I am your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki. The Bible warns us in 2 Timothy 3:4 about betrayal. In today’s world, trust has become the scarcest commodity. Integrity is even rarer. If you find a person with integrity, hold onto them tightly.
Yesterday, my friend Israel Joe shared a tragic story about a young man who went missing. His captors demanded a ransom, but later, the young man’s head was discovered buried in a shrine. Shockingly, the person responsible for his abduction and demise was his best friend. This so-called friend had conspired with a shrine priest to execute such a heinous act, all to build his own wealth.
This season, be extremely cautious. Don’t trust people blindly, and don’t reveal your immediate plans. For instance, I’m currently in Bonny, but I waited until I was safely here to inform anyone. It’s better to let people know your whereabouts after you’ve arrived, especially if you’re traveling from the diaspora.
I recall a friend who would always notify someone whenever he landed in Lagos. One day, I visited this friend without notifying his usual contact. It turned out that the person he trusted had been arranging with the compound security guard to steal from him. If you have a habit of informing certain people of your movements, stagger the information. It’s safer to arrive at your destination before notifying anyone.
This is not a time to be overly trusting. For example, a pastor who officiated a wedding later discovered he was the biological father of the bride’s children after a DNA test. Similarly, in another instance, a pastor’s wife’s children turned out to be fathered by another pastor. The level of betrayal in today’s world is shocking.
We’ve seen cases of women engaging in extramarital affairs, only to have videos of their indiscretions surface online. Married women, single mothers, and even pastors need to be extremely vigilant. Don’t allow desperation or carelessness to lead to humiliation or blackmail. Pastors, especially, must be careful with young girls who might set them up for extortion.
From my personal experiences, I’ve learned the importance of discretion. Many people know you even if you don’t know them. For instance, I checked into a hotel recently and didn’t realize the receptionist recognized me. She turned out to be related to a pastor whose church I preached at 25 years ago. If I had been there with someone inappropriate, it could have led to a scandal.
This is a very dangerous generation. People are lovers of themselves, so take precautions in everything:
Relationships: Be cautious about who you trust. Test people’s loyalty before confiding in them.
Transactions: Avoid sharing information about large sums of money you’re expecting or carrying.
Travel Plans: Avoid traveling alone to secluded places with people you barely know.
Food: Be very careful about what and where you eat.
If you have a trustworthy friend, consider yourself blessed, but don’t be naive. Take extreme precautions because the days are evil.
Finally, I have a webinar coming up in January, tagged Hitting the Ground Running Financially in 2025. If you register before the end of December, you’ll get a 5,000 naira discount. People from all over the world have attended my webinars and shared powerful testimonies. Don’t miss this opportunity.
Also, I have properties for sale. If you’re interested, contact me at the same number. God bless you, and stay vigilant in this season of betrayal.
