According to Jesus Christ our Lord, there is only one Spiritual Father and He is Almighty GOD. We made GOD jealous by calling our Pastors and spiritual leaders Father and the church is presently in a terrible mess.

Is your faith sucking because of the strange news you heard about your spiritual father? Are you disappointed by the attitude of your spiritual grandfather too?

Today’s sermon would give you the right understanding of the title ‘spiritual father’ and guide you to know how to address your spiritual leaders in the righteous way approved by Jesus Christ.

This message is strictly for Christians who respect Jesus Christ’s commandments and not the controversial doctrines of church leaders.

Who is Spiritual Father in the Bible?

The word ‘spiritual father’ does not exist in the Bible, so it came into existence as a title after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by some leaders including the papacy.

The title ‘Father’ is sacred to Jesus Christ that He referred to the LORD as Father for 213 times as recorded in gospels and acts.

When Jesus Christ noticed the havoc caused by the leaders into the lives of the followers and the victims could not raise their voice because they respect the titles of their leaders so much. Jesus set them free by telling them the truth about GOD who is Spiritual:

“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)

Bible Verses About Spiritual Father

Matthew chapter 23 verses 1 to 12:

“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. “Therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.

“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. “But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, “greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’

“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.”

“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.”

“And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.”

“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”””

What is Jesus saying?

1. The structural setting of Jesus context above is congregational, so calling your earthly parent father is not a sin in this context but calling your pastor your father is a sin in the context above.

2. All servants of GOD in this context must refuse big titles like; father-in-the-Lord and other forms of titles we give ourselves from the time of Paul.

3. All New Testament believers must see themselves as brothers and sisters; no one is big than the other in the church.

4. Any leader who wants to lead the congregate must act like a servant without wearing big clothes, riding exotic cars, sitting on big chairs or asking the church members to build a mansion for him.

5. It might be difficult for the spiritual leaders to accept these commandments because Jesus is changing the trend of worshiping Pastors to adoring GOD only.

Your Mentor is Not Your Spiritual Father

A mentor is someone who advised you and explained the scriptures to you when you are growing spiritually. The popular trend in our midst is to refer to such mentor a spiritual father but it is perfectly wrong. Your mentor can be your spiritual leader but can never receive the title called “Spiritual Father.” GOD is Spirit, so there is only one Spiritual Father for everyone and He is the LORD.

Many of the spiritual leaders who love to be called ‘spiritual father’ justify their disobedience by quoting 1 Corinthians 4:14–15 and 2 Corinthians 12:14–15. But, Paul’s statement in the passages were self-proclaimed and not God speaking the utterance through him.

3 Importance of Having the Spiritual Father

1. When you confess your sins and accept Jesus Christ into your life, then GOD becomes you Spiritual Father who blesses you with His Holy Spirit.

“Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”” (John 14:23)

2. The Holy Spirit would be your counsel every day to guide you on the righteous path to follow.

3. If you give all your respect to the LORD, you won’t suffer disappointment.

I got more confused and wonder if many of our leaders are not like the Pharisees. How could I call my pastor or the general overseer “my spiritual fathers” and I hear them refer to God as their “father”. So, who is God to me…my “spiritual grandfather”?

Jesus Christ had clearly told us that we are all brethren and only GOD is our Father. God is Spirit, so HE is the only Spiritual Father!

It might be difficult to change the damaging church doctrines which contradicts Jesus’ commandments, but I want you to meditate on today’s message and act according to the instructions of Jesus Christ by not calling any man your spiritual father.