Two Powerful Unforgettable Lessons I Learned from Late Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai
The passing of Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai left an unfillable void in the hearts of many who encountered his ministry. To me, he was not just a preacher of the Word — he was a divine teacher of practical Christianity. His life and teachings radiated power, humility, and wisdom.
Among the many truths I gained through his sermons, meetings, and books, two lessons remain deeply engraved in my heart — they are life-changing principles that have continued to guide my spiritual journey and my relationship with others.
They are:
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The Power of Positive Confession, and
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How to Be Friendly with All Kinds of People Without Losing Your God-Given Anointing.
Let me share how these two lessons transformed my thinking, my faith, and my daily walk with God.
Lesson One: The Power of Positive Confession
Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai often said, “A closed mouth is a closed destiny.” The first time I heard him say this, it sounded simple — even ordinary. But as I listened deeper, I realized he was teaching something profoundly spiritual: your words shape your world.
He taught that faith is not complete until it speaks. No matter how much you believe in your heart, if your mouth doesn’t agree with your belief, your faith remains powerless. According to him, “Confession is the bridge between your belief and your miracle.”
The Spiritual Foundation of Positive Confession
Dr. Umah Ukpai would often draw our attention to Proverbs 18:21:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”
He explained that the words we speak are not mere sound waves — they are spiritual forces that can build or destroy destinies. Every time you speak, you either give life to your future or bury it prematurely.
He gave examples of how Jesus used words to command healing, cast out demons, and calm storms. If Jesus — the Son of God — needed to speak His miracles into existence, then we too must never underestimate the creative power of our tongues.
How This Lesson Changed My Life
Before I embraced this truth, I often found myself saying negative things unconsciously — “I’m tired,” “This country is too hard,” “Maybe I’m not destined to succeed,” "This want to kill me", and so on.
But after sitting under the teachings of Rev. Umah Ukpai, though not face to face, I learned to guard my mouth like a spiritual gate.
Now, I wake up every morning and speak life into my day:
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“Today, I walk in divine favor.”
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“No weapon formed against me shall prosper.”
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“I am a success and not a failure.”
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“I am strong, healthy, and blessed.”
"I shall no die like an ordinary man."
These confessions didn’t just change how I spoke; they changed how I believed, how I acted, and how I saw myself.
Rev. Umah Ukpai taught that heaven only confirms what your mouth declares in faith. If you keep silent, even God has nothing to confirm.
He made me to realize that; “God cannot bless a mouth that curses itself.”
That truth broke me. I realized that every time I spoke defeat, I was unknowingly cancelling my prayers. From that moment, I made it my daily habit to speak faith-filled words, even when my situation looked hopeless.
The Miracle Power of the Tongue
Dr. Umah Ukpai once shared how he prayed for a woman who was medically barren. Instead of focusing on her medical reports, he told her to begin confessing her fruitfulness every morning.
Months later, she returned with tears of joy, holding her baby. She said, “Daddy, I kept saying what you told me, and God did it.”
That story reinforced one of his favorite quotes:
“God cannot be limited by your situation, but He can be limited by your confession.”
This became one of the most unforgettable lessons of my life — that my words must align with God’s Word if I want to see divine results.
Positive confession is not wishful thinking. It’s not about denying reality — it’s about declaring God’s truth over reality until reality bows to His Word.
Lesson Two: How to Be Friendly with All Kinds of People Without Losing Your God-Given Anointing
The second unforgettable lesson I learned from Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai is the art of spiritual balance — how to relate with people from all walks of life while maintaining your spiritual integrity.
Though I'm not a member of his fellowship, but he made me to understand that; “If your anointing makes you proud or distant, it is not from God.”
To him, ministry was people, not position. He believed that a true servant of God must be approachable, loving, and kind — yet firm enough not to compromise the anointing.
The Wisdom of Being Friendly
Dr. Umah Ukpai had a rare ability to connect with anyone — rich or poor, educated or uneducated, believer or skeptic. Yet, he never allowed any relationship to corrupt his spiritual values.
He taught that love is a universal language that can open doors where titles cannot. Being friendly doesn’t mean agreeing with everyone; it means showing Christ through your attitude.
He also made me to understand that; “You can’t win souls for Christ by judging them. You win them by loving them.”
This lesson taught me that Christianity is not isolation — it’s interaction with purpose. The more you shine your light, the more you’ll attract those living in darkness. But you must remain rooted in your calling, so that their darkness doesn’t quench your light.
How I Applied This Lesson
I used to be very cautious — even distant — with people I thought were not “spiritual enough.” I feared that their habits or conversations might contaminate my faith.
But through the teachings of Rev. Umah Ukpai, I learned that true holiness is not withdrawal; it’s influence.
He made me understand that the Holy Spirit is not fragile. You don’t lose your anointing by sitting among sinners — you lose it when you compromise your identity in Christ.
So I began to smile more. I started talking to people I once avoided. I offered help where I could. I learned to listen without judging.
And something beautiful happened — people began to see Christ in me without me even preaching.
That was when I realized that friendliness is a tool of evangelism. The love of Christ is most powerful when expressed through simple acts of kindness and genuine friendship.
Boundaries that Protect the Anointing
Rev. Umah Ukpai also warned that friendliness should not mean spiritual carelessness.
He said, “You can be open-hearted without being open-minded to sin.”
To preserve your anointing:
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Choose your inner circle wisely. Not everyone deserves access to your private space.
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Keep your prayer life alive. The more time you spend with God, the more you’ll recognize negative influences.
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Be guided by the Holy Spirit. He will teach you when to engage and when to withdraw.
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Stay humble but firm. Don’t compromise your convictions to please people.
This balance between openness and holiness is what made Rev. Umah Ukpai’s life so impactful. He mingled with presidents and peasants, but his anointing remained intact.
He lived out the words of Jesus:
“Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)
My Reflection: A Legacy That Still Speaks
Even though Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai is no longer physically with us, his voice still echoes through his teachings.
Whenever I face challenges, I remember his smile and his words:
“Never speak defeat when you can confess victory.”
“You can be friendly with all and still remain on fire for God.”
Those lessons are no longer mere principles to me — they have become pillars of my faith journey.
They remind me daily that the anointing grows stronger through love and confession.
That words are seeds, and that relationships are ministry.
Final Thoughts: Living What I Learned
The world today is filled with negativity, division, and doubt. But the two lessons I learned from Rev. Umah Ukpai remain powerful solutions:
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Confess positively — shape your world with your words.
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Love freely — be friendly with all without compromising your anointing.
These are not just spiritual theories. They are keys to a victorious Christian life.
Every morning, I remind myself that my mouth and my heart are the two tools God gave me to change my destiny and influence others.
So, I will keep speaking life. I will keep showing love. I will keep living out the legacy of a man who taught me that Christianity is not religion — it is relationship.
✨ In Memory of My spiritual mentor, friend and father, Rev. Dr. Umah Ukpai (1945–2025)
A man of faith, humility, and wisdom — your words still breathe life into generations. Your lessons live on in us.
Thanks for reading my blog;
If you have learn't any great lesson from this great man of God, please share with me on the comment section, let's appreciated God on his behalf.
Death! I'm Very Much Disappointed On You...
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