QUESTION RECEIVED> Trusting Spiritual Fathers?

QUESTION RECEIVED:

I know we have to obey our spiritual fathers 

but how far does that go?

My ANSWER:

What or who is a “spiritual father”?

Spiritual father is a term the Apostle Paul gave himself for the church at Corinth.  The Corinthian church was being pulled apart by false teaching and immoral pagan behavior. 

These people had an Apostle with direct revelation from Christ.

A “spiritual father" is a title not to be thrown around to whoever claims it. 

Today some people call themselves bishop, prophet, apostle and other names they have no biblical mandate in doing so.

The person who would be a “spiritual father” should have authority only if they are devoted to a righteous Christ-like life.

1 Corinthians 4:15 New King James Version (NKJV)

“15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.”

Do you ”have to”, as your question asks,  

obey your spiritual father?

NO!

And who says you have one and why?

You have to obey and honor God.

Some men you may be wise to obey.

Matthew 22

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

In the Ten Commandments it says to honor your mother and father –not blankly obey evil instruction.

Exodus 20:10

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.

Evil men have used spiritual authority to profit financially and abuse those in the church.

If any man tries to get you to sin physically in word or deed and claims spiritual reasoning he is accursed.

Matthew 18:6

6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

No man saved you but the God/Man Jesus Christ.  He lived a perfect life. Christ died in the place of and paid for the sins of all who would repent and believe.

Trust Christ and only people whose life and mouth confess Christ consistently.