Spiritual Sons
Mal 4:6 - "And he will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse."
This is a prophetic promise which will be fulfilled. There is to be a spiritual release that compels fathers to emerge and turn toward the children. As fathers turn their hearts, there is to be a reciprocal response from the children. This response must not be in judgment or reaction but rather with a heart for restoration which will draw them to realign themselves again with the fathers.
The church is in desperate need of sons who will have the right response and take responsibility for their own actions and failures. It is a time for the sons to pick up their mantel and join themselves again to their fathers.
A father’s bad behavior can never be an excuse for the children’s attitude. Nor should it in any way be an excuse which hinders or limits their development and calling.
Samuel was born to Hannah as a result of a vow she had made to the Lord. To fulfill that vow after the birth she gave him to a very flawed spiritual father for his development. This father was Eli, who:
- Could not distinguish between the spirit of intercession and drinking (1 Sam1:14)
- Had sons who were undisciplined, an offense to the people of God (1 Sam. 2:12)
- Didn’t recognize the voice of God when it came (1 Sam. 3:3-9)
Samuel, despite this environment, grew into a powerful man of God. The key to this development is found in 1 Sam. 3:1 – “Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord before Eli.” Although his spiritual father was Eli, Samuel ministered to the Lord as the object of his worship. This focus on the Lord allowed him to grow well beyond Eli in spiritual insight, gift and calling.
The fathers’ actions do have an effect on the children. Jeremiah 31:29 - "In those days they will not say again, 'the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.’"
This reaction can only be mitigated when as a son I understand that I will stand before God not for my father’s failure but for what I did with the talents and gifts I was given. It will be my heart, my actions and my attitudes that are judged. If your ‘teeth are on edge,’ turn your attention to the Lord Jesus and receive His grace to walk in right relationship.
Ps 144:12 – “Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants,
And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace;”
Being a spiritual son
Before we go much further we should define terms. A father / son relationship does not necessarily have anything to do with age; rather it is a joining of hearts that is based on maturity and trust. It may be someone who birthed you in God but more likely it is someone whom God brought across your path for your development. The term son is intended to and does include daughters. The reason the term ‘spiritual children’ was not used is because it fails to convey the maturity and inheritance which can be in the term son. In truth, (even if functionally you are a father or mother in the faith) we are all to have the heart of a son.
Four kinds of sons
Passive sons
o Only reach out when it is convenient or they are in need
o Won’t take responsibility
o Expect the father to do it for them
o Will not initiate contact or communication with the father
Political sons
o Use the influence of the father for their own ends
o Pursue a father not for relationship but for credibility
o Distance themselves in times of difficulties or persecution
o Want reputation without character development
Prodigal sons
o Always look for something better
o Want what the father has earned without paying the price of faithfulness
o Run rather than receive correction
o Will come back when it gets rough out there
Passionate sons
o Have a passion for Christ
o Understand the vision
o Have a servant’s heart
o Are a joy to the father
10 Characteristics of a passionate son
- Values and honors his father as a gift from God. He will invest time to be with him, receive from him and pursue his wisdom.
- Finds security and safety in the relationship. He is able to be fully open with his father, revealing the hidden motives and ambitions of his heart.
- Has an understanding and hunger for real spiritual authority. His desire is to learn from his father how to exercise it correctly.
- Submits to the counsel of the father and will not make a major decision without their prior input.
- Seeks input or correction, he will freely discuss mistakes and failures, knowing that it is for his development and good.
- Understands that his future is dependent on maintaining a right relationship with his spiritual father. Often the father’s mantel becomes his mantel.
- Understands his need for a father and has committed to (listen under) him, willingly putting himself in a position to learn.
- Looks for a relationship of real accountability and will clearly define his expectations to be sure he is receiving the benefit.
- Sows into the father’s life knowing that it is good soil and that there is great value in the input he receives.
- Will pull close to his father in time of attack regardless of whether the assault is aimed at him or at his father. He knows the place of safety.
1 Thess 5:12,13 - But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
