Men of God popularly known and regarded to as Pastors all over the world are often accorded a different type of profiling, one which involves a high level of expectations from the members of the general public irrespective of religious affiliations to be an embodiment of good virtues leading an exemplary lifestyle and not easily given to succumb to provocations. Based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, one who the religion Christianity is fashioned after, it is often expected of them to walk the surface of the earth blameless, without reproach and to be considered or regarded by many as the perfect example for the Christian religious adherents who earnestly follows them even as they follow Jesus according to the traditions ad cores of the Christian faith.
However, in the midst of these tall expectations from all and sundry it must be acknowledged that they are first men before becoming men of God and just like everyone of us, they are humans with blood and waters following in their veins.
Recently the Nigerian socio-religious circles were thrown into a frenzy as the founder and senior Pastor of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt, David Ibiyeomie threatened was involved in a public fracas with popular On Air Personality Daddy Freeze,
According to the reports, it was stated that the Founder and Senior Pastor of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt, David Ibiyeomie, threatened to arrest, jail, and kill ace broadcaster, Daddy Freeze, for ‘insulting’ Bishop David Oyedepo.
It was revealed that Pastor Oyedepo in an Instagram post had made a post where he stated that wives in their respective marriages must be submissive to their husbands as total submission of the wives in marriages is the only way to having a fruitful marriage, Pastor Oyedepo also added that until it is in place, every other thing she tries to do will be out of place. A woman who refuses to submit to her husband is disobeying God.As a woman, you might even be a minister of the gospel, and your husband is not, the word of God still says submit yourself to him. A submissive woman is precious in the sight of her husband – [Ephesians 5:22.]
In response to this post made by Pastor Oyedepo, it was reported that Daddy Freeze had countered this statement made by Pastor Oyedepo as he fired back by saying that the fact that the Pastor Oyedepo has been married for over 30 years does not imply that he is an expert when it comes to marriage issues, adding that a prisoner who has been locked up behind bars is still not an expert on the penitentiary system.
Furthermore, Daddy Freeze stated that the point that you are single, separated, or divorced doesn’t debar you from giving matrimonialguidance, explaining that the Apostle Paul and Christ gave most of the New Testament advice on marriage and neither was married.
He concluded that many Christians are suffering in silence as they are only enduring their marriages while many pastors too are suffering in silence
The Cool FM broadcaster, Daddy Freeze is popularly known across the nation for his various controversial positions on various religious topics which has in recent times pitched him against various religious figures in the nation. For example, his stands on tithing and offerings and some other religious issues has often mad people question his authority to question and talk about these various religious topics.
Reacting to the statement issued out by Daddy Freeze regarding the post of Pastor Oyedepo on wives submitting to their husband, Pastor David Ibiyeomie expressing his displeasure and out right anger at Daddy Freeze stated that he would not tolerate such actions against someone who he considers his spiritual father, explaining that he would take no such action from anyone while he is alive.
He warned Daddy Freeze to desist from such act and his failure to do so will resort to him making sure that he put an end to him, in his words, “Tell Daddy Freeze, the day I hear him talk about my daddy again if I don’t finish him. Insult me, I wouldn’t mind but insult Oyedepo, that bastard.”
In what many has find unwarranted and totally uncalled for, Pastor David Ibiyeomie not only called Daddy Freeze a bastard but also dragged his family into it by pointing out that Daddy Freeze is born by a non-Nigerian. In his words “Any day I hear him talk about Oyedepo, do they know his father? Does Daddy Freeze have a father? That half-caste that is born by a Somalian.The day I hear him insult Oyedepo again, I will deal with him. Who gave birth to him? If he has a father let him show us his father’s picture.”
While many Nigerians has taken to the pages of the social message to express their take on this issue as they point blames on both sides, it is pertinent to acknowledge the fact that while Daddy Freeze might have overstepped his boundary with his controversial statements which anyways by the Nigerian religious laws gives him a right to state his religious opinions inasmuch as he does not instigate violence, Pastor David Ibiyeomie must come to understand the respect that comes with his position as a man of God and the place of his office. While he is considered as a spiritual leader, he is also considered as an exemplary figure who must not give or succumb to his emotions to get the better of him.
While Daddy Freeze has been noted for his several controversial utterances against the church, the church and its various religious leaders and followers must ensure that it does not shoot itself in the leg by violating the teachings and cores of their religion which preaches peace with all men. They must ensure that in all quarters, they uphold to the letter the edicts of the church as revealed in the bible which was given by Christ. The principle of tolerance must be shown in their engagement with not only people of their faith but also the ones who according to their beliefs are outside the confines of their faith.
By Marcus Amudipe