I knew a man who fancied himself a disciple maker, one who molded new Christians. He also fancied himself a mentor of young ministers and "Don't tell them everything" was a frequent bit of advice he'd give. Now a bit of context. He liked to offer this advice when someone he was "mentoring" would, while they were ministering, expose something they either had gone through or were going through at that time as a testimony or teachable moment. Now a bit of disclosure. I believe there are things a person should keep private unless 1)God has told them to make it known or 2)That thing is conquering them and they can't deal with it themselves. With that said, understand this man didn't give his advice for either of these reasons he did so because he was shallow and prideful. He liked being esteemed, exulted. He wanted people to think he was faultless, to think he had it all together and even though he didn't he was going to present himself like he did. And with his advice he was grooming and molding others to do the same thing. I was one of them and I thank God for yanking me away from him as quickly as he did. It should be obvious that I disagree with his advice by the way I share things going on in my life. I do this because how else can people who struggle with faith know God is still in the delivering, healing, strengthening, convicting, and correction business unless someone testifies that they've experienced it? I do it because I know that people who listen to me preach, teach, and allow me to counsel or mentor them 1on1, need to know I'm biblically and spiritually qualified but they want to know I'm experientially qualified also. I do it so people who see the way I live my life know its possible for them too. I never want to be put on a pedestal. Yes I'm a man of authority with a calling on my life, I just choose to be him among the people not above them. So, I'll continue to share of myself with hopes that something I say helps save a soul. We all should. God Bless
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