A gentleman had a spiritual experience, and when he had this dream, he rushed to his pastor. He asked, “Pastor, I just had this encounter; what does it mean?” The pastor immediately replied, “That’s the devil. God does not speak that way.” The man walked away from the church, sought out the devil, and was eventually initiated into demonic practices. Tragically, when he passed away, he acknowledged that he had become a witch and had believed in witchcraft for nearly 35 years. This happened because his church could not understand his experiences and there was no one who could mentor or teach him properly .
This story reflects a harsh truth: many gifted people suffer because they are in the wrong environment. Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.” However, when a gift is misunderstood or not nurtured, it can lead to confusion, misdirection, and even destruction.
The importance of mentorship
I remember an encounter I had between the ages of 9 and 11. It wasn’t just a dream—it was a vivid experience. When I woke up, I was filled with fear and assumed it was witchcraft. Growing up in a culture where anything supernatural was often labeled as evil, I told my parents what I had seen. They dismissed it as “just a dream,” thinking it was my imagination.
Later, I realised that the experience was prophetic. However, it wasn’t until I was placed in the right environment that I began to understand my gift. This delay in recognising and cultivating my calling was due to the lack of spiritual mentorship. Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Without guidance, many gifted individuals struggle, and their potential remains dormant.
What is mentorship?
Mentorship is not about control; it’s about guidance. A mentor is someone with experience in a specific area who helps you grow in understanding and operation. Mentorship, as seen in Scripture, is a divine tool for growth and development. For example, Eli mentored Samuel. Even though Eli was not perfect, he taught Samuel how to recognise and respond to God’s voice. 1 Samuel 3:9 says, “So Eli told Samuel, ‘Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”
Had I had a mentor at the age of 9, especially someone prophetic, my gift would have been sharper much earlier. But because of ignorance in the spiritual matters within my environment, my gift nearly faded. Similarly, the gentleman in the earlier story became a witch simply because he sought answers in the wrong place.
- Avenues for community skills and knowledge sharing
- A case of women leadership in Africa
- TelOne launches girl mentorship programme
- Inclusive education distant dream for rural Zim kids with disabilities
Keep Reading
Why mentorship is crucial for your gift
The purpose of mentorship is to help you identify and cultivate what you already carry. It is not about controlling your life but guiding you through teachings and shared wisdom. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” A mentor sharpens you, helping you align with God’s purpose for your life.
Many people don’t realise their gifts because they don’t understand what they carry. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 1:6, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Your gift is like a seed—it must be nurtured and stirred up to grow and bear fruit. Without mentorship, your gift can remain stagnant, leading to frustration and missed opportunities.
The church’s role in cultivating the supernatural
The church must teach and nurture the supernatural. Many people with spiritual encounters feel lost or confused because there’s no one to guide them. Imagine if the church became a place where people with supernatural experiences were taught, encouraged, and guided. Joel 2:28 prophesies, “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” We live in a time when the Spirit of God is moving, but many gifts are going unnoticed or untapped. As a result, people are either abandoning their gifts or seeking guidance from the wrong sources.
Remember, in the days of Eli, the voice of God was rare, yet he taught Samuel to hear and respond to God.
