Covering Our Spiritual Fathers

Father’s Day is here again—Glory to God! This is a special day set aside to recognize and honor fathers and father figures. But it is not just a day for biological fathers; it’s also a time to celebrate our spiritual fathers—pastors, mentors, and spiritual leaders around the world.

Spiritual fathers play a vital role in providing spiritual oversight to their sons and daughters in the faith. Covering our spiritual fathers means honoring them, submitting to their guidance, and respecting the authority they have as stewards of our spiritual well-being.

1 Corinthians 4:15 (NKJV)

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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.

In this scripture, Paul is telling the Corinthian church that although they may have many mentors, they only had one spiritual father—him. He led them to Christ and nurtured them in the gospel. Just as you have only one biological father, the same principle applies spiritually: you can have many instructors and mentors, but only one spiritual father.

As Christians and ministers of the gospel, it’s important that we identify and honor our spiritual fathers. Like our earthly fathers, spiritual fathers are not perfect. They are human, and they too can make mistakes. When our biological fathers fall short, we don’t rush to expose them publicly; instead, we often protect and cover them. We should do the same for our spiritual fathers. We are not called to expose their flaws or parade their mistakes before the world. Rather, we are called to cover them in love and prayer. When we do this, God is pleased with us.

Remember the story of Noah and his sons. After Noah drank himself into a stupor and lay uncovered, his son Ham saw his nakedness and broadcast it to his brothers. But Shem and Japheth, Noah’s younger sons, respectfully covered their father without looking upon his shame. Because of Ham’s dishonor, he and his descendants were cursed and made servants to his brothers’ lineage (Genesis 9:20–27). What a tragic outcome!

Let us not follow Ham’s example. Instead, let’s cover and respect our spiritual fathers when they make mistakes. Let’s stop attacking and disrespecting them—especially through social media platforms. Happy Father’s Day!