How to Manage Power
Where do you stand when it comes to authority and power? Do you know how to handle it? Or are you one of those individuals who just acts without thinking? One of the false concepts of authority that led to its misuse and abuse is that power is synonymous with authority (meaning that they are the same). That is not true. I see this more and more in religious leaders and those who hold a position of authority in the church. Many people have come to see authority as a greater strength that is able to subdue others.
Allow me to share this with you. Power is the capacity to move something by force or energy, whether it is an object, an idea or a person. It is the ability to cause, activate, initiate, transform or impact. Power can be exercised through position, knowledge, strength, force, integrity, influence, personality or threats. But keep this in mind, power isn't the same thing as authority. The difference is that true authority is always sanctioned, or authorized. Whereas power can be illegitimate or even unauthorized. Do you remember what the devil told Jesus? Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
This temptation was an attempt to offer Jesus the King power by the wrong means. Always remember, Satan's methods involve a detour around God's purpose that He has for your life--an inducement to "take the easy way" to power.
Luke 4:5-6
~~W.R. Luchie
Where do you stand when it comes to authority and power? Do you know how to handle it? Or are you one of those individuals who just acts without thinking? One of the false concepts of authority that led to its misuse and abuse is that power is synonymous with authority (meaning that they are the same). That is not true. I see this more and more in religious leaders and those who hold a position of authority in the church. Many people have come to see authority as a greater strength that is able to subdue others.
Allow me to share this with you. Power is the capacity to move something by force or energy, whether it is an object, an idea or a person. It is the ability to cause, activate, initiate, transform or impact. Power can be exercised through position, knowledge, strength, force, integrity, influence, personality or threats. But keep this in mind, power isn't the same thing as authority. The difference is that true authority is always sanctioned, or authorized. Whereas power can be illegitimate or even unauthorized. Do you remember what the devil told Jesus? Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
This temptation was an attempt to offer Jesus the King power by the wrong means. Always remember, Satan's methods involve a detour around God's purpose that He has for your life--an inducement to "take the easy way" to power.
Luke 4:5-6
~~W.R. Luchie
