The Open Heaven 16 September 2025 devotional for today is MERE CRITIC OR ACTIVIST WITH SOLUTIONS.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVEN 16 SEPTEMBER 2025 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: MERE CRITIC OR ACTIVIST WITH SOLUTIONS
MEMORISE:
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Matthew 10:16
READ: 1 Kings 17:1-16:
1 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.
2 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.
7 And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.
8 And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying,
9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.
11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.
12 And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.
13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
14 For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.
15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
16 And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.
RCCG OPEN HEAVEN 16 SEPTEMBER 2025 TODAY MESSAGE
It is commonly said that statues are never built in honour of critics. While it is not bad to criticise people who are not doing what they ought to be doing, you must not just stop there.
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word 1 Kings 17:1.
In the Scripture above, we see that Elijah started out as a critic. The king wasn’t behaving in the right manner, and just like any critic, Elijah walked into the palace and confronted him. However, he didn’t stop there; he moved on to become a vessel that God used to provide for the needs of a poor widow and her son (1 Kings 17:8-16).
Would you rather become a mere critic or an activist whom God will use to put solutions forward? Would you be content with only carrying placards and protesting or also becoming so wealthy that you can feed the hungry?
Carrying placards and protesting will attract the attention of the people you are criticising. However, beyond that, you must grow to a point where you can recommend and even provide some of the solutions you are demanding. Don’t just become a critic that challenges those in authority; grow to the point where your impact cannot be ignored.
This message is particularly for youths. They should learn from Moses who thought he could fulfil his destiny his own way, and as a result, he had to stay in the wilderness for another 40 years until he was ready. The positive change you want can happen, but you must be wise enough to let it happen in God’s way.
Matthew 10:16 says, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
Christians need to be as strategic as serpents. The most dangerous thing about a serpent is its silence when it wants to attack its prey. When it attacks, the prey only realises it when it is already too late.
Beloved, be wise. God has a great destiny for you, but you must not let overzealousness prevent you from fulfilling your destiny. Rather than just being a mere noisemaker, increase your capacity so that you can indeed become a force to be reckoned with. Your zeal should be matched with the right knowledge and actions (Romans 10:1-2).
KEY POINT
Don’t just criticise things or people; become a part of the solution you desire to see.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Hosea 10-14
HYMN 59: I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 16 SEPTEMBER 2025 COMMENTARY
MEMORISE: Matthew 10:16 (KJV)
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”
This instruction from Jesus acknowledges the reality of opposition (“wolves”) faced by His followers. The call to be “harmless as doves” speaks to maintaining pure motives and a Christ-like character. The command to be “wise as serpents” is a charge to be shrewd, strategic, and discerning—to understand the times and operate with heavenly intelligence to achieve divine objectives.
BIBLE READING: 1 Kings 17:1-16 (KJV)
This passage showcases the evolution of a critic into a solution-provider. Elijah begins by confronting King Ahab with a word of judgment (v.1)—a critical act. However, he doesn’t remain in that mode. God immediately leads him into a season of hiding and preparation by the Brook Cherith (v.2-7) and then to the widow of Zarephath (v.8-16). There, his prophetic word becomes a creative miracle, providing sustained provision and life during a famine. His criticism was validated by his constructive action.
From Criticism to Constructive Action
Daddy Adeboye makes a crucial distinction that is highly relevant in today’s world of social media commentary and protests. It is not wrong to be a critic—to identify and speak against what is evil or dysfunctional, as Elijah did with Ahab. However, the spiritual maturity and greater impact lie in moving from identifying problems to implementing solutions. The devotional challenges believers, particularly youths, to not settle for being mere “noisemakers” who only carry placards, but to grow into “activists” whom God uses to provide tangible answers.
The Danger of Unstrategic Zeal
The message uses the example of Moses’ first attempt to deliver Israel (Exodus 2:11-15) as a warning. His zeal was right, but his method—acting in his own strength and timing—was foolish and cost him 40 years in the wilderness. This illustrates the difference between zeal with knowledge and zeal without knowledge (Romans 10:2). Unstrategic, emotional zeal can delay or derail destiny. True change must happen “in God’s way,” which often requires patience, preparation, and divine strategy.
The Serpent’s Wisdom: Strategic Impact
The call to be “wise as serpents” is unpacked as a call to strategic, impactful living. The serpent’s wisdom lies in its silence and precision before it strikes. The interpretation for the believer is not about being malicious but about being strategically silent until the time for action is right, and then moving with decisive, God-ordained precision. This means:
- Building Capacity First: Instead of just protesting hunger, become so skilled, anointed, and resourceful that you can actually feed the hungry (like Elijah with the widow).
- Choosing Battles Wisely: Not every wrong requires a public confrontation. Some require quiet prayer, strategic planning, and building influence until you are in a position to effect real change.
- Letting Actions Speak Louder: Becoming a “force to be reckoned with” through demonstrable competence and Spirit-led solutions, making your impact undeniable.
The Ultimate Goal: God-Glorifying Change
The underlying motive for this transition from critic to solution-bearer is the glory of God. Mere criticism often draws attention to the critic and the problem. Divine solutions draw attention to God’s power and goodness. Elijah’s miracle at Zarephath didn’t just feed a family; it showcased the sovereignty and provision of the God of Israel to a pagan region. Our constructive actions should ultimately point people to Christ.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I have been content to only criticize without seeking to be part of the solution. Fill me with Your wisdom, making me ‘wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.’ Deliver me from unstrategic zeal that operates in the flesh. Holy Spirit, guide me into seasons of preparation and show me how to build my capacity. Use me not just to identify problems, but to provide God-ordained solutions that meet needs and glorify Your name. Let my life be a force for constructive, kingdom advancement. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Action Steps:
- Identify Your Critique: What issue in your family, church, community, or nation stirs righteous anger in you? This is a clue to your assignment.
- Shift from Problem to Project: Instead of just talking about the problem, ask God: “What is one practical, small step I can take to be part of the solution?”
- Invest in Capacity Building: What skill, knowledge, or resource do you need to address this issue effectively? Commit to learning, studying, or saving towards it.
- Embrace Strategic Silence: Practice discernment. Before speaking out on an issue, pray for God’s strategy and timing. Sometimes the most powerful action is quiet preparation.
- Seek a Mentor: Find someone who is effectively creating change in an area you care about and learn from their wisdom and experience.
Remember: Statues are built for solution-providers, not just critics. God is calling you beyond the palace of criticism to the brook of preparation and the house of manifestation. Your destiny is not to just point out the famine but to become a channel of God’s provision in the midst of it. Let your zeal be matched with wisdom, and your criticism be eclipsed by your constructive contribution.
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