“Imitation is limitation”, so the saying goes. That’s a line from a longer statement. The fuller version reads: “Trust your own instincts. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else’s. Be yourself – who else is better qualified? No one has ever become great by imitation: Imitation is Limitation. Don’t be a copy of something. Make your own impression. Dare to be who you are.” That’s an extract from the book Imitation is Limitation by John Mason. It is meant to be a motivational piece that spurs the reader into pursuing their unique God-given abilities and to fulfil their potential. Conventional wisdom reminds us that imitation may not be the sincerest form of flattery after all. In fact, originality is the cornerstone of intellectual property rights. In academic circles, failing to credit others’ ideas constitutes plagiarism. The message is clear: originality matters. All of that is well and fine.

But can we live without imitating others? Do we limit ourselves and our potentials whenever we copy someone else? Is imitation necessarily a bad thing? Is imitation always tantamount to limitation? Let’s see.

Copycats by Nature

To imitate is to copy, to emulate or to follow as a model. Imitation is an innate human trait, essential for growth and development. From birth, we learn through mimicry. Language acquisition, for instance, relies heavily on imitation. Newborns develop language skills by listening, processing, and replicating the words around them. This process allows them to acquire their ‘mother tongue’ – not inherited genetically, but learned through environmental immersion. It is also how accents are acquired, distinguishing individuals from different regions. By mimicking the sounds, intonations, and rhythms of those around us, we develop distinct vocal characteristics. How else do you hear, say three different people speaking the English language and you’re able to know whether they’re from England, Australia or the US? They acquired their accents by imitating those in their environments as they spoke. Suppose a child is given birth to and they stay with monkeys. In that case, they’ll never be able to speak because they had no human example to imitate even though they possess the natural ability to be able to learn a language. That same child will walk on all fours and not be bipedal because they grew in an environment where everyone walked on all fours. Imitation is how we acquire our eating habits, dress sense, culture, values and the like. My argument is that some imitation is vital for development.

Called to be Imitators of The Father

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children.” – Ephesians 5:1

Scripture couldn’t be clearer. As God’s children, we are commanded to imitate him. While imitation could be active or passive, we are here commanded to actively emulate the Father. If you are a child of God through Jesus Christ, you have not been given an option on this; the unambiguous instruction is that you watch what God does and then you do it. That’s what it means to imitate him. Just as earthly children learn valuable life lessons by observing their parents, we’re to watch, learn, and replicate God’s ways. This active imitation requires attention, intention, and obedience. We’re called to observe God’s actions, attitudes, and decisions, and then mirror them in our own lives. God’s chief character is love and the second verse in Ephesians 5 says, “live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” Love as used here is an all-embracing word. A look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 details the character of love and it is that that we are urged to imitate.

If you are a child of God through Jesus Christ, you have not been given an option on this; the unambiguous instruction is that you watch what God does and then you do it. That’s what it means to imitate him.

Jesus himself, the pattern Son, imitates the Father. He said, “the Son can do nothing by himself; he can only do what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). Jesus, being equal with God (Philippians 2:6), didn’t consider it beneath Him to imitate the Father. Instead, He embraced this posture, aligning His actions with the Father’s. Jesus didn’t pursue His own agenda, but rather replicated the Father’s works, without selection or exception. If your own walk with God and your actions as a Christian must be correct, then this pattern set by Jesus – of imitating the Father in whatever he does – must be yours too.

We have not seen God but his character is revealed to us in his word and modeled in the life of Jesus. Jesus is “the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). He himself said anyone who sees him “has seen the Father” (John 14:9). The Father also directed us to Jesus as the one to imitate. He said of him, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matthew 17:5). If you want to imitate the Father, imitate the Son, Jesus.

Jesus didn’t pursue His own agenda, but rather replicated the Father’s works, without selection or exception. If your own walk with God and your actions as a Christian must be correct, then this pattern set by Jesus – of imitating the Father in whatever he does – must be yours too.

