Resources/Articles
Deliver Us from Evil
The more we hear and witness things like athletes on a field of competition or discoveries in research labs, the more man begins to believe he can do anything. Add to that number the heads of state, presidents, board of directors, principals, and CEOs. From the proud attitudes of some, it appears as though man has the ability to do anything he sets his mind to do. To tell him it cannot be done is to make him more determined to prove it can be done, and to say, “I can do it!”
The perils of power are abundant and often evil. King Ahab (1 Kings 16:28-30), Herod (Acts 12:21-23), and Pharaoh (Exodus 5:1-9) are just a few of the names associated with evil as a result of the power they possessed. These men were evil prior to being given an assignment of power, and you can read of their abuse and failures once they are placed in positions of authority.
However, there are some who were godly like King Saul (1 Samuel 9-10) before being given a position of power. Saul soon lost his humility. He “foolishly” offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, which were duties and responsibilities of prophets and priests (1 Samuel 13:1-14). Saul also failed to complete a command given to him by a prophet (1 Samuel 15), which resulted in him losing his position as king of Israel. Jeroboam was a good man, chosen of the Lord. God selected him to be the king over the northern ten tribes of Israel. God promised that to him as a “sure house” (1 Kings 11:38) if he would do right and keep His commandments. With his power, Jeroboam invented a false system of worship with false gods, false priests, and a false place to worship (1 Kings 12). He preferred his power above the power of God.
In addition to what all those above experienced with the lust for power, you can add pride, dishonesty, and self-righteousness to the perils of power. With the attitudes man acquires with power, none stands out as much as the failure to acknowledge God. From King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4) to the rich man (Luke 12) to Diotrephes (3 John 9), there is a failure to see that no power would exist if it were not for God (Romans 13:1). This was the same matter Jesus tried to get Pilate to understand in John 19:10-11. Pilate told Jesus, “Knowest thou not that I have power to release thee, and have power to crucify thee?” Jesus responded by saying, “Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above.”
Righteousness can be associated with power as long as it is regulated by the commands of God. It is a good thing. It takes humility and gratitude before God. This is the deliverance man needs today from the perils associated most often with selfish power. Instead of letting power “get to your head,” we need to let God be the head of all things. He needs to be the head of our attitudes, direction, words, and relationships. We need to seek the position and power God desires of us. If we do, honor and truth will accompany the power we have. We will seek the glory which is of God rather than the flattery of man. Our decisions will be more in line with God’s way and not the trends of society. More people who have positions of power need to learn this. The sooner they do, the more respect, appreciation, and support they will receive from those under their leadership.
