Wisdom For The Day Devotional 13 January 2026 By Bishop Mike Okonkwo – Develop Zero Tolerance For Tribalism
TOPIC: Develop Zero Tolerance For Tribalism (TREM Devotional 13 January 2026)
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” – Colossians 3:9–11 (KJV)
MESSAGE
Beloved, my heart bleeds when I look at the state of the Church today. How can anyone claim to be a new creation in Christ and still be bound by earthly sentiments such as tribalism and ethnicity? You hear people say, “I am Yoruba,” “I am Igbo,” “I am Ijaw,” “I am Hausa.” My question is this: do you truly know who you are? In Christ, you are a new creation!
You see, no one will be drawn to a gospel that promotes division. The message of Christ unites, it never separates. When we allow tribal bias and ethnic preferences to define our relationships or leadership in the Church, we contradict the very essence of the gospel we preach.
The Scriptures are clear, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26–28 KJV)
In our ministry, our board members come from different tribes and backgrounds. Our key ministers are from various parts of the country. Why? Because we believe what the Bible teaches, that in Christ, we are one family. I do not care where you come from; what matters is that you are born again and walking in truth.
Let’s practice what we preach! If the Church cannot break the chains of division and prejudice, how can we expect the world to do so? True transformation must begin within us.
Decide today, with the help of the Holy Spirit, that you will not participate in tribal politics or promote division. In Christ, there is no Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, or Ijaw. There is only one identity, we are all one in Him.
We have zero tolerance for tribalism in our ministry. Christ is all, and Christ is in all. Let that be our confession, our conviction, and our culture.
Further reading: Galatians 3:7-29.
Wisdom For The Day Devotional was written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.