“After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the king’s servants, that were in the king’s gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. Esther 3:1-2, 5.
As I pursue the vision God has given me: raising Eagle Generations from one country to the other, on the platform of the International Gathering of Eagles, I’ve learnt some things that the Holy Spirit will want me to share with you. He packaged it around the story of Haman to help me have a better understanding.
What we describe as chicken mentality is taken from the concept of a chicken, that although it has feathers and wings, great natural qualities, it doesn’t fly like an eagle and soar in the sky. It looks down always, is fearful, not able to accomplish much because of some of its own intrinsic characteristics. Haman’s story is well known in the book of Esther.
We do not know about his upbringing, but from the scripture above, he has some great qualities that must have led to the king promoting him to the position of Vice- President or Prime Minister. Like Mitchell Obama said, presidency does not determine who you are it reveals who you are! The promotion of Haman revealed who he was. A man of chicken mentality. What did I learn on the field and how can it help you.
As I go from nation to nation, some ministers welcome me with pomp and pageantry. Some come with garlands to decorate me at the airport, children come to present flowers. Some take some lengthy hours to bring me to the podium. Some come with “big cars” to drive me from the airport to my hotel. There are also the hotels, from extreme low quality to seven-star hotels. In summary I receive respect, honour, praises and accolades. I always give all the glory and honour back to God and when all men are gone, I roll on the floor to acknowledge He who owns it all.
But I also notice in some places where I went, some people dishonour, disrespect, ignore, disdain and do some things obviously beyond presumption and prejudices. Sometimes I forget all I have come to do in that nation, all the great things God has done to lift me up, I will be thinking of those things and people that did the awful things rather than the awesome things. This was the chicken mentality of Haman; he also was consumed by the awful things instead of awesome things.
I came up with seven “awful” things classified as chicken mentality that Haman needed to overcome but he didn’t. You should get past them. In line with King Solomon’s KJV style of writing, there are six things (Chicken mentality), yeah seven that destroyed Haman: Wrath, Bitterness, Pride, Low- level thinking, Revenge, Ingratitude and Failure to repent.
1. Wrath. Wrath is a strong vengeful anger or indignation that expresses itself in a desire to punish someone. The scripture says in Esther 3:5 any time he notices that Mordecai did not bow he was full of wrath. Was Mordecai right not to bow, you judge, but should the failure of one gateman not bowing among thousands that are bowing cause your wrath to want to destroy him and the entire nation of The Jews? Wrath is rage. It is an emotion that is capable of destroying you and many. Do you know how many times you are overcome by wrath because of something you can easily ignore and have a great night but you do not sleep throughout the night planning how you will execute your wrath in the morning, to that your subordinate in the office, school, church, relations, society etc. Let it pass. It is chicken mentality.
2. Bitterness: Bitterness is defined as anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly. The truth remains that everyone in life will not sing your praise. Your lifting and promotion will cause some people to treat you unfairly. But it is a chicken mentality if you allow the root of bitterness to overtake you. When the devil wants to drag me to bitterness, I ask God to help me see those who are treating me “sweetly” and so I have a sound sleep in the night. Try it.
3. Pride. A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements. Haman forgot that it was God that lifted him up. I don’t know what you’ve achieved or will achieve, let it humble you rather than make you proud. When you think everyone should bow for you, you are in trouble. Everyone will not bow for you. You will see them in your church, organization, or country. Avoid the chicken mentality of pride, before it destroys you as it did for Haman.
4. Low- level Thinking. When you are preoccupied with the thoughts of “this one did not greet” you, no one called you on your birthday or someone in particular did not call you, “they” did not give you gift, or the quality of card/gift is demeaning, instead of thanking God for another birthday, you are revelling in chicken mentality. Switch your mode, begin to think of what you will do next year: the school you want to go or how to grow your business. Haman was not thinking of how to develop his nation! Is it always about the staff in your office that cheated you? the contractor who did not deliver? Move from low- level thinking to high level thinking: tasks of greater cognitive complexity such as creativity, critical thinking, problem solving, and effective communication and collaboration.
5. Revenge. The act of retaliating for wrongs or injury received. For how long will you spend your life scheming, strategizing like the brothers of Joseph to destroy the people who did you wrong? You are driving, God prevented you from having an accident, but you now continue in a rage to “deal” with the wrong driver! Realize that some people did not even know they have done you wrong, yet you are spending so many years plotting a revenge. It is called chicken mentality. Many marriages are destroyed because someone cannot forgive the spouse and he she is out to revenge. Haman was consumed in his revenge bid, and the man he was plotting against took his position. I am not writing to make you happy; I am writing to make you a better person, an eagle!
6. Ingratitude. Mordecai was an ingrate, very disrespectful, have no basis not to respect higher authority, but that someone is ungrateful is not a licence for you to be an ingrate yourself. Haman has so much to thank God for, but died an ingrate. When the devil is “showing me un-bowing Mordecai on my trip” I shift mode. There are many people we have lifted up in life, opened up our house for them to sleep and eat but they treat us shabbily when we get to their countries. Rather than dwell on that I see that God has chosen me to come to such country to preach his gospel, and I begin to appreciate God. In 2023 alone we have held the conference in eleven nations, that is what I allow to dominate my thoughts, so I wake up at 3am and begin to praise God. When the devil wants to shift you to ungrateful mode- let the Holy Spirit move you to high praise mode. On Dec 7 and Dec 11, I met and took pictures with the vice- chancellors of four great universities in Nigeria and donated my book “To The Rescue (Say No To Corruption)” to their institutions. I thank God for and focus on such. Think of how God lifted you up today and be grateful.
7. Failure to repent. Even the wife became a prophetess to warn him. He will not. To repent is to change the way you see things. Haman could have thought maybe it’s Mordecai’s culture that was his problem and let it go. Where do you need to change your perspective about some issues, do so. Your spouse offended you and you made up your mind you will divorce. That business is not going well you want to quit, that exam is tough you don’t want to take it again, ministry is tough, repent of that decision. The children of Israel offended God, and in anger he was going to destroy them and start another one through Moses, but Moses cried to God “stop it” God repented Ex 32. Where are you driving yourself to destruction, God is shouting through Pastor Dada – “Repent” You should repent. When Haman realized he was walking, shouting this is the man the king loves, before the horse-riding Mordecai, it should have been enough sign for him to re- think and repent. Failure to repent, especially about the salvation of your soul, is a chicken mentality.
Conclusion. Haman did not enjoy his position as a high ranking political figure of his days, his wife became a widow, his children who should be living at the “Babylonian White House “ enjoying flight in presidential fleet became fatherless and impoverished because of the chicken mentality of their father. Be warned!
