By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has advised young people to uphold moral purity, diligence, and careful decision-making in marriage.
The 84-year-old cleric gave the counsel during his message at the May 2026 Holy Ghost Service held on Friday at the Redemption City of God along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
Pastor Adeboye
Stonix News reports that in his sermon with the theme: Excellent Counsel, he addressed issues relating to relationships, family life, and personal responsibility.
Speaking to RCCG singles of marriageable age, Adeboye stressed the importance of prayer, discipline, and character in choosing a life partner.
The holiness preacher warned against making decisions based solely on physical appearance or societal pressure, urging both men and women to consider values such as moderation, hospitality, and financial stability before committing to marriage.
The octogenarian also encouraged young people to remain steadfast in their faith and avoid compromising their standards due to delays in marriage.
He said: “To those in marriageable age, my advice to you is that you must keep yourself pure. Don’t say because marriage is delaying, you will turn yourself to a harlot. And before you begin to decide on who to marry, please pray.
”To the men, choose very wisely. Don’t choose simply because of beauty. Don’t marry because of beauty, that is why you have to pray. There are many demons that are very beautiful.
”Don’t marry a girl who cannot cook. If she can’t cook and if she’s not hospitable, you’re heading for trouble. The bible made it clear that your wife must be someone with excellence and hospitality.
”Don’t marry a girl who does not do things in moderation. No matter how close you are to marriage, if your girl is suggesting a wedding that will plunge you into debt, call it off.
”As much as possible, marry a girl that is in the same family of God with you. I’m not saying that other families of God are not good. There are so many of them that are far superior to us.
“But when it comes to marriage, it will be good if the parents of your wife to be are in the same place where the General Overseer can step into your situation when challenges come because occasionally, the boat may rock.
”The girl you’re going to marry, must not be heavily made up. You must ask yourself the question, what is behind the make up? Because one day you will discover that under the excessive makeup, there’s something underneath.
”To the sisters, no matter how religious the brother may be, no matter how handsome, how he can pray in tongues. If he comes to you and he wants to marry you, ask him if he has a job.
”In Genesis, God gave Adam a job before a wife. If he has no job, how is he going to take care of the family? The bible says that any man that cannot provide for his family is worse than an infidel.
”Don’t marry a brother whose tongue is too sweet.”
The Ifewara-born cleric further emphasised the need for diligence, respect for parents, and commitment to God from a young age.
According to him, hard work and obedience are essential for success and longevity, while neglecting these principles could have negative consequences.
He urged youths to stay focused, honour their parents, and remain devoted to God in order to achieve a fulfilled life.
Speaking further, whom many have said appears to be winding down with the nature of his recent messages, advised youths to be diligent in whatever they do.
”Be diligent in whatever you’re doing and you will sit with kings. Be diligent and you will be rich, be lazy and you will be poor. Be diligent one way or the other and you will make it to the top. God has instructed young people to honour their father and mother’s so that their days will be long.
”If you want to live to good old days, honour your parents. It is a dangerous thing not to honour your parents. If you don’t honour your parents, the possibility of you to becoming parents is very narrow.
”Honour your creator in the days of your youth.
”When you’re young, right from your youth, commit yourself to the service of God. Be diligent no matter your age,” he added.
What's your reaction?
