When Christians mistake State House invitations for divine blessings

In Zimbabwe, there has emerged a deeply troubling and spiritually disheartening trend that, as a devout Christian, I find both sickening and embarrassing.

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Increasingly, we are witnessing men and women who profess to be followers of Christ boasting on social media and in mainstream news about being invited to the State House or meeting President Emmerson Mnangagwa — portraying these encounters as divine blessings or tokens of God’s special favor upon their lives.

One particularly memorable example was that of a member of the Apostolic sect, who went viral with his “Sapatina Sapatina” video, where he gleefully declared that stepping onto State House soil was a huge blessing.

He went further to describe eating Chicken Inn during his visit as proof that his church membership “paid” — in his own words, “chiPositori chinobhadhara.”

It was an almost comical yet deeply sad display of misplaced faith.

This is not new.

During the late Robert Mugabe’s reign, we saw similar spectacles of Christians jostling to heap praise on him, describing him as the “anointed one” or “chosen by God.”

Some even equated proximity to the President with divine favor, making it seem as though being in his presence was equivalent to standing before God Himself.

But should this really be the case?

Should those who worship the Almighty — the Creator of Heaven and Earth — through His Son Jesus Christ, who reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, reduce themselves to hero-worshipping mere mortals?

Should we, as believers in a God whose power and majesty are infinite, treat a human leader as if his presence bestows divine grace?

Indeed, the Bible commands us to respect those in authority.

Romans 13:1 reminds us that “there is no authority except that which God has established.”

However, what we are witnessing in Zimbabwe today goes far beyond respect — it has crossed into idolatry.

When a Christian feels as if he is walking on holy ground simply because he has entered State House, something has gone terribly wrong in our understanding of faith.

The State House is not the Holy of Holies; it is simply the residence of a fellow human being, flawed and fallible like all of us.

If we claim to follow Christ, then we must look at His example.

Did Jesus ever see it as a blessing to be in the presence of the rulers of His day — men such as Pontius Pilate or King Herod?

Not at all.

In fact, when He stood before Pilate, Jesus declared, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above” (John 19:11).

That was a profound reminder that earthly leaders hold power only because God permits it, and that they remain answerable to Him.

Similarly, the Apostle Paul appeared before King Agrippa, yet never once acted as if he was honored or divinely favored by the encounter.

Instead, Paul fearlessly proclaimed the gospel and spoke truth to power, even while standing in chains (Acts 26).

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God’s servants holding rulers accountable when they strayed from His commandments.

The prophet Nathan confronted King David after his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and his orchestration of her husband’s death (2 Samuel 12:1-9).

The prophet Elijah fearlessly rebuked King Ahab for his wickedness and the murder of Naboth (1 Kings 21:17-24).

Prophet Amos condemned the leaders of Israel for trampling on the poor and perverting justice (Amos 5:11-12).

These prophets did not bow before their kings as if before gods.

They stood firm in truth, knowing that their loyalty was to Jehovah, not to political authority.

They understood that respect for leadership does not mean blind submission or uncritical praise.

Rather, it means calling leaders to righteousness, reminding them of their moral and spiritual duties before God and the people they serve.

So why should it be any different for today’s Christians in Zimbabwe?

If our leaders preside over corruption, injustice, and oppression, it is not our duty to celebrate them but to correct them.

When we see a nation collapsing under mismanagement, poverty, and moral decay, the responsibility of the Christian is not to sing the praises of the powerful, but to speak truth to them.

As Proverbs 31:8-9 commands us, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Yet what do we see instead?

Many who claim to be Christians now glorify the very leaders who have destroyed a once prosperous nation and reduced millions to destitution.

We mistake political invitations for spiritual elevation.

We call corruption “wisdom,” oppression “leadership,” and patronage “blessing.”

We even boast of being fed fast food at the State House, as if it were manna from heaven.

What an insult to our faith and to the suffering people we are called to serve!

This is not Christianity — it is idolatry wrapped in hypocrisy.

When believers place political leaders above moral accountability, they cease to be followers of Christ and become worshippers of power.

They betray both their faith and their God.

Isaiah 1:23 condemned such corruption long ago: “Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow’s case does not come before them.”

True Christianity is not about proximity to power, but about fidelity to truth.

It is not about dining with kings, but about standing with the poor.

It is not about flattering those who rule, but about reminding them that they, too, are under the rule of God.

When Christians trade prophetic courage for political access, they lose their moral authority and betray the very Gospel they claim to uphold.

We must remember that Jesus Himself was no friend of oppressive rulers.

He overturned the tables of corruption in the temple and condemned those who exploited the poor in the name of religion.

If He walked the streets of Zimbabwe today, would He celebrate invitations to State House, or would He stand outside its gates calling for justice for the oppressed, the hungry, and the unemployed?

It is time for Zimbabwean Christians to repent from this dangerous worship of political leaders.

God is not impressed by our selfies with presidents or our ability to dine at their tables.

He looks at how faithfully we uphold His truth and defend His people.

Until we return to that foundation, we will continue to dishonor His name and mislead the world about what true Christianity means.

Let us not forget: we serve a God who raises and removes kings.

He is not impressed by titles or power.

The day of judgment is coming — and on that day, it will not matter who dined with the president, but who stood for righteousness in a corrupt nation.

• Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice advocate and writer. Please feel free to WhatsApp or Call: +263715667700 | +263782283975, or email: mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com, or visit website: https://mbofanatendairuben.news.blog/