The subject of fathers in spiritual things has generated some misunderstandings in the minds of people. For one it is clearly stated in the Bible call no-one father for you have one Father in heaven Matt. 23:9 The same Bible reads in 1Cor. 4:15 when Paul told the Corinthian Church that they may have many instructors but not many fathers. Obviously, there must be an understanding behind the words of Jesus. There was an abuse of the title amongst the Jews at that time. Many were positioning for the role by virtue of their purported knowledge of the writings of Moses. They 'became' fathers who would rather be seen and referred to as such because of what it means to their ego and status.

There are different kinds of fathers. A spiritual father is one that has been privileged in God to pour his spiritual composition to affect the composition of another. A leader whose influence has had a definite impact in shaping the spiritual destinies of others. Somehow many people influence us in various ways. The significance of a father's role in our lives is greatly underscored by the following:- Malachi 4:5-6 "Behold, I will send you Elijah, the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse."

The land will be under a curse when the father-son relationship is not in its proper place. This is true in the natural as well as spiritual. We are looking at the spiritual in this write-up. Obviously Timothy was already saved and had a good report amongst the brethren before he joined Paul's team and got called to be son later. It is also significant that Elisha did not call Elijah, "My Rabbi or prophet" as he was being carted away by the Chariot from heaven. He said "My father, my father." The mount of Transfiguration saw Jesus meeting with Moses and Elijah in a blaze of glory. Why Elijah and Moses? Well, they represent the Law (Moses) and the Prophets (Elijah). One other thing they have in common is that they both carried out spiritual transference through a spiritual father-son relationship. Moses had Joshua and Elijah had Elisha. Remember that Abraham had his testimony of God that he would command his children after him. God seems very particular that the knowledge of Him and values that go with walking with Him are transmitted from one generation to another. God takes it serious and fully intends to bless father-son relationships. Jesus, God's Son would not do anything without the approval of the Father.

A father nurtures, chastises, encourages and helps one into the path of destiny. You hear the VOICE of the FATHER-GOD through and in the voice of a father on earth. A father is not necessarily one that leads you to salvation. In the natural a man can impregnate a woman, it takes more than that to father a son. It involves an enduring process to be a father. The pain, agony, confusion and commitment spell fatherhood. It is never for selfish ends when it comes to true spiritual fathering. It is for Godly purposes. Many spiritual fathers qualify by their life of obedience, like Abraham became a father to us all by his obedience to God. A father has walked with God with scars to show for it. He is not a starter who has knowledge. He has proven the word of God in the trying places. He knows what he is talking about when he talks. He has been there. He gives what he has received of the deposits of God put in him through others ahead of him and in his walk-with God. A father imparts and helps you to navigate the murky waters of life. You can rest your case when you go through with the counsel of a God-connected father.

Fathers are called by God to father others! Their experiences become patterns for others. Their victories become indicators of the victories others will experience in the future.

When Peter said Elders should be examples in 1Peter 5:3, it implies patterns for others under them. Fathers chart a pathway in the Spirit for Sons. Abraham's walk with God became a pattern for Isaac - both had stories to tell about their wives being their sisters; Isaac's walk became a pattern for Jacob. Jacob rested in an area surrounding where his fathers had raised altars to God (Gen. 28); He had an open heaven without effort on his part. The labors of the fathers create a pathway for the sons in the Spirit. Fathers can change the natural course of events for sons. The impartation of a father can totally change the course of events of a son.

Let me hear your views on this; visit our website www.fowm.org

God bless you.

Rev. Kola Ewuosho