Imitate Those Who Imitate the Father

To facilitate our growth in imitation and godly character, God has provided us with exemplary models – the lives of saints recorded in Scripture. In this context, that is the whole purpose of the lives of the saints recorded in Scripture – that we would have examples to pattern our lives after and know what to avoid. Paul, speaking to the Corinthian church, reminded them that through the gospel, he had become their father. He therefore urged them to imitate him (1 Corinthians 4:15-16). The writer of Hebrews cautions against laziness while urging us to “imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised” (Hebrews 6:12). This race that you are running didn’t begin with you; many have ran the race, kept the faith and inherited what has been promised. No challenge, trial, or temptation you face is unprecedented. Others have encountered similar obstacles and emerged victorious. Scripture assures us that “no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Hebrews 13:7 says, “Remember your leaders, … consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” You’re not blazing a new trail; countless spiritual forerunners have traveled this path. Scripture and contemporary examples abound of men and women who have successfully navigated the challenges you’re facing. Some are still running, but farther ahead on the journey. Humility invites you to learn from their experiences and imitate their godly examples. Why not help yourself by coming off your high horse and imitating them? While it makes for good bites and potential-fulfilling motivation to “trust your own instincts; make your own mistakes instead of someone else’s; be yourself; not be a copy of something; make your own impression and dare to be who you are”, this philosophy overlooks the value of learning from others’ experiences and wisdom. It would do you a world of good to look up and around and find worthy characters to imitate. Not all imitation is limitation. Isn’t exemplification and imitation one of the hallmarks of true discipleship? Asserting independence and refusing to learn from others can be a manifestation of pride, which God opposes (Proverbs 8:13; 1 Peter 5:5-6). Humility, on the other hand, recognizes our need for guidance and wisdom from others.

This race that you are running didn’t begin with you; many have ran the race, kept the faith and inherited what has been promised. No challenge, trial, or temptation you face is unprecedented. Others have encountered similar obstacles and emerged victorious.

Who Not to Imitate

While we have been expressly commanded to be imitators of God and of those who follow him, caution is needed – there are those who shouldn’t be imitated. This clarification is necessary because whether your ego agrees with it or not, we’re all inherently imitators. Our surroundings and relationships subtly shape us, influencing our behaviors, attitudes, and values. This process occurs actively, through intentional choices, and passively, through unconscious absorption.

If you will be whole, then you must not imitate those who do evil and avoid their company. This counsel is true for both young and old; Scripture doesn’t limit its wisdom to a specific age bracket.

Scripture therefore commands: “Do not imitate what is evil but what is good” (3 John 1:11). The best way to do that is to distance yourself from what or who is evil as you are likely to emulate what you encounter all the time. The Bible is clear that, “bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). This corruption occurs through subtle, yet potent, processes of passive and active imitation. How do people become drunkards, smokers, drug addicts and the like? Someone, somewhere, modeled this behavior, and it was copied. Similarly, generational patterns of sin within families are frequently perpetuated through subconscious imitation. If you will be whole, then you must not imitate those who do evil and avoid their company. This counsel is true for both young and old; Scripture doesn’t limit its wisdom to a specific age bracket.

Called to be a Model for Others to Imitate

The chain of imitation begins with God, and it extends to you. As a dearly loved child of God, you’re called to imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). However, the chain doesn’t stop with you. God has also entrusted you with the responsibility to model godly behavior for others. You’re now a vital link in the chain of imitation, passing on the baton of faith and virtue to those around you.  As a follower of Christ, you’re called to be an example, inspiring others to imitate you (1 Thessalonians 1:7, 2 Thessalonians 3:9). If you embrace this sacred responsibility, you’ll recognize the significance of living a life worthy of imitation. By imitating God and modeling His character, you’ll create a ripple effect of righteousness, influencing generations to come.

If you are a parent, I cannot stress enough the importance of being a model for your children. The values and behaviors you demonstrate at home will likely be replicated in your children’s lives. Your influence is unparalleled, and the impressions you make will last a lifetime. Neglecting this responsibility can have far-reaching consequences. When parents fail to model Christlike behaviors, their children may seek guidance from less desirable sources, such as their peers or the media. This can lead to all sorts of unwanted vices. Society is what it is today in no small part due to the failure of parenting. Ask yourself: are you a godly model for your children?

As a leader, regardless of the size or scope of your influence, you bear a significant responsibility. Your position of authority extends beyond delegation and decision-making; it encompasses inspiring and guiding others. You have been called to be a model for your followers or subordinates to imitate. Again, the decline of societal morals can be attributed, in part, to the failure of model leadership. If you are a teacher, great is your responsibility to model Christ to your students, whether they are young pupils in basic schools, teenagers in middle schools or adults in universities. All age groups require models. Teachers often hold more sway over students than parents; they are more receptive to your instruction as a teacher than that of their parents. Embrace the gravity of your influence; don’t fail them. Enough of working only for a paycheck. You have copycats around you, give them something worthwhile to copy.

Lest you say “I am still young, and free from this commandment until later in life”, Paul told young Timothy to not “let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). In essence, be a model for them to imitate despite your youth.

And to all believers, let Jesus have the final word: “You are the light of the world … let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).