Power to Force, Power to Free August 23, 2008. Two Edges of Power

Power to Force, Power to Free

August 23, 2008

Two Edges of Power

Types of Power

• PositionalPositional

Positional Power

• Pastor• Lawyer• Teacher• Coach• Caregiver• Doctor

• Therapist• Boss/VIP/Political• Husbands/Wives• Parents• Church Leaders

Types of Power

• Positional

• EconomicEconomic

Economic Power

• Use or misuse of– Money– Trust in managing funds

• Power through control of funds

• Giving or withholding money

Types of Power

• Positional

• Economic

• InfluenceInfluence

Influential Power

• Examples– Author of a book– Group membership– Force of personality

Types of Power

• Positional

• Economic

• Influence

• PhysicalPhysical

Physical Power

• Ability to force compliance through– Size– Strength– Or other physical means

Types of Power

• Positional

• Economic

• Influence

• Physical

• InformationInformation

Informational Power

• Control of people and events through– Giving information– Withholding information– Giving selective information

Types of Power

• Positional

• Economic

• Influence

• Physical

• Information

• Psychological / EmotionalPsychological / Emotional

Psychological Power

• Use of emotions– To dominate shame– To manipulate– To control

Types of Power

• Positional

• Economic

• Influence

• Physical

• Information

• Psychological / Emotional

• SpiritualSpiritual

Spiritual Power

• Use of spiritual influence or position to– Command– Demand– Demean– Force

Types of Power

• Positional• Economic• Influence• Physical• Information• Psychological / Emotional• Spiritual• SexualSexual

Sexual Power

• Sales and marketing

• Control over another– Sexual abuse– Incest– Molestation– Harassment

Do I Have Power?

• Everyone has power in some sphere– Parents over children– Siblings over one another– Peers over one another

Abuse of Power

• Force– Manipulation– Coercion– Threats– Deceptions

• Someone always gets hurt

• A worldwide problem

Abuse a Universal Problem

• Satan

• Garden of Eden– Adam and Eve

• World has continued to abuse and hurt

• Every system in the world

Every Human System

In the Lukan version of the [temptation] story, Satan shows Christ “all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time” and tells him that “all this domain and its glory” “has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish” (Luke 4.5-6). Jesus, amazingly, does not dispute Satan’s claim. The subversive implication, Jacques Ellul suggests, is that the devil is speaking the truth. All human systems of power and control, without exception, are seen as falling under the domain of the enemy.

Ron Osborn, The Christ of the Fifth Way: Recovering the Politics of Jesus

Misuse of Power

• Subtle– Passive-Aggressive, “Poor me…”– Introducing doubt

• Forceful– “After all I’ve done for you!”

• Dishonest, abusive, manipulative

Perverted Desire

… I want to make sure that God gets the glory. But there is a temptation I must guard against. The desire to magnify God’s character can easily and quickly become perverted, so that I seek the glory that belong to Him alone…

─ Dr. Patrick Morley, Ph.D.

Proper Place of Power

• God through Jesus– Did not employ power to benefit Himself– Took the position of a servant– Respected boundaries– Never forced anyone

• Choice and freedom are God’s powers– The essence of God’s love– God’s power is the power to give away the

power of choice and freedom

Examples of Abuse

• David and BathshebaDavid and Bathsheba

David

• Restraint in use of power– With Nabal and Abigail– With Saul

David

• Not so with Bathsheba– Ignored restraint and boundaries

• Unintended Consequences– Dishonored and misrepresented God– Cheapened the office of king– Murdered his friend Uriah (one of the “Mighty”)– Degraded himself– Dishonored Bathsheba– Lost respect of his sons– Placed the nation on a downward course

A Better Vision

• Recognize we could easily abuse power

• Let the Holy Spirit guide us

• Don’t become victims or abusers

• Be accountable

Principles

• AccountabilityAccountability

Accountability

“Whoever causes one of these little ones [new believers, those weak in faith] who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”

─ Mark 9:42

Accountability

The desire for egocentric greatness fuels both the world’s stunning accomplishments and its great sins. The craving to stand out, to be superior, to have people look at and admire us is part of the great rebellion of humanity against God.

─ Dr. George R. Knight, Exploring Mark

Accountability

Those who offended such “little” ones because of their arrogance or other attitudes and actions did not partake of the humble servant spirit of God’s kingdom…Jesus’ warning to the disciples is clear. They needed to employ their God-given blessings to build up the little ones rather than to injure them through arrogance or intolerance.

─ Dr. George R. Knight, Exploring Mark

Principles

• Accountability

• MutualityMutuality

Principles

• Accountability

• Mutuality

• RespectRespect

Principles for Abuse Prevention

• Accountability

• Mutuality

• Respect

• CollaborationCollaboration

Lessons from Ephesians

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Ephesians 4:1-3 NLT


With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

Ephesians 4:17-19 NLT


But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.



And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.



Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT


We are to…

“10Carefully determine what pleases the Lord… 15So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.”

Ephesians 5:10, 15-16 NLT


And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21 NLT

Jesus’ Power

Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. “What is your request?” he asked.She replied, “In your Kingdom, please let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left…”

Jesus’ Power

When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant.

Jesus’ Power

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:20-21, 24, 25-28 NLT

The Power of Love

The Power of Love

The Power of Love

Documents

Power to Force, Power to Free August 23, 2008. Two Edges of Power