Kids & Parenting

Teachers, Guides and Fathers

by Terry Barlow
03/31/18
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   The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 4 verse 15 that his readers, though they have 10,000 teachers and guides, have not many fathers. What is it that distinguishes the multitude of teachers and guides from fathers, be they natural or spiritual fathers or parents? Each one of us has had many teachers and counselors over the years in elementary schools and middle schools, and high schools or universities for those that educated. None of those teachers or guides or counselors brought us into being in the first place however. Only fathers and mothers could do that. It’s the same in the spirit, as a father or mother led us to the Lord Jesus initially there were and are others also who prove instrumental in leading us to the Lord at some key juncture in our spiritual lives. Or they were instrumental in bringing to birth (kind of like a spiritual midwife) some new gift, or ministry or quality of Christlikeness in our lives, maybe without us even knowing it at the time.
   What’s more, fathers and mothers tend to be imitated by their children, even in unconscious ways. A true spiritual father or mother is modeling something continually that is worthy of being imitated. That cannot be said for all teachers and guides. Many teachers and guides are not following their own teaching or guidance by the examples of how they live their own lives. Some do this more than others, and some are learning to walk more fully in what they teach and counsel.
  Any good influence has to be recognized to be received and followed. To be effective or to take effect in the practical life good influence must not be held at bay, but rather embraced and absorbed. When embraced a good influence can do what the very word implies: flow into the life and character. Influence, whether it be through a teacher or a guide or a parent, equals inflow and that inflow implies proximity.