Senior Pastor of Celebration Church International, Emmanuel Iren, has advised Christian women to place their husbands above every other man in their lives, stressing that spiritual leadership should never replace marital commitment.
The Nigerian cleric gave the counsel during a recent church service, where he addressed what he described as common but harmful misunderstandings about priorities within marriage.
According to Pastor Iren, some married women unintentionally create tension in their homes by placing their pastors in positions that should naturally belong to their spouses. He noted that such misplaced loyalty can weaken trust and emotional security in marriage.
He highlighted certain behaviours—such as using a pastor’s photograph as a display picture on mobile phones or social media—as examples of actions that communicate the wrong message about affection and devotion.
Pastor Iren explained that a woman’s love and commitment are often revealed through the choices she makes and the value she places on her husband. In his view, genuine affection should be clearly reflected in everyday conduct, not just in words.
He further observed that men are usually perceptive about how they are treated and can easily sense when their position in their wife’s life is being undermined or threatened by external influences.
While acknowledging the importance of honouring spiritual leaders, the pastor stressed that such respect must be balanced and never allowed to overshadow marital responsibility. He maintained that for a marriage to remain stable and healthy, a husband must always occupy the foremost place in his wife’s life.
The message has since sparked conversations online, with many agreeing with the call for clear boundaries, while others continue to debate the balance between spiritual devotion and marital commitment.
Watch the video below
"Watch how your woman prioritizes you, that shows how much she truly loves you. Some women are the reason some men don’t like pastors. Tell me, as a woman, why would you put a pastor’s picture on your profile when you have a husband?"
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) January 31, 2026
—Pastor Emmanuel Iren. pic.twitter.com/r0Bt5wjkZf
