Throughout history, man has sought to understand the whole concept of power. Among some Christians, power has been perceived to be so incompatible with the faith that believers have been conditioned to disdain it. But power is like a hammer–useful when in good hands and destructive in bad hands. Scripture views power as a matter of stewardship: a tool given by God to men for the sake of ‘tending and looking after his creation’ (Genesis 1:26). Power becomes evil when it is used as an object of worship rather than a means of service.
By coming to appreciate the source of power, its seductiveness, and the standard set for us for its use, we will be better placed to avoid its trappings and hence wield it appropriately.
The Source of Power
First and foremost, human power is not to be seen as independent or autonomous. Man has no capacity to endow himself with power–never mind that we have government officials who rig themselves into offices. All power, Scripture says, is from above–from God (Romans 13:1). Power, whether political, social, or in whatever other sphere, is from God who graciously gives all things. Why does God give men power? For the sake of maintaining order and justice. Now, we know that, because of men/ women in authority, many have, for example, endured torture. Such injustice exists because of man’s fallen nature (Genesis 3:6-7; 6:5; 51:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:23).
For instance, in the story of Gideon in Judges 6, we see God giving power to a weak and unlikely person. Gideon lacked credentials, but God gave him the power to lead the people into battle. There was no way Gideon would have been in authority on his own—he was in a winepress, hiding out of fear of the enemy. Yet, unlike Gideon, Solomon, the son of King David, was from a noble background. He asked God for wisdom instead of wealth. He wanted to use this power to serve the people, not for his own gain (1 Kings 3).
Contrary to Solomon, Saul, Israel’s first king, misused his God-given power (1 Samuel 15). At first, he was so shy that he hid when the Prophet Samuel came to anoint him as king. Yet afterward, Saul became someone different, even using his power for his own fame and glory. King Uzziah was another king who started well but fell because of pride (2 Chronicles 26:16). The bottom line is that none of these people mentioned could bestow power on themselves. God granted them the opportunity to rule and wield power. Fundamentally, all power and authority come from God. Jesus himself said it: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
The Seductiveness of Power
Inasmuch as power comes from God, it does have a seductive ability. As we have seen above, those who misused power did so because they fell prey to the seduction of power, luring them away from God’s design. Power is seductive because it appeals to our ego, offering a sense of immunity and total dominance. Now, because of sin, man is bent on selfishness, only focused on what he wants (Obadiah 1:3). This side of man becomes more apparent when they acquire power.
The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) is a good example of how power can seduce us away from God. These people had one language, were united, and strong. In their strength, however, they decided that they were big enough to reach God, essentially challenging their Creator. They saw themselves as unbeatable—not even by God. Similarly, the designer of the Titanic Cruise Ship is said to have boasted that not even God could sink his genius creation. That is perfect deception: to think that we are invincible even before God.
The temptations of Jesus in the wilderness by Satan (Matthew 4) also reveal a similar seduction. Jesus was set to glorify the Father alone, but the devil wanted Jesus to lose sight of God’s purpose for his coming. The seduction of power usually leads men/women to misuse it, believing it is all about them. This is why power corrupts when it gets into someone’s head. How do you know that power is taking over you? When you think that boundaries are for everyone else but you. When you credit yourself with earning your power, not God. And when you think that God’s work cannot continue without you.
The Standard of Power
But power, seen and handled correctly, ought to bring us to the realization that it is never about us but God and what he wants done for others. The paradox of power is that it elevates you while still expecting you to maintain a lowly status. Whoever learns this balance has understood the purpose of power. Scripture says that Jesus, God in the flesh, did not consider his being deity as anything to boast about; instead, he humbled himself (Philippians 2:5-11). The standard of power is not in how much rule we exert over people, but in how well we serve those below us.
Jesus said in Mark 10:42-45 that greatness is seen not in lording over people but in serving them. He tells the disciples that the greatest among them should have one focus: to be the servant of all, just as he was. The world says to us, ‘might makes right,’ to purport that power defines morality. But Jesus is calling us to a different attitude altogether—power through weakness. Power is to be expressed in sacrifice for others rather than to sacrifice others for oneself. Therefore, while “Might Makes Right” asks, “What can I take because I am strong?”, the contrasting attitude asks, “What can I give because I have been empowered?”
When we look around the world, we do not see many such examples of power. Servant leadership is rare, though not entirely lacking. Mandela spent 27 years in prison, but when he emerged to become the President of South Africa, he didn’t use his new “might” to seek vengeance against his oppressors. He established the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Instead of a “victor’s justice” (punishing the losers), he sought “restorative justice” (healing the nation). Lincoln is often cited as the political embodiment of the biblical “house divided.” His leadership during the American Civil War was defined by a refusal to demonize his enemies. His “Second Inaugural Address” is one of the most outstanding examples of servant-hearted rhetoric. Rather than a “might makes right” victory speech, he spoke of “charity for all” and “malice toward none.” He filled his cabinet with his political rivals (the “Team of Rivals” strategy), believing that the country needed the best minds, even if they were his personal critics. Each of these men realized that the most “powerful” thing a leader can do is lay down their power for the sake of a higher principle.
Whether power is evil depends on the person to whom it has been granted. God gives power to whomever he wills and for his purposes alone. It is up to us to see power as God granting us the opportunity to turn things around for the good of all, not just ourselves. In summary, power is good when those in authority receive it as God intended.