“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be My witnesses, telling people about Me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NLT)
“Power is perhaps humanity’s most dangerous drug,” writes Rebecca McLaughlin, yet power is the most cherished gift of God to a believer! The word translated “power” in the verse above is the word “dunamis (doo’-nam-is)” which is the word from which comes our English word “dynamite.”
Ideally, at least for a Jesus follower, the Holy Spirit releases His power through us to be witnesses with our words and deeds, not to point people to us, but to Jesus. Think of the words that have challenged and or changed you across the years of your life. Words like: “stupid,” “dumb,” “fat,” “ugly” and many other derogatory remarks.
Balance those with words like: “brilliant,” “gifted,” “beautiful,” “leader,” “smart,” and many more complimentary words that affirmed, encouraged, and built you up. Words have power to those who believe them, both positively and negatively. Once I invited the Lord Jesus to become my Savior and Lord, over time, I’ve learned to block out anything that didn’t agree with the words He uses to describe me. Words like: “loved,” “gifted,” “treasured,” “called,” “chosen,” “forgiven,” “empowered,” and many other life-giving affirmations.
On many levels it depends on who you choose to believe and from whom the words are derived. The Prince of Preachers, Charles Spurgeon wrote: “Self-sufficiency is Satan’s net where he catches men, like poor silly fish, and destroys them.” Self-sufficiency is often the result of believing that power is derived from pulling ourselves up by our own bootstraps; by working hard and making a name for ourselves; by earning money and enjoying its accompanying prestige, often by walking over others on our way up.
Power isn’t given, it’s demanded, and it often leaves carnage in its wake. Power becomes our god and we’ll do anything to feed the feeling it gives us. And the irony is, we don’t have to be a Napoleon or a Hitler in order to be empowered, all we need is a small office and a title and we’re good to go.
While I was pastoring, our only other staff Pastor resigned, so we began a search that resulted in an invitation to a young couple, whom I knew well, to come and candidate for the position. They came and it was a wonderful weekend. The church seemed responsive, and, in my mind, I couldn’t have hoped for a better turnout and response. But when the vote was tallied, they received only a 51% affirmation. I was crushed.
As I reeled in disbelief, one of the members of the governing body got right in my face, almost nose to nose and said to me: “I just wanted you to know who’s really running this church.” That’s the disastrous “drug” that is crippling the church and grieving the heart of God. It reminds me of A.W. Tozer’s words: “It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it.”
That experience changed the trajectory, not only of my ministry, but of my life. Admittedly, I was naïve and wanted to believe that people who served in positions of leadership at the church truly loved Jesus and were people of integrity, but I quickly learned that wasn’t always the case. I held on a few more years, but it soured my spirit and led me to leave ministry, which led to personal failure on many levels, resulting in the demise of my marriage.
Power in the wrong hands can be destructive and dishonoring to the Lord, but when the power of the Holy Spirit is released to do what only He can do in a broken life, resurrection, restoration, and renewal can become a reality.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 