There are only two sources of power, namely good and evil. Evil can exert its tentacles in very subtle ways. Evil loves power in a greedy self-serving way. When left unchecked evil will eventually show its full colors in its insatiable quest for more.
The godly kind of power grows with learning, humility and recognition of love. I Corinthians 13 sits like a diamond between two chapters outlining the existence and use of the power of God through the gift of holy spirit. This kind of power is fulfilling and peaceful.
We should never be afraid to be assertive with the truth, but we need to be assertive from the power base of God. Ephesians 6 talks about 'putting on the whole armor of God '. Christians are not wimpy; they are bold and fearless when they recognize that God has their backs in righteous correctness. That is what it means 'to grow up into him' (Ephesians 4:15).
'Political correctness' functions to stunt maturity; righteous correctness causes growth. Poor leaders demand loyalty, Great leaders encourage interaction, learning and respect. Poor leaders dampen innovation, great leaders encourage it. Great studies on leadership abound in the Bible. Compare the interactions of Moses and Pharaoh, David and Saul, Jesus and the Pharisees. Much is written about their interactions.
We learn to be assertive with confidence and and love. Assertiveness tempered with patience allows people time to unwind their own thinking. Gossip has no function in relationships; neither does thinking evil or 'vain imaginations'. Certainly, we need to recognize evil when it is in front of us and seek God's solution in handling it.
No comments:
Post a Comment