What Really Defines Sin? Pastor Abel Damina Sparks Debate with Bold Sermon

 

Renowned Nigerian Prophet Abel Damina: Smoking and Drinking Are Not Sins 

Pastor Abel Damina, founder of Abel Damina Ministries and Power City International, has ignited a heated discussion with his thought-provoking New Year’s Eve sermon. Speaking during Sunday service, the renowned preacher boldly declared that smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are not inherently sinful.  

“I’ve told you alcohol is not a sin. I’ve told you cigar is not a sin. If you like, put it on newspaper headlines, I said it,” Damina stated firmly.  

However, Damina did not encourage these behaviors. Instead, he emphasized the importance of wisdom and self-awareness, cautioning his congregation about the potential consequences of such actions.  

“Am I saying you should smoke? You should have sense from your father’s house to know that a cigar will cut short your life,” he explained. “Am I saying you should drink alcohol? You should know that if you drink alcohol, you will lie down inside a gutter. Your shirt and trousers will disappear. You should have the sense to know that.”  

 Challenging Traditional Beliefs  

The pastor’s remarks extended beyond smoking and drinking. He delved into the theological basis of sin, challenging long-standing interpretations of morality. Using the story of Adam and Eve as an example, Damina questioned the widely accepted belief that their sin stemmed from eating fruit from the forbidden tree.  

“Adam and Eve ate nothing,” Damina said. “Were you there? You were not there. So how do we know whether they ate something or not? Jesus was there. Was Jesus there in the Garden of Eden? Yes. Can Jesus explain to us what happened? Yes.”  

He further supported his claims by referencing Mark 7:18-21, where Jesus teaches that sin originates from the heart rather than what one consumes.  

“If they (Adam and Eve) ate, it’ll go to their stomach. It’ll digest and go to the toilet. They’ll be free,” Damina argued. “There’s nothing a man eats that enters his heart. It’ll go to the digestive system, and it’ll go out somehow. It is what comes out of a man that defiles a man, not what goes in. What makes you a sinner is what you’re thinking, not what you’re eating.”  

 A Call for Reflection  

Pastor Damina’s sermon has sparked significant conversation, encouraging many to reconsider traditional definitions of sin and morality. His message underscores the importance of wisdom and self-awareness in navigating life’s choices while pointing to the heart’s condition as the true measure of righteousness.  

Is it time to rethink what truly constitutes sin? Let the debate continue...