Behind The Mask: Masquerading in love for God

A review of Iyabo Oyewole’s book, Behind The Mask by Babalola Oluwafemi

The book, Behind The Mask, is a fiction but true spiritual searchlight for every believer. It is a 150-page book with nine chapters.

The story is about two major characters, Kolade and Toyin. Kolade is a devoted, anointed and celebrated music director. He is a symbol of an outstanding leader by human standard. He leads, trains and organizes the choir in an exceptional manner. Though he displays godliness, he, however, lives a double life.

While he seeks self-glory, he is covetous, deceitful and adulterous, to a point of committing murder. He struggles with his weaknesses, fails in his attempt to cover his sins, seeks for help where there is none for deliverance at his drowning time, but loses almost everything.

Ironically, Kolade is blessed with a wonderful wife, Fadeke, who has a forgiving spirit, while she handles the situation of her husband’s deceitfulness and infidelity with caution.

Eventually, Kolade realizes his frailty, turns from his evil ways and repents with the help of his pastor.

The pastor deserves accolades as he handles Kayode’s matter carefull with the understanding of the scripture.

Here, the pastor uses the Bible verse, Galatians 6 verse 1: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

Pastor Joseph is a true shepherd who realizes nothing is gained at the fall of any brethren; he is always ready to assist others who have fallen in their walk with God to stand on their feet again.

When others are overtaken in a fault, we should see it as an opportunity to reexamine ourselves, rather than being judgmental. We should help in restoring them.

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As priests, we should be more conscious about the state of the flocks from time to time, not about activities or our self-pleasing service. It is very important to pay attention to the sheep, just like Jesus told Peter, ‘Look after my sheep.”

Toyin is another lead character in the story, who is raised by a devoted and godly mother, Mrs Williams. Toyin’s mother, despite being spiritual, is yet to convert her husband, who is a realist, to the Lord. The parents live apart by virtue of work and only see each other on a weekend in two months due to distance.  They, however, raise their children in a lovely and godly environment.

Toyin is loved by many because she is dutiful and zealous about kingdom service. Many parents use her commitment and her (feigned) love for God to admonish their children.

Toyin’s love for God is only on her lips and not in her heart. Her mother’s spiritualism did not have any impact on her, as she is deceitful, shallow in spiritual matters, immoral and a pretender.

She is in an ungodly sexual relationship with Kolade, and even became pregnant for him. However, when her mother discovers she is pregnant, she said she would rather face the shame than face God. She, therefore, insists her daughter will not have an abortion, and she is supported by her husband.

Unfortunately, Toyin agrees to Kolade’s pressure to have an abortion against her parents’ decision, and she dies in the process.

The story shows why it is important parents watch over their children, while ensuring they also have sex education.

While Toyin easily deceived her mother with her spiritual activities, the mother didn’t take out time to study whether her daughter truly loves the Lord from her heart.

The story reflects the hypocritical life of many, especially those who hide the guise of service and hypocrisy to perpetrate ungodliness.

The author, Iyabo Oyewole, is a chartered architect. She obtained her first and second degrees in Architecture from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.