What happens when a spouse or a minister neglects their God-given responsibilities? The Bible speaks clearly about Onah: A Biblical Warning Against Neglect —yet many overlook its serious implications. Ignoring this duty can lead to emotional distance, spiritual consequences, and even broken relationships. Could this warning apply to you? Let’s dive into Scripture and uncover the truth about Onah and the dangers of neglect in marriage.

Judah found a wife for his oldest son, Er. Her name was Tamar. But the Lord saw that Er, Judah’s firstborn son, was very bad. So the Lord caused him to die. Then Judah said to Onan, ‘You should marry your dead brother’s wife and have sex with her. You are her dead husband’s brother. You must have a son who will become your dead brother’s descendant.’ But Onan did not want Tamar to give birth to his child. He knew that the child would not belong to him. So when he had sex with his brother’s wife Tamar, he made his semen go onto the ground. Onan did this so that Tamar would not give birth to a child for his dead brother. What Onan did was bad, and the Lord was not pleased with him. So the Lord caused Onan to die too. Genesis 38:6-10 (EasyEnglish)

This is another funny, sadistic experience and looking at the swift judgment, we can tell that this was considered in the sight of God as great wickedness. In those days (in the old testament) there was a custom, if a man dies before his wife had children for him, his brother had to marry the dead man’s wife. The family would think of a new son born to these parents as the child of the dead brother. So this son would receive all the land and properties belonging to the dead man.

However, Onan thought it wise to commit himself deceptively to only enjoying the sexual pleasure that being married to his brother’s widow provides. Yet, refuses to do the very thing that would give his brother and brother’s wife prosperity. This was great wickedness in the sight of God and this ended his life and further opportunity to carry out the function of reproducing and that we are looking at this topic today – Onah: A Biblical Warning Against Neglect

Likewise, it is great wickedness to be part of a ministry yet refuse to do the very thing that would lead to the establishment, growth, prosperity, posterity, unity and spirituality of such ministry. All you ever do is to selfishly enjoy whatever benefits being part of such a ministry gives. It is wickedness to be a branch pastor over a ministry, yet, sit over the decline of the branch, sit over the instability of the ministry, sit over the financial handicaps of the ministry, in as much as your convenience, security and desires are met, you become nonchalant, carefree, care less about the situation. Some of you intend to leave the ministry or stop pastoring the branch you have been put in charge of in a way that by the time you leave, the church attendance will dingle, the ministry becomes destabilized, the leadership becomes confused, the finances suddenly are drained yet you left.

My dear servant of God, if you have ever done this before or you are intending to do this, know very well that this is a great sin in the sight of the Lord. It is the sin of wickedness. He (God) intends to judge such sins swiftly, no matter the prophet seed you give, no matter the number of anointed hands laid on you, no matter the deliverance sessions you undergo, no matter the fasting and prayers you do. Once you carry out this great wickedness, you will definitely end your ministry or better still ruin it and remain in disgrace.

So can’t you do a little bit more to help that church or ministry grow?  Can’t you wait a little bit patiently until the senior pastor finds a replacement for you and heartily releases you?  Can’t you give a little bit more to ensure the project is accomplished?  Can’t you pray, fast and do a little bit more so as to see stability and prosperity in that ministry you are currently serving in?  Can’t you go out of your way, deprive yourself and humble yourself, just to enhance unity and peace in that church or ministry?  If you can’t do this and you choose the contrary, you have just committed the sin of wickedness and you probably will end or ruin your ministry abruptly.

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