Powerful People

Powerful people are not prideful people. They are not those who are possessed by knowledge and wealth, but they may possess them. They are not from any particular people group, yet they come from all people. One thing that truly powerful people recognize is that all power belongs to God.

While the most powerful people on the planet should be those of the Kingdom of God, many of them do not live powerful lives. Even though some seek live in the fullness of power and authority, they find themselves frustrated. If believers are going to influence nations for the Kingdom, they are going to need to walk powerfully. It is God’s will for every individual to be powerful, and He as made every provision for it. That being said, why do people fall short and how do they walk powerfully? Here are some answers to these questions, and obviously there are more than just these.

One of the reasons people do not live powerfully is because their definition of power differs from God’s definition. Secondly, they differ in respect to purpose. Finally, they do not understand God’s process He takes people through in order for them to properly walk with power. Consequently, they seek it by their own understanding and fall way short.

Matthew 18:1-4 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto Him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (KJV). One application of this verse in relation to the Kingdom is that true power requires humility, pure and simple. Sometimes people try to bypass the position of well-loved child to become mature sons and daughters who are ready for the family business. The problem is that it is pride-based. Face it, no one likes to be considered a child, but that comes from a carnal worldview. In the Kingdom, we learn from the position of well-loved that the Father loves us. Without that foundation, we could not properly function as confident mature sons and daughters. This leads us to a very important point: true power works by love, just as faith works by love (see Galatians 5:6; 1Corinthians 13:2). Power apart from love leads to destruction. Jesus reveals that premise in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity” (KJV). 1Corinthians 8:3 tells us, “But if any man love God, the same is known of Him” (KJV). If we do not begin in the incubator of love, we will not grow to be powerful people.

The purpose of power is to rule by serving people well; it is not to dominate them or to have them serve us. Power is meant to glorify God; not make us famous and admired. We are to make Him famous. It does not confirm or validate us; it confirms His Word. If we do not couple power with love and humility, in the end we will be dismal failures. What good is it if a man gains the whole world, but loses his soul? Likewise, what good is it if he becomes famous and admired, but influences no one for Jesus? Instead of walking in the true purposes of power, he will seek to use it to validate himself because he failed to receive His love. This is what happens when people fail to embrace the position of well-loved child and allow God to bring them into maturity.

If we try to define power for ourselves, it would be possible to miss our destiny. Power may place some people in palaces to influence kings, but not all people are supposed to go to palaces. Some may be called to the garbage dumps to influence and bless those who are impoverished. Regardless of the where, the grace of God empowers us to be effective in the places He does send us. That means we have to let Him show us where He wants us. You can try to make the decision for yourself, but you will be miserable as a result. Why would God give anyone power for something different from His intended purpose? If we walk in His purpose, we will walk in His power.

It has been said, “Knowledge is power;” yet, the Word says, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies” (author translation, see 1Corinthians 8:1). That means the most educated people are not necessarily the most powerful. They may gain positions of prominence by world standards, but those positions have no eternal value. One carnal view that has crept into segments of the Body of Christ is the idea someone has to have some sort of degree or formal training to hold a position in the church. One could argue that the Apostle Paul was an example for this. However, even Paul considered all his education as dung (see Philippians 3:4-14). He determined to know Christ and Him crucified. If we go by examples, some could argue that those who have no formal education are more suited. Look at Peter and John; they were fishermen, not college graduates. Both views are false. God uses our backgrounds in different ways. He used Paul’s study of Scripture to bring to light the Truth of the Gospel. However, Paul said it was the Holy Spirit Who actually does the teaching. An uneducated person may also be disqualified if he does not surrender to the Holy Spirit. The issue here is not whether a person should go to school or not. Leave that to the Lord. Meaning, if He leads you to get formal training, then go. If He does not, then do not go. Let Him qualify you for the service He called you to do. Power comes to those who surrender.

In the world, people consider the wealthy to be powerful. In truth, this is also a false assumption. Even Scripture says, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you” (James 5:1 [see verses 2-6 for full context], KJV). Some believers think to be powerful they have to be rich. If a person is poor they have no power, yet the Word says, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him” (James 2:5 (KJV)? They put their trust in God, not in riches. How many wealthy people use tranquilizers to sleep at night? How many require a drink to relax? How many have no lasting peace, no matter how much money they have? Is that powerful living? Does this mean that if a person is wealthy, he cannot be powerful? No, it means if he humbles himself or is poor in spirit, he can live powerfully while being a resource for the Kingdom of God. It is not what is in our hands; it’s the way we view and use it makes the difference. The key is being content where ever we are. Discontented people do not influence people for Jesus. Powerful people are content. Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (KJV).

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