The Right Power

Power is a dirty word for many Christian people. To them, it evokes images of abuses of power: rigid authority, influence through violence, might makes right. Plus, doesn't the Bible tell us to turn the other cheek? To exercise power, then, is something that many Christians are leery of.

It is not correct to oppose such a viewpoint by simply wagging the finger and saying, "Don't be such a wallflower!" That sets up a certain standard -- not being a wimp -- and evaluating the truth against that standard, rather than vice versa. If we are truly called to be wimps, then wimps we should be, societal norms be damned.

But that's not what I'm saying. It is not the exercise of power that is evil, in my read of the Bible, but the abusive exercise of power. We are certainly to say no to sinful displays of influence -- intimidating others, practicing corruption, or relying on human wisdom or strength. But the Bible gives us many examples of godly exercise of power. Paul exhorts Timothy away from timidity and toward powerful exercises of the leadership skills he has been given to use. We can and should wield influence to fight for issues of justice, and many righteous people have. Whatever the cause -- slavery, civil rights, world hunger -- and whatever the instrument -- hunger strikes, petitions, advocacy -- power was exercised and it was a good thing.

So let's no throw out the baby with the bathwater. Let us as Christians say no to abusive exercises of power, and let us find righteous ways to wield influence for the sake of the Kingdom.