DO WE REALLY NEED SPIRITUAL FATHERS?

Part 1

Have you ever asked yourself the following questions: 

• “Do I really need a spiritual father”?
• “Is spiritual fatherhood even Biblical”?
• “What is spiritual fatherhood”? 
• “What purpose does a spiritual father serve?” 
• “How do I benefit from having a spiritual father”?

This article serves to answer these questions.

Before we get started on speaking about spiritual fatherhood, we first need to have revelation and understanding of God as a Father.

In Ephesians 3:14-15 we read “For this reason I bow my knees to the father of our Lord Jesus Christ from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is made”

This scripture tells us that fatherhood never began on earth, it originated in Heaven, which means all fatherhood goes back to the fatherhood of God - fatherhood is eternal and there is a direct connection between family and fatherhood.

John 1:1 tells us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”, 

This means the Lord Jesus Christ was with the Father even before the foundations of the world was set in place and there was a relationship even before creation began.

WHO IS GOD THE FATHER?

• He is our protector
• In times of adversity, He gives us security, covering and refuge
• He gave us His genes, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, so we are more than conquerors
• He gives us strength from day to day
• He believes in us, speaks highly of us and never gives up on us
• He is our provider
• He is the One who disciplines us when we rebel
• He transmits Himself into us, so that we can carry out the calling that He has entrusted to us.

The way God reveals the above attributes to us is by appointing good spiritual fathers, whom He has entrusted with the gift of fatherhood. God will express His Father’s heart through those whom He has called to father.

God will always exercise His authority, change people’s lives, heal the sick, set free those in bondage and shepherd the church through His people.

A SPIRITUAL FATHER WILL ACTIVATE THE FOLLOWING:

1. IDENTITY:

A spiritual father will help you to recognise and unlock what you carry spiritually and will train and equip you in how to function in your calling and purpose.

A spiritual father will accomplish this by being a “cultivator” and an “endorser”.

• A Cultivator:

“A cultivator improves the quality of something so that something greater can be produced.”

• Makes things fruitful and improves on what he receives. A cultivator does not just maintain what was placed under their care but constantly improves on it.
• Cultivates the gifts and talents of his children.
• Leads his children to discover and develop their purpose, calling and destiny in God.

• An Endorser:

“An endorser puts their full weight behind someone or something in order to back it up fully.”

• Adds value and identity to his children,
• Activated boldness and confidence,
• Affirms the value of his children, constantly encourages them to do something meaningful and ensures them that their lives are worthy.

When we are transformed into new creatures through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Father fills us with self-worth and identity, we become sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father and that is our worth.

God our Father has bought us with the blood of His only begotten Son – this makes us extremely valuable.

God will use a spiritual father to activate that worth in His children and to help them understand their worth by investing time, money, training and wisdom into their lives.

2. SELF WORTH:

There are so many who do not know what they carry and all they need is a little guidance in the right direction.  Because of lack of mentorship we fail at many things and we begin to feel that we are not good enough and that we will never amount to anything – this in turn severely damages our self-worth, all because of lack of knowledge.

In 1John 3:1 we read, “Behold, what manner of love the father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God”

A spiritual father will reveal this love to you, by constantly believing in you, relating to you, encouraging you, helping you break through boundaries and limitations, so that you can reach greater heights.

A spiritual father is the one that establishes confidence in you, and your self-worth will increase when you hear him say, 

• “I believe in you”, 
• “You can reach for our dreams”, 
• “You have purpose”,
• “I will support you”

These affirmations raises our confidence and confidence is the one of the key ingredients that will birth success.

3. PROTECTION:

Protection covers 3 key areas which children need: 

• Security

The safest place for a child to be is close to a father. The security a father offers is what will affirm the identity of a child, which will cause children to feel secure in their callings.

• Covering

Covering speaks of a place where protection is offered when insecurities, uncertainties, fears, confusion, danger or adverse situations arises. A spiritual covering will provide anointing and blessings which will form character and identity and will raise confidence.

Psalms 91:1 says “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”.

• Refuge

Ps 62:5-8: My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defence; I shall not be moved.

This is the place where children run to when they have been hurt, betrayed and rejected. It’s a place where a father opens his arms and risks being stoned, wounded, and criticized in order to protect his children. This is a place where children are free to cry, expose their wounds, let go of their burdens in order to be healed.

A spiritual father and son relationship can be extremely rich, whole, and spiritually rewarding.  True spiritual fathers and spiritual sons bless one another abundantly. They serve one another, respect one another, and love one another and they want one another to be fully successful in their walks with the Lord. 

They give to each other so that they can both prosper. They come together in unity because they realize that it is not about their own personal kingdoms, it's about their Heavenly Father's Kingdom. True fathers and sons are about their Fathers’ business. When fathers and sons are walking together in truth, freedom, and wholeness; it is a manifestation of the Kingdom of God here on the earth. 

Never underestimate the power of Divine Relationships established by God.