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If you wonder how power can corrupt the soul, spend some time browsing in the Bible. There you will read true life stories of those who lusted after power, and the dreadful price each one eventually paid.

Lust for power and control began with Lucifer, the majestic leading angel created by our heavenly Father and His only begotten Son. Yet with all his advantages, Lucifer wanted what was not his - to be equal with the Son. Dreadful violence occurred in heaven with one third of angels joining Lucifer. Then after refusing all offers of forgiveness, Lucifer was cast out of heaven, and became "...that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world..." Revelation 13:9

As our planet’s history unfolded, Eve and then Adam gave into the desire to "...be like God..." Genesis 3:5.  Again and again we see the lust for power: Nimrod the mighty hunter and protector of the people after the Great Flood -  behaving like a god; King Saul - became paranoid about holding onto his power; the prophet Baal - thrilled to the worship of those who hung on his every word, the traitor Judas  - lusted after power and money, then sold our beloved Lord Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Lusting for power didn’t end with the last book of the Bible. You can probably think of a handful of names right now, perhaps even someone at your workplace or down your street! Perhaps you think of those people as strong characters, destined to lead people? Not according to  Erich Fromm, a behavioural scientist  from the 20th century who devoted his adult life to studying human behaviour. Fromm’s assessment: "The lust for power is not rooted in strength but in weakness."

Discussing the future of the human race, author Andrew Marshall notes: "Power alters the psychology of the individual that holds it. It is an extremely lonely condition, in which, once power is achieved, and with no more power to gain, the obsession turns to the preservation of power, and with that, paranoia of losing it.

And: "Power is a cancer; it eats away at its host. The greater the power held, the more cancerous it is, the more malignant it becomes."

How fortunate are those of us who recognise that God is the one true power in all the universe, He who has the power to save all who "...keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." Ephesians 6:10

References:

1.. Marshall, Andrew Gavin. "Global War and Dying Democracy: The Revolution of the Elites." Global Research, Global Power and Global Government, August 19, 2009. http://www.globalresearch.ca/global-war-and-dying-democracy-the-revolution-of-the-elites/14839. Accessed July 18, 2015

 

 

Posted: Sat 18 Jul 2015

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