Characteristics of A Nathan

Memory Verse: "And the Lord sent Nathan [the prophet] to David. He came and said to him..." (2 Sam.12:1, AMP)

Scripture Reading: 2 Sam.12:1-15.

We left off yesterday by saying that the need for a functional Nathan cannot be overemphasised if we really want to please God and walk in our God-ordained destinies.

Having defined the role of a spiritual Nathan in yesterday's devotional, we will be considering the characteristics of a spiritual Nathan as taught me by my Oldest Boyfriend (the Holy Spirit) so we can submit properly to them.

• A Nathan is one in close relationship with God. He talks to God and God talks back to him. Every Nathan has a strong private prayer life because they understand that prayer should always precede correction. Simply put, a Nathan is a spiritual person.

• Nathans are usually sent by God to a person and because they are sent by God, God puts the word for our correction and guidance in their mouth.

• Nathans possess God's truth behind them. They correct and relate with us based on the truths of God's word. Their words are in agreement with God's word.

• The identity of your Nathan is dependent on his divine election, not his popularity. That someone is popular doesn't necessarily mean that's your own Nathan. Your Nathan does not necessarily have to own a church. The world may not know him. Your spirit just needs to know that's he's the one assigned to your life.

• A Nathan will always possess a proper understanding of his personal mission in your life. They operate out of a deep spiritual conviction. God did not place them in your life to be friends with you. Don't make that mistake.

• Your Nathan will definitely have a relationship with you. This simply means that your Nathan must know and identify with you on a personal level. For example, I cannot say Bishop Oyedepo is my Nathan even though I worship at the Faith Tabernacle. The point here is, your personal relationship with your Nathan is the bridge that will allow your God-sent Nathan to do what God called him to do in your life. In simple english, you will know your Nathan and your Nathan will know that he is your Nathan.

• Nathans are usually humble and broken people. They have nothing to lose, because they have died to self and personal ambition. Prophet Nathan demonstrated this when the Lord sent him with not-so-pleasing words to king David. He was bold enough to communicate the exact words of the Lord to David without fear of being punished by the king.

• Finally, your Nathan has his own Nathan who he equally submits to. By implication, you submit to him while he equally submits to his own Nathan figure. In other words, he is not a man of himself. He too takes orders and receives instructions for his own life from someone who's spiritually higher than himself.

With these characteristics, we now know how to separate the counterfeit Nathans from the real ones.

I encourage us not to hide from our Nathan figure for those of us that have got one and if you are without one, ask the Lord to give you one. Personally, I meet with my Nathan when necessary. If I don't go, he sends for me. We talk very often and beyond him telling me, I know he's got his [spiritual] eyes on me ever since God brought us together.

Therefore, I ask that you submit to your Nathan's guidance and instructions out of reverence for Christ. Pray for your Nathan. Love him. Accept him and watch how your life will go.

Ponder Point: Spiritual authority is not the problem. Our stubborn hearts is.

Action Point: Learn submission.

Prayer Point: A heart that is open to correction and a humble attitude towards my Nathan is what I ask of You Lord, in Jesus name, Amen.