
In a powerful and thought-provoking statement that has sparked conversations across Christian circles, Catholic priest Fr. Kelvin Ugwu has voiced his deep concern over what he describes as a disturbing trend among today’s Christians — a greater fear of the devil than of God. Taking to his social media platform, Fr. Ugwu lamented how modern believers seem more intimidated by the mention of demons than they are awed by the holiness and majesty of the Almighty. His words have struck a nerve, as many across the globe reflect on the state of faith in the 21st century.
“Today’s Christians have more fear for the devil than they have for God,” Fr. Ugwu said. “It is unfortunate that at the mention of the name devil, every knee in this our 21st-century Christians bows.” The priest’s message, while simple, is a piercing rebuke of how contemporary Christianity has seemingly shifted from reverence of God to an obsession with demonic warfare and spiritual attacks. For Fr. Ugwu, the evidence is clear: Christians are more likely to tremble at the thought of satanic influence than they are to be moved to repentance and awe by the presence of God.
The priest didn’t stop there. He went on to add, “To control today’s Christians is simple — tell them how demons are after them and watch them do your bidding.” The implication here is unsettling. Fr. Ugwu is not only pointing to a growing imbalance in spiritual focus, but also shedding light on how manipulation can thrive within religious settings. According to him, many preachers and spiritual leaders have discovered that the fastest way to hold power over their congregations is to stoke fear of the devil rather than cultivate love and reverence for God.
The reaction to Fr. Ugwu’s post has been immediate and mixed. While some have praised the priest for his boldness in calling out what they too have noticed within churches and fellowships, others have pushed back, arguing that in a world riddled with evil, it is only natural for Christians to be vigilant against the devil’s schemes. But Fr. Ugwu’s concern is not about ignoring spiritual warfare — it’s about imbalance. It’s about the way fear of the devil has become the defining motivator for many believers, sometimes even replacing the very essence of faith: trust in God.
Churches across Africa and beyond have become increasingly characterized by sermons, crusades, and deliverance services that revolve around breaking curses, casting out demons, and binding spiritual enemies. While these activities are not inherently wrong and are indeed scriptural, the obsession with them has led to a Christianity that often appears more fear-driven than love-inspired. The name of God, Fr. Ugwu suggests, should be the one before which “every knee bows,” not the name of Satan.
A quick survey of Christian media, social content, and church programs reveals the validity of the priest’s concerns. Titles like “Deliverance from Ancestral Spirits,” “Breaking Marine Covenants,” or “Seven Ways to Defeat the Witch Next Door” dominate many faith-based platforms. It’s not uncommon for believers to attend vigils or services primarily motivated by the fear of spiritual attack rather than the pursuit of intimacy with God. Some Christians even believe every setback, illness, or disappointment is the result of a demonic force at work. The devil has been given a throne in the minds of many, seated where God alone should reign.
Fr. Ugwu’s message challenges this mindset, inviting believers to remember the heart of the gospel — that it is not fear that saves, but faith. It is not the devil we worship, but a God who is all-powerful, sovereign, and worthy of trust. In a world that is indeed filled with trials and temptations, the solution is not to inflate the power of Satan in our imagination, but to deepen our knowledge of God’s truth, presence, and supremacy. When the fear of the devil becomes greater than the fear — or rather, the reverence — of God, Christianity loses its anchor.
The priest’s statement also calls into question the role of spiritual leaders in shaping the mindset of their followers. When fear is used as a tool to control, manipulate, or monetize faith, it becomes a weapon rather than a shepherd’s staff. And unfortunately, some church leaders have exploited this fear-based approach, presenting themselves as the only “anointed” ones capable of saving their members from imaginary or exaggerated spiritual threats. For Fr. Ugwu, this is not just unfortunate; it is a tragedy.
His words echo the warnings of Scripture, which consistently emphasize that while believers must remain alert to the devil’s schemes, their primary focus should be on God — His Word, His presence, His power. “Resist the devil, and he will flee,” James 4:7 tells us — but it begins with “Submit yourselves therefore to God.” That order matters. Submission to God is the first defense, not endless panic over spiritual attacks.
Interestingly, Fr. Ugwu’s statement is also a reflection on spiritual maturity. A believer who is grounded in the truth of God’s Word, who walks in obedience and relationship with God, need not live in dread of the enemy. Yes, spiritual warfare is real, but so is the victory that Christ already secured on the cross. The devil is not to be ignored, but neither is he to be elevated beyond his place. He is a defeated foe, not a divine equal.
As Fr. Ugwu’s message continues to circulate online, it has become a mirror for many Christians, inviting them to pause and ask hard questions: Who truly sits on the throne of my heart — God, or fear of the devil? Is my faith driven by love, or by paranoia? Do I serve God with reverence, or simply use Him as a means to escape demonic attacks?
The priest’s post may be brief, but it packs the force of a sermon. It reminds us that the Christian life is not about bowing to fear, but about walking in faith. It is not about being enslaved by dread of demonic activity, but about being set free by the truth of Christ’s victory. It is not about constantly watching our backs for witches, but about fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
In a time where religious sensationalism often overshadows quiet devotion, and where fear is a tool of influence in many spiritual circles, Fr. Ugwu’s words strike a necessary chord. Perhaps what this generation of Christians needs most is not another deliverance session, but a revival of awe — a return to the fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom. Because in the end, it is better to fear God who saves, than to tremble before a devil who has already been defeated.