Does Ability Pb To Sinfulness?

“For those who exalt themselves volition locomote humbled, together with those who humble themselves volition locomote exalted.” – Luke 18:14

Our default nature is to thirst for power. 

You bespeak only expression at the forty days Jesus spent inwards the desert every bit proof. How did Satan tempt Christ? He tried to capitalize on the human thirst for power—and the pride that drives us to demonstrate it. Satan origin told Jesus to assay he was the Son of God yesteryear turning stones into loaves of bread—an deed that would receive got demonstrated Jesus’ power.

But Jesus refused.

Satan offered Jesus all the kingdoms of the world—an chance for earthly esteem together with influence—if he would only kneel downwards together with worship Satan.

Again, Jesus refused. His pride didn’t compel him to assay his power.

There’s a argue Satan’s words were called “temptation.” Power is tantalizing. Intoxicating. Tempting.

But ability itself isn’t the problem. Just expression at King Solomon: He was famous for his riches, together with his elevate was known far beyond his kingdom. But God granted him this power, which he was expected to practise alongside wisdom.  

It’s when nosotros thirst for power, oft beyond what God has given us, that nosotros veer into sinful territory. This is the variety of ability that breeds pride. As ii Chronicles 26:16 says, “But when [King Uzziah] had choke powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall.”

Uzziah’s ability was God given—“the Lord gave him marvelous help”—but he began exercising this ability inwards prideful ways; he thirsted for privileges beyond what the Lord had granted him. Uzziah personally burned incense on the altar, a chore that was supposed to locomote performed exclusively yesteryear priests. His yearning for ability together with autonomy tempted him to assume he was higher upwards God’s law.

This is an unfortunately mutual subject amid Old Testament kings. King Jeroboam also burned incense, rather than commissioning a priest to produce then (and God paralyzed his hand). King David took a census—the modern-day equivalent of a draft—in a fourth dimension of peace, because he wanted to boast at the size of his army. (God struck State of Israel alongside a famine every bit punishment.) When Saul’s thirst for recognition led him to accept credit for his son’s armed forces victory, God ended his reign, since his catch no longer served God, but himself.

It’s non precisely kings who crave power. Adam together with Eve wanted knowledge—a shape of power—so they ate the forbidden fruit. The Jewish leaders felt their ability was threatened yesteryear Christ’s sway over the people, then they had him crucified. H5N1 thirst for ability is non to locomote mistaken alongside well for yous ambition. This is a want to play God. 

Most us no longer alive inwards a populace ruled yesteryear kings. But nosotros produce alive inwards the hierarchy of the workplace, where the thirst for ability is oft rampant. As frustrating every bit a power-hungry boss tin post away be, I believe we’re called to locomote merciful to these people. The thirst for ability is the grade of a fallen world, together with if your boss doesn’t know Christ, he’s precisely grappling alongside his sinful nature. His only nature.

This isn’t an endeavor to justify sinfulness. But it is a challenge to those of us who know Christ: Will nosotros reply to authorities’ attempts at ability alongside pride—or alongside humility? Jesus didn’t lay Satan inwards his house yesteryear shouting, “I could claim the whole populace if I actually wanted to!” He responded alongside scripture. He glorified his Father, instead of trying to assay his ain power, inwards response to Satan’s quest for it.

Our weakness is an chance for God to bring out his power. That tin post away come about only when nosotros humble ourselves—not when nosotros jibe 1 person’s attempts at ability alongside our own. Likewise, if God has given yous a seat of power, you're called to approach it humbly, every bit an chance to reverberate Christ, non to glorify yourself. Power itself doesn't effort yous to fall. But ability paired alongside pride does.