In today’s Nigerian church, particularly within Pentecostal circles, the phrase “Born Again” has been reduced to a tired cliché, frequently declared but deeply misunderstood. For many self-acclaimed ministers of God, being born again is nothing more than quitting smoking, dropping the bottle, and walking away from illicit affairs. They flaunt these changes like badges of spiritual honour, parading them as the ultimate evidence of salvation.

But let us be clear:”Born Againism” is not behaviour modification, it is heart transformation. The idea that one can claim spiritual rebirth just by avoiding a few visible vices is not only misleading, but it also trivializes the profound message of Jesus Christ. The Saviour did not endure Calvary just so men could stop smoking and drinking. He died to radically change the heart of man, not merely his habits.

Too many self-proclaimed ministers preach a gospel of surface-level change. To them, being born again means looking “clean,” praying loudly, dressing modestly, and shouting “Hallelujah” at every opportunity. Their sermons obsess over alcohol, trousers, hairstyles, and nightclubs, while ignoring the weightier matters; pride, corruption, bitterness, tribalism, and greed. These ministers major in the minors and overlook the transformative depth of genuine salvation.

Let us not forget the words of Jesus in John 3:3, when He said to Nicodemus: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” That is not a call to switch from cigarettes to chewing gum. It is a divine mandate for spiritual rebirth, one that breaks the old nature and births a new creation entirely. As Paul affirms in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

The tragedy is that many pastors who shout about abstinence are themselves drowning in spiritual filth, manipulating congregants, hoarding wealth, engaging in tribal politics, and nursing unforgiveness. Some of them would not touch alcohol but would not hesitate to break a home or exploit the vulnerable. What hypocrisy!

Jesus warned about this kind of religious pretense in Matthew 23:25-26: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”

That warning might as well be addressed to today’s spiritual showmen, those who abstain from wine but are intoxicated with power, who avoid women but seduce followers with false prophecies and manipulated dreams. They have replaced the authentic gospel with a hollow performance.

Let us face it: even cultists and scammers can quit alcohol and womanizing. Some do it to maintain their edge. But salvation is not about changing habits for convenience; it is about changing allegiance, from self to Christ, from darkness to light.

In Nigeria, the “born again” label has become cosmetic. It is more about how you dress, how you sound when you pray, and whether you attend vigil or not. We now judge spirituality by appearance, not by fruit. Meanwhile, those who carry Bibles to the office still inflate contracts, collect bribes, and treat subordinates with disdain.

Some pastors go as far as policing appearances, monitoring skirt lengths and makeup shades, yet remain silent about gossip, unforgiveness, tribal hate, and political compromise within their own ranks. Is this the gospel of Christ or a man-made religion that only targets what the eyes can see?

If being born again does not affect how you treat your spouse, how you handle money, how you conduct business, or how you lead others, then you are not born again, you are just well-behaved.

It is time to confront self-acclaimed ministers of God and call them to accountability. The gospel must not be reduced to a three-point checklist of “I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, and I don’t womanize.” That is religion, not regeneration. That is morality, not spirituality.

Born againism must touch every sphere of a person’s life: how you think, how you forgive, how you speak, how you handle authority, and how you respond when no one is watching. It must reflect in your politics, your business, your family, and your daily conduct. Anything less is a poor imitation.

Philippians 2:5 charges believers: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” That is the ultimate benchmark. Not what you quit, but who you have become.

To every pastor and preacher who thinks abstaining from beer and sex makes one born again: you are leading people into deception. Preach Christ, not cosmetics. Teach transformation, not tradition. Point people to the cross, not a code of conduct.

Born againism is a divine encounter, not a checklist. It is time to return to the true gospel, deep, sincere, and life-altering.

And to the man or woman who claims to be born again yet is still full of pride, bitterness, and hypocrisy: stop fooling yourself. Real salvation changes the heart, not just the habits. So, let the Church wake up, and let the ministers stop lying to themselves.