There is a quest for power in the Church because there is a desire for control. Christians want to wield power in the same way it is portrayed in the world or sadly, in the Church. Being powerful comes with more honour and glory, but we should give those to God who is the source of our power, rather than to ourselves.
In Christianity, we were endued with power when we received the Holy Spirit. However, we do not control the Holy Spirit and that has become less than enough for those who want more. We want more than we have been given and therefore we introduce strange doctrines and get exposed to familiar spirits while still mentioning the name of our saviour, Jesus. Finding out what He wants has become “hierarchical and bureaucratic”, instead we want to have control and dictate what we want at will.
Christianity is not a “get power quick” scheme, it is a “we have power already” scheme. However, we are to study the Bible, Fast and Pray to keep us close to God and build up our faith for results in our everyday lives. We pursue holiness and righteousness, we walk with God and become more like Him. WE DO NOT PURSUE POWER, but power flows from the relationship we have with God; from God through us!
Jesus went into the wilderness to fast and pray during which He overcame temptation. He did not go in to seek power but to seek God’s help for His Ministry. He came out of the wilderness in the power of the Spirit, because of what He had endured and overcome. A person who goes in to fast and pray with the agenda of power will find it in the temptations of the devil; the provision of bread, the miraculous appearance of angels to save a fall or the kingdoms and splendour of the world. Such a person will return with a deal signed with the enemy and not in the power of the Spirit.
Be careful precious ones, flee this ambitious doctrine of darkness. It is enough to pursue God; demons will flee, sickness will leave, and mountains will move. He will do these through us who believe.
Be careful precious ones.
With Charis,
May.