Founder and Presiding Bishop of Lighthouse Chapel International, Dag Heward-Mills, has warned critics that attacking a man of God comes with serious spiritual consequences—not from Jesus, but from the Holy Spirit.

In a fiery sermon delivered during a recent visit to Sierra Leone, Bishop Heward-Mills addressed the backlash over his comment that church musicians should not be paid.

He said those threatening him had crossed a spiritual line.

“The Holy Spirit is not like Jesus,” he said. “Jesus would tolerate many things, but the Holy Spirit does not. If you like, go and touch His anointed. You’ll see what happens to you.”

He dared anyone who felt emboldened enough to confront him physically.“Come and slap me and see if there is oil on your hand. You are finished if you touch the anointing.”

Dag Heward-Mills further described those who criticize men of God as “fools,” stressing that God's anointing is not placed on just anyone.

“God chooses whom to anoint. When you open your mouth to speak against someone He has chosen, you’re not dealing with a man, but the Holy Spirit,” he warned.

His comments follow a wave of criticism from netizens and public figures like music executive Bullgod, who described the bishop’s initial statement on not paying church musicians as “nonsense.” Bullgod questioned why church workers should not receive a share of church offerings for their contributions.

Despite the backlash, Bishop Heward-Mills appears unfazed, standing firm on his convictions and calling for reverence towards spiritual authority.