By: Nana Kwasi Roka
FOUNDER and leader of the International Deliverance and Prayer Ministry (IDPM), Apostle Dr Paul Oko Hackman, has cautioned the youth against insulting, cursing and showing disrespect to people old enough to be their parents, warning that such behaviour contradicts biblical teachings and could attract serious consequences from God.
Preaching to his congregation during a Sunday service, Apostle Hackman drew inspiration from Proverbs 20:20, which states:
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” (King James Version).
He emphasised that the scripture serves as a solemn warning to those who habitually insult, dishonour or verbally abuse their parents and other people who deserve their respect, urging the youth to exercise restraint in their speech and conduct.
According to the Apostle, the principle of honouring one’s father and mother should not be restricted to biological parents but should also inform how young people relate to elderly persons, spiritual leaders and other authority figures.
Disrespect for Spiritual Fathers:
Apostle Hackman’s message is particularly relevant to the growing concerns about disrespect towards spiritual leaders, including pastors, apostles and other church leaders who are regarded as fathers within the Christian community.
He urged church members, including elders and other individuals entrusted with leadership responsibilities, to recognise the importance of treating their spiritual fathers with respect, regardless of disagreements or differences of opinion.
The message also presents a challenge to Christians who profess to follow biblical teachings but resort to insults, public ridicule and verbal attacks against their pastors and other church leaders whenever disagreements arise.
While acknowledging that church leaders are human and therefore, not beyond criticism, the biblical principle of honour requires that disagreements be handled with maturity, humility and decorum rather than through abusive language and deliberate humiliation.
Respect, the Apostle’s message underscores, should not be conditional on whether one agrees with another person’s position or decisions.
Political Insults Against National Leaders:
The sermon also carries a broader message for Ghana’s political environment, where public officials, including the President and ministers of state, are sometimes subjected to insults and personal attacks motivated by political rivalry, individual differences or dissatisfaction with government decisions.
In Ghanaian public discourse, national leaders are sometimes addressed as fathers, reflecting the expectation that those entrusted with leadership should be treated with a measure of dignity, even when their decisions are challenged.
Apostle Hackman’s message therefore offers an opportunity for reflection among young people who use social media and other public platforms to attack political leaders, sometimes without distinguishing legitimate criticism from personal abuse.
Although public officials must remain accountable to the people and open to scrutiny, accountability does not require insults, threats or the deliberate destruction of another person’s dignity.
Citizens have every right to question government policies, challenge decisions and demand explanations from public officeholders. However, such engagements can be conducted firmly and constructively without descending into personal abuse.
The Apostle’s message challenges the youth to recognise the difference between exercising their democratic rights and engaging in conduct that undermines civility and mutual respect.
Biblical Consequences of Dishonouring Parents
Beyond Proverbs 20:20, Apostle Hackman’s warning is reinforced by several other biblical passages that emphasize the importance of honouring parents and respecting authority.
Exodus 20:12 declares:
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (KJV).
The verse establishes honouring one’s parents as a divine commandment and associates obedience to that command with the promise of long life.
Similarly, Ephesians 6:1–3 instructs children to obey their parents in the Lord, describing this as right and reminding them of the commandment to honour their father and mother.
The passage further states that this commandment carries a promise: “That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”
These scriptures reinforce the biblical expectation that children should treat their parents with honour and respect.
Proverbs 20:20, meanwhile, uses the imagery of a lamp being extinguished in deep darkness to convey the gravity of cursing one’s father or mother. The verse warns of severe consequences, symbolising the loss of light, hope and well-being.
A Call for Self-Examination
Apostle Hackman’s sermon ultimately presents a challenge to the youth, church members, political activists and the wider public to examine their words and actions.
He urged young people to cultivate humility, self-discipline and respect in their relationships, recognising that differences in age, experience and responsibility should encourage thoughtful engagement rather than hostility.
The message also calls on church members to demonstrate the values they profess by treating their spiritual leaders with dignity, even when they have genuine concerns or disagreements.
Likewise, political supporters must learn to separate their loyalty to political parties from their responsibility to engage public affairs responsibly.
The central message is clear: criticism is not the same as disrespect, disagreement is not an excuse for abuse, and freedom of expression should be exercised with responsibility.
As Ghana continues to navigate political disagreements and changing social attitudes, Apostle Hackman’s warning serves as a timely reminder that respect, discipline and responsible speech remain essential to peaceful coexistence.
For the youth in particular, the challenge is to understand that words have consequences, relationships deserve careful handling and honouring parents and elders remains an important biblical principle.
As Proverbs 20:20 warns, those who curse their father or mother risk having their lamp extinguished in darkness – a powerful scriptural image urging everyone to reconsider the consequences of deliberate dishonour.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
