“Read the Bible Properly, and Not Just for Magical Purposes” – Pastor Otabil

Accra, Ghana – General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), Pastor Mensa Otabil, has called on Christians to approach the Bible as a source of spiritual growth rather than a tool for magical solutions to life’s challenges.

Speaking at ICGC Christ Temple East in Teshie-Accra, he emphasized the importance of understanding the Bible for faith development rather than using it solely for personal gain.

“I know you read the Psalms in order to get prayers to pray to double your money for next week,” he remarked. “But if you read the Bible properly, and not just for magical purposes, but for understanding of your faith… it affects your prayer life. It affects everything about your life when you know.”

Using a metaphor, Pastor Otabil compared Bible reading to using an iPhone. He explained that many people only use their phones for making calls, unaware of the numerous other features available. “If you fully understand this machine called the Bible, and you understand how it is configured for your life, you realize so many aspects of your life become easy,” he stated.

He urged believers to go beyond selective reading for instant miracles and instead seek a deeper understanding of God’s Word. “Many of us read the Bible for magical purposes… but the Christian faith is more than your enemies being submitted to you. It’s you knowing who you are and what God has made you and what that implies.”

Pastor Otabil encouraged Christians to invest time in studying Scripture, stressing that a well-rooted faith leads to transformation beyond material desires.