Mentors Who Become torMentors
When Counsel Replaces Scripture and Influence Becomes Authority An Interesting Question How does a mentor emerge? Mentoring can be one of the greatest gifts in a person's life. But when guidance turns into control, correction into humiliation, and influence into manipulation, a mentor can become a source of deep harm. Here are some observations worth examining. Most mentors are never officially appointed. They are not elected by a church, commissioned by a ministry, or given a formal title. They simply become trusted. People seek them out because they have lived through experiences, gained wisdom, demonstrated character, and earned respect. In that sense, mentoring is natural and even beneficial. Older believers encourage younger believers. Mature Christians guide those who are struggling. Throughout Scripture we see examples such as Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, and Paul and Titus. Yet an important question remains: What happens when someone s...