I have written an article about how to be a spiritual father (Walking as a Spiritual Father). Here are some thoughts on how to walk as a spiritual son / daughter.

Receive Unconditional Love

No performance or earning approval. Just humbly receive it.

Take Correction

True sons (or daughters) can be corrected without getting angry or disconnecting. If your Father (or Mother) speaks correction or gives advice it is because they love you and care about your future. 

Honor but Realize They are not Perfect

Honoring your father doesn’t mean they are perfect. You are honoring their desire to help you and where they have walked in their life. As you honor, it starts a transference of what your father has to you.

True sons honor their father and what they have built, like a church, ministry, or business. If you have to leave their church or business leave honorably with their blessing. Never spit or divide. God does not bless division. 

John 8:35, ‘A servant abides not in the house forever, but a son, abides forever. 

Humility

Sons and daughters will often achieve greater notoriety and successes than their spiritual father. That was Jesus’ expectation for his disciples, “He said you shall do greater things…”

Remain humble in your success and continue to stay with your father because you still need their insight even if your ministry or business is bigger than their’s. They may not have as much insight on your ministry as in the past, but will still to speak into you personally which is the foundation of your present and future success. 

This is the difference between a father and a mentor. A mentor helps you in your skills. A father helps you in your life and motivations. Mentors will come and go based on what skills you need, but a Father will stay with you for the rest of your life.

Follow When You Don’t Understand

Sons submit to fathers even when they don’t understand because they realize the Father cares more about them than themselves. They realize that even if the Father makes a mistake, he will ask forgiveness, and then correct.We live in a generation where submission is mistaken for weakness and accountability for intrusion. Accountability is not the Father keeping you from doing the wrong things, but being accountable to your purpose and gifts. Submission is not a bad word when you trust your spiritual father but a freeing one. It reflects the submission we individually do with our heavenly Father.

Serve Your Father & His Vision

True sons are always available to serve their spiritual Fathers. As you sow into your Father’s vision, you will reap people that sow into your vision in the future. In 2 Kings 3:11, Elisha was referred to as one who poured water on the hands of Elijah. Pour water on the hands of your Father and you will see promotion like Elijah received.