My biggest gripe with many self-established religious gurus is their persistent need to establish their own necessity and relevance. They do not simply teach truth; eventually, they begin inserting themselves into it. Their followers are subtly encouraged to believe that they need them to understand the gospel correctly, receive the right spiritual guidance, and progress toward God.

I think this is a profound mistake.

One of the most important objectives of any good teacher should be to make himself increasingly unnecessary. A good teacher helps others discover, evaluate, and apply truth independently. He teaches correct principles, encourages spiritual discernment, and points people toward a direct relationship with Jesus Christ. John the Baptist expressed the proper attitude perfectly: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).

Religious teachers lose credibility when they do the opposite. By continually emphasizing their authority, revelations, spiritual experiences, special knowledge, and elevated status, they brand themselves as self-promoting would-be leaders of the people seeking a following. The message may never be stated explicitly, but eventually it becomes clear: I know things you don’t know. I have experienced things you haven’t experienced. Therefore, you need me. For me, this is a major red flag.

A Good Father

By contrast, a good father does not want his children permanently dependent upon him. He wants them to eventually become stronger, wiser, more capable, and perhaps even better than himself. He teaches them precisely so that someday they will no longer need him to tell them what to do.

A good spiritual teacher should desire the same thing.

Moses demonstrated this beautifully when Joshua became concerned that others were prophesying independently. Moses replied, “Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!” (Numbers 11:29). Moses wasn’t threatened by the spiritual development of others. He wanted everyone to possess what he possessed.

That should be the measure of a good religious teacher. Does he teach people to recognize truth—or merely to recognize his authority? Does he strengthen their discernment—or teach them to distrust it whenever they disagree with him? Does he point people directly toward Christ—or gradually make himself an imperative part of the pathway to Christ?

As a father, teacher, writer, and friend, I don’t want to become anyone’s religious guru. I just want to share whatever truth God inspires me to share, help however I can, and then get out of the way.

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