Many people see power as a positive attribute possessed by someone with charisma, great wealth or influence. Yet power – real power is about the transformation of a person’s life. Satan has power. He can imitate and impersonate an angel of light because he used to be one and remembers how to do it. He deceives people by pretending to be an angel of light but in reality, he is a minister of evil and darkness. How can you know? Because his power can only pretend to be what God really is. In the end, he cannot create or transform anything or anyone. Satan can only destroy and diminish, and then only as God allows him to do.
People, like all sheep, can be persuaded by the loudest voice, the most attractive face, or the biggest pocketbook. But when the charisma has faded and celebrity is old an emptiness remains. Why because it was not creative or transformative power it was only an attraction to what appeared or sounded good.
People say things like, “He/She is a really powerful Christian”, or “That was a powerful word”, etc. Yet if the person fails to demonstrate a transformed life created in Christ, or if the words do not inspire you to be transformed by the renewing of your mind – what kind of power are you talking about.
Paul tells of the day will come when people will no longer endure sound doctrine, but instead, they will run after anything that tingles their ear with the sound of “hey there’s something new over here”. The sad thing is eventually you’ll get worn out from all that chasing but never benefit from what you heard because you didn’t settle in long enough for it to change your life.
2 Tim 3 says, “1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Real power changes your character, motives, and behavior. Last time I checked only a saving encounter with Jesus Christ can do that.
Be wary of people always talking about power but don’t show some sign. Reject the counsel of those who would seek to be leaders or influential yet provide no genuine spiritual maturity and behavior. They are false prophets (claiming to speak for God but deny him in works), clouds without water, (bringing no spiritual refreshing on their own) whited sepulcher (tombs – places for the dead that are clean on the outside but have no life in them).
How can you tell the difference? Simple, first test what they say by the Word of God and whether or not they agree with God (Let God be true but every man a liar). Second, check their fruit to see if it is spiritual fruit from the Holy Spirit or earthly/worldly fruit of the flesh. And finally, try everything by the Holy Spirit – He never fails.
Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech ye therefore brethren, by the mercies of God that you present yourselves a living sacrifice holy and acceptable unto God for such is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”
Christ is the author of the genuine life-changing power. The Holy Spirit is the power link to Christ. The Word of God is the instruction manual. The people of God are to demonstrate this power through faith, obedience, devotion, and service to the Lord.
If you want to see real power, look beyond the words, look at what matters. Look for the transforming work of Christ. That’s the real power.