The General Overseer of Solemn Faith International Church, Pastor Matthew Eleojoh James has emphasized that holiness is not foolishness.
He made this declaration during the Sunday service held at the church auditorium, located at Road 21, Plot 14, Federal Housing Estate, Woji, Port Harcourt, while preaching on the topic “The Beauty of Holiness (Part 3).”
Preaching from the scriptures in Psalm 29:2 and 2 Chronicles 20:21, Pastor Mathew drew the congregation’s attention to the fact that true holiness is rooted in wisdom and must never be confused with folly.
He explained that God, the wisest being in the universe, is also the holiest, stressing that wisdom and holiness are inseparable attributes of divinity.
According to him, holiness is the foundation of wisdom. Quoting from Proverbs 9:10, James 1:17, and James 3:17, he underscored that without holiness, wisdom cannot be obtained, and without wisdom, greatness cannot be achieved. He added that holiness births wisdom, which in turn secures divine restoration, problem-solving ability, and fulfillment of destiny.
The pastor went further to explain that holiness is synonymous with godliness, referencing 1 Timothy 3:16 and 2 Peter 3:11. He described godliness as “God in the flesh,” pointing to John 1:1-5 to show how Godliness is the embodiment of God’s nature manifesting in human life.
Highlighting the profits of godliness, Pastor Mathew said it enables believers to live peaceful and quiet lives, as reflected in 1 Timothy 2:2 and Hebrews 12:15. He also added that godliness attracts the goodness of God, reminding the congregation of the assurance in Psalm 84:11 that God will not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly.
Speaking on how to live a godly life, he urged Christians to show willingness for God’s work, withdraw from corrupt-minded individuals, embrace contentment, stand for the truth, and follow after godliness. He warned that associating with people of corrupted minds would hinder spiritual growth and derail one’s destiny.
In his admonition, Pastor Mathew cautioned against mistaking holiness for foolishness. He said foolishness destroys greatness, as seen in the biblical accounts of King Saul and Amnon. He noted that a destiny without wisdom sinks into ruin, and stressed that greatness can only be fulfilled on the platform of wisdom drawn from holiness.
He also pointed out that restoration is vital for accessing acceleration and decoration in life. According to him, lives remain fresh when God is manifested in the flesh through godliness, which preserves believers from decay and stagnation.
The service was marked by inspiring ministration from the church choir, the Solemn Voices, whose songs stirred deep worship among the congregation. Explosive prayer sessions were also conducted, creating an atmosphere of divine intervention and breakthrough.
The worshippers testified of massive encounters and remarkable testimonies, which they attributed to God’s intervention through the teaching of holiness.
The service ended on a high note, with Pastor Mathew reinforcing his central message: Holiness is not foolishness; it is the pathway to wisdom, restoration, and greatness.
