"Not everything is demonic": Cece Winans sparks controversy over Whitney Houston lyrics criticism

In a recent sermon, Cece Winans, the American gospel singer, revealed that she turned down the opportunity to feature in the video of her best friend, Whitney Houston's 1993 hit single I'm Every Woman.In her sermon, Winans preached about refraining from doing things that are deemed &quot;ungodly.&quot; To emphasize her point, the Believe For It singer gave an example of the time she refused to feature in Houston's video. She reasoned:&quot;When you think about how it was written, it’s a great song, but the lyrics don’t line up with the word of God.”She added that Houston knew that Cece would refuse the offer. Replying in the affirmative, she said:“It started off with ‘I can cast a spell’ I’m not singing that!&quot;Cece Winans continued to preach that people get so &quot;caught up in the beat&quot; that they don't realize what they're listening to and called it &quot;demonic.&quot;Her comments sparked controversy online, with a clear divide between those who supported her and those criticizing her. One user @kierasharice explained:A comment speaking against Cece's comments (Image via Instagram /@)Cece Winans took the line &quot;I can cast a spell...&quot; too literally&quot;: Netizens stand divided over singer's commentsAs news of Cece Winans's sermon spread, internet users took to social media to give their two cents on her comments. Two very distinct opinions were seen online, with one speaking against her conservative views and the other stating that Cece was not wrong.Those defending Whitney Houston commented on the gospel singer's taking the lyrics of the song too literally. They stated that she was &quot;deceiving listeners&quot; by producing her own narrative. Twitterati remarked that the song was meant to empower women and that the lyrics were metaphorical.An exasperated user, @thefineauthor, commented:&quot;My lord, it's a metaphor... Whitney was a devout Christain... overly sanctified ppl irk me so bad lord.&quot;A comment speaking against Cece's comments (Image via Instagram /@thefineauthor)Here are some comments online criticizing Cece Winans's comments:𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚌𝚊.@MJFINESSELOVER“I’m Every Woman” has a powerful message about women’s empowerment. I’m sorry, but Cece Winans took the line “I can cast a spell…” too literally. The song is not “demonic,” and Whitney wasn’t deceiving listeners with the production over a line she took way too literally. twitter.com/legendofnippy/…whit@legendofNippyI love cece winans but this ain’t it .50278I love cece winans but this ain’t it . https://t.co/DOuLTnM2B1“I’m Every Woman” has a powerful message about women’s empowerment. I’m sorry, but Cece Winans took the line “I can cast a spell…” too literally. The song is not “demonic,” and Whitney wasn’t deceiving listeners with the production over a line she took way too literally. twitter.com/legendofnippy/…Will Smith Slapped Me@AshleyShyMillerCece Winans and these other church folks who have been coming out lately with stupid rhetoric about &quot;secular&quot; music and people are so goddamn irritating and judgmental and the reason I don't do church. Y'ALL ARE NOT PERFECT NOR CLOSE TO BEING IT.7214Cece Winans and these other church folks who have been coming out lately with stupid rhetoric about &quot;secular&quot; music and people are so goddamn irritating and judgmental and the reason I don't do church. Y'ALL ARE NOT PERFECT NOR CLOSE TO BEING IT.Rachel.@_loveRachel_Cece Winans had no problem being in Trump’s $300M ads that were paid w/ cdc funds in the middle of the pandemic, but draws the morality line at Whitney Houston lyrics?! Chile.. twitter.com/legendofnippy/…whit@legendofNippyI love cece winans but this ain’t it .132I love cece winans but this ain’t it . https://t.co/DOuLTnM2B1Cece Winans had no problem being in Trump’s $300M ads that were paid w/ cdc funds in the middle of the pandemic, but draws the morality line at Whitney Houston lyrics?! Chile.. twitter.com/legendofnippy/…annoyed@alwaysannoyed87Love her… but y’all can interpret a text that was written second and third hand and burned and re interpreted but you couldn’t see “I can cast a spell” written as a metaphor? Like really? So we interpret one and take the other literal? Really @cecewinans 🤷🏾&zwj;♂️🤦🏾&zwj;♂️ twitter.com/legendofnippy/…whit@legendofNippyI love cece winans but this ain’t it .32I love cece winans but this ain’t it . https://t.co/DOuLTnM2B1Love her… but y’all can interpret a text that was written second and third hand and burned and re interpreted but you couldn’t see “I can cast a spell” written as a metaphor? Like really? So we interpret one and take the other literal? Really @cecewinans 🤷🏾&zwj;♂️🤦🏾&zwj;♂️ twitter.com/legendofnippy/…A comment speaking against Cece's comments (Image via Instagram /@iamsodeelishs)A comment speaking against Cece's comments (Image via Instagram /@puffdaddyson)The other half of Twitter supported the 58-year-old. They remarked that Cece was right in her belief and that she had a right to express them. Some stated that while Houston's video was released, it would have been too risky for her career.User @defclubmix summarized this in their comment:&quot;Y'all have to let people have their beliefs. Cece Winans wasn't attacking anyone, she was talking about how the song didn't align with her belief and that's fine.&quot;Butterfly 25 🦋@defclubmix@legendofNippy Y'all have to let people have their beliefs. Cece Winans wasn't attacking anyone, she was talking about how the song didn't align with her beliefs and that's fine.52@legendofNippy Y'all have to let people have their beliefs. Cece Winans wasn't attacking anyone, she was talking about how the song didn't align with her beliefs and that's fine.Here are some comments defending Cece:Original Player of Baldheaded Games@Fly4aRyeGuyY’all coming on here with #CeceWinans slander and I won’t hear it. She ain’t say anything wrong…197Y’all coming on here with #CeceWinans slander and I won’t hear it. She ain’t say anything wrong… https://t.co/fDYmYXmHgWAggie@KissMyAggieThe only thing that the Cece Winans video “proves” to me is that she is—and HAS been—consistent in her faith. A great example of the very thing that people love about you is the same thing that’ll make them hate you.1The only thing that the Cece Winans video “proves” to me is that she is—and HAS been—consistent in her faith. A great example of the very thing that people love about you is the same thing that’ll make them hate you.TROO_TazzyBOIII@TROO_TazzyBOIIIi just peeped that they are trying to slam @cecewinans for explaining why she decided not to be in #Whitneyhouston video. i am appalled by how people are willing to defend so quickly when their favorite artist gets called out about something 🤦🏿&zwj;♂️ i haven't given up on humans yet!i just peeped that they are trying to slam @cecewinans for explaining why she decided not to be in #Whitneyhouston video. i am appalled by how people are willing to defend so quickly when their favorite artist gets called out about something 🤦🏿&zwj;♂️ i haven't given up on humans yet!A comment speaking for Cece's comments (Image via Instagram /@deejthegreat)A comment speaking for Cece's comments (Image via Instagram /@jovontapatton)A comment speaking for Cece's comments (Image via Instagram /@keppingit.kellz)A comment speaking for Cece's comments (Image via Instagram /@jackmyvibesz)Cece Winans and Whitney Houston were great friends and shared their love for Church and gospel music. Houston was a fan of the former's work and approached her following the 1987 NACCP Image Awards.Whitney eventually made the video for the song with Chaka Khan and TLC.