers to make a ransom of two million naira available. Out of compassion, he reduced the said ransom and directed his panicking brothers to pay same into the bank account of one Faith (his fiancé). While they made the payment, they were wise to get Nigerian Police involved and surprisingly, they caught Faith when she cashed part of the money on the same day at Samuel’s instance.

 When Faith confessed that she was acting on Samuel’s instructions, the police went for Samuel who boldly admitted having planned and executed the self-kidnap crime to make some money from his rich younger brothers. Samuel complained that he needed money because his business was not thriving. He was producing coffins! Maybe fewer people die those days as he sells fewer coffins. Will this wound ever heal? Will he stop at that when he is through with the case on hand?

Sometime ago, Dasu was having problem with his son, Ahmed whom he directed to look after his brother’s estate in 1992. Ahmed’s brother, Ali was wealthy before he died and their father, Dasu thought it was right for Ahmed to handle the affairs of his brother. Now, Ali’s widow had to sue Ahmed to account for the said estate. All efforts to extradite Ahmed from outside Nigeria where he resides as one of the wealthiest Nigerians also failed. Has Dasu an enemy within his family today? How will late Ali’s wife fend for her family when her husband’s wealth is in dispute?

On July 24, 2013 Jimoh, (25) took his brother’s 3year – old son away from home to an undisclosed destination without notice. Jimoh’s brother never suspected him to have taken his son away for ritual; hence, they worked together towards recovering the child. It was like wearing his clothes with ants in his pants. When Almighty God decided to reveal men’s secretes, Jimoh was caught in his web.

On August 13, 2013 Police prosecutor  told a Magistrate Court how Jimoh  brought his brother’s son for ritual in the company of his bosom friend to a herbalist. They successfully buried the boy alive in a shallow grave after the ritual. Many people want to make money through short cuts at all cost.

All the cases above revolve round money making through short cut. Such short cuts create wounds that may never heal and even if they do, they create scar that will always provoke anger and hatred between family members. “For the love of money is the roof of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wondered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this, aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” 1 Tim 6:10-11.

A man was arrested in November last year for killing his 28 year –old-wife in Lagos. Their oldest child of 5 years was able to say how his father tortured his mother to death. Will this wound ever heal? Listen to him.”I am 5 years old. My daddy beat my mummy with a belt; machete her here (shows arms), machete her here (shows legs). He used belt on her here (points at face); forced my mummy to drink otapiapia (insecticide). My daddy took my mummy away. He said my mummy should get out of the house. Mummy said no!”

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” Eph 6:4. The woman is dead but we have to pray for father and son not to become enemies. Let Almighty God in his mercy turn the heart of the child to his father and reconcile them for his glory and honor.

There are enemies and there are enemies but it is easier to tackle the enemies outside than those within the family. If you cannot trust your own brother, who else will you trust apart from God? While we pray not to have betrayers as relations, friends or co-workers, we should also ensure we do not allow the evil one to use us to betray others. “The Son of Man is going as the Scriptures say he will. But alas for that man who betrays the Son of Man; better for him if he had never been born.” Mtt 26:24. Jesus himself was betrayed by his own apostle.

Jacob and his brother had it rough with one another because their mother’s plan. Joseph was sold by his own brothers into slavery. The woman who poured acid on her husband caused his death.  It is not easy to forgive a betrayer but let us emulate Jesus Christ. Rather than kill your spouse or relation, forgive and pray for him or her. Only God who created life has the right to take it!

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