Evangelist Helen Akpabio Condemns the Phrase "Happy Birthday," Calls It Modern Day Idolatry

 Evangelist Helen Akpabio Condemns the Phrase "Happy Birthday," Calls It Modern Day Idolatry

Evangelist Helen Akpabio, a well-known Nigerian preacher, has ignited fresh controversy among Christians and social media users after declaring that saying “happy birthday” is spiritually problematic and rooted in what she terms "modern day idolatry." In her impassioned sermon delivered to her congregation, Akpabio emphasized that she personally avoids celebrating her birthday in the traditional way and denounced the language used during such celebrations as "the language of the devil."

Rejecting Secular Celebrations

“I’m not somebody that does birthday every year, every year, every year, like zombie,” she said, expressing strong disapproval of what she views as a mechanical, worldly tradition. “I don’t sell out my soul to Satan like that. I don’t use the language of the devil.”

Akpabio made it clear that instead of the conventional "happy birthday," she prefers terms that center gratitude to God. “You won’t see 'birthday' there,” she said. “You’ll see ‘thanking God at 60’. It’s you people that are saying ‘happy birthday’.”

A Critique of Church Practices

One of her most controversial remarks was directed toward fellow Christians who sing the traditional "Happy Birthday" song in church. According to her, such practices violate the sanctity of the altar and draw attention away from God.

“People stand on the altar of God singing ‘happy birthday to you’—what are you doing? Who taught you that? Where did it come from?” she asked, visibly disturbed. She described these acts as subtle forms of idol worship that Christians engage in unknowingly.

A Call to Spiritual Discernment

Akpabio warned Christians to evaluate every word and ritual before engaging in them. She argued that even well-meaning intentions like expressing gratitude can be twisted when cloaked in secular language.

“Christians have to vet everything before they say it,” she cautioned. “Otherwise, people will turn your good intent of thanksgiving to another intent of honoring the day.”

To her, the idea of assigning special significance to the day of one's birth detracts from the worship of Christ. “Nobody has right to the day,” she added emphatically. “Every day belongs to Jesus.”

“Happy Thanksgiving,” Not “Happy Birthday”

In place of the birthday greeting, Akpabio proposes "happy thanksgiving" as a more biblically aligned expression. According to her, this shift of language keeps the focus on God, rather than on the individual or the concept of the day itself.

“All these things are idolatry,” she said. “Satan giving us a language. And the Bible says, don’t speak their language, don’t mention the name of their god, don’t share in their ceremonies.”

This perspective, she claims, aligns better with Scripture and reflects a more accurate form of Christian devotion.

Mixed Reactions from the Public

Unsurprisingly, Akpabio’s statements have caused widespread reactions across social media. While some believers have agreed with her and praised her for “exposing hidden traps” in Christian traditions, many others have dismissed her views as extreme and unnecessarily rigid.

Critics argue that celebrating birthdays is simply a form of expressing gratitude to God for the gift of life, and that condemning it reflects a misunderstanding of cultural context rather than spiritual discernment.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote:

“With all due respect to Evangelist Akpabio, celebrating birthdays is not demonic. It’s about thanking God for another year of life. Everything doesn’t have to be spiritual warfare.”

Others have asked for scriptural backing for her claims, questioning where in the Bible birthday celebrations are explicitly forbidden or connected to idolatry.

A Broader Debate Within Christianity

Akpabio's views are not entirely new in evangelical and Pentecostal circles. There have long been pockets of Christian believers who question the validity of holidays, birthdays, and even traditional wedding ceremonies. These critiques are often rooted in concerns over pagan origins, cultural syncretism, or fear of unintentionally exalting the self over God.

However, most mainstream Christian denominations accept birthday celebrations as harmless expressions of gratitude and community. Many churches even host celebratory prayers for members on their special day, incorporating songs, gifts, and testimonies.

Language and Worship: Where Is the Line?

The heart of Helen Akpabio’s argument lies in the language used during Christian worship. To her, words are not just symbols; they are spiritual weapons or traps, capable of redirecting reverence from God to self or to worldly systems.

“The Bible says, don’t speak their language,” she emphasized. “Don’t mention the name of their god. Don’t share in their ceremonies.”

This interpretation is drawn from verses in the Old Testament, particularly in Deuteronomy and Exodus, where God instructs the Israelites not to adopt the customs of neighboring pagan nations.

Still, applying these verses to modern birthday greetings remains a point of contention.

Is It Just Semantics?

Some theologians argue that changing “happy birthday” to “happy thanksgiving” is merely a semantic shift that doesn’t address the core issue—intention. If the heart behind the greeting is sincere gratitude to God, they argue, then the words are secondary.

Others feel that Akpabio’s criticism might stem from a deeper concern about how modern Christians often mirror secular practices without question.

A Matter of Personal Conviction?

Ultimately, the issue may come down to personal conviction. While Akpabio has made her position clear, it remains up to individual believers and their church communities to determine how they engage with birthdays and other celebratory traditions.

As with many topics in Christianity—from attire and music to holidays and social media—nuance, discernment, and scriptural literacy are key.

Final Thoughts

Helen Akpabio’s challenge to the use of “happy birthday” in Christian circles may seem radical to some, but it raises an important question about how language shapes worship. Whether one agrees with her or not, the debate forces believers to reflect on the words they use and the traditions they follow.

In a world where culture often blends with faith, Akpabio’s warning serves as a reminder to stay vigilant, intentional, and rooted in Scripture—even in the small things, like the phrases we say on someone’s birthday.