Power is one of the most coveted commodities in the world, granting individuals the ability to impose their will and shape outcomes. It defines influential figures whose authority often goes unchallenged, whether in politics, academia, or social hierarchies. Even in criminal enterprises, power consolidates under a central leader. The central challenge associated with power lies in its potential for misattribution.
Power should always be grounded in God, as Jesus declared that with faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing is impossible. Certain individuals claim authority that is accepted without question, despite blatant flaws. Satan, as an adversary of God, challenges matters of power. This presentation explores seven crucial domains where power is manifested, along with its inherent risks.
- Education
In the realm of education, professors hold significant authority over learners. The approval of a professor in a specific field is essential for a thesis to receive recognition. The title of Professor can sometimes lead individuals to disregard even obvious shortcomings. However, modern technological advancements appear to have diminished the influence of professors. Although this shift remains unnoticed by many, education is rapidly moving away from acknowledging professors as figures of authority. Nonetheless, the ultimate goal of those seeking education remains the acquisition of the power associated with it.
Pitfalls
- Obsolescence of Knowledge: Rapid advancements can render traditional expertise outdated. For example, accountants who once relied on manual bookkeeping must now master digital tools like QuickBooks and blockchain-based auditing.
- Gatekeeping vs. Accessibility: While elite institutions maintain prestige, platforms like Coursera and Khan Academy democratize education, challenging the monopoly of traditional academia.
- Armament
Global dominance is often tied to military might, particularly nuclear capabilities. The U.S., with its vast nuclear arsenal, remains the world’s foremost superpower, while China has overtaken Russia as its closest rival. Nations justify arms proliferation as a deterrent, yet this perpetuates a dangerous cycle of mutual destruction.
Pitfalls:
- Existential Threats: The Cold War nearly triggered nuclear annihilation (e.g., the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis). Today, cyber warfare and AI-driven weapons add new risks.
- Moral Erosion: The pursuit of dominance through arms reflects humanity’s unresolved primal instincts, prioritising control over collective survival.
- Military
Military structures epitomise rigid hierarchies, where obedience to commanders is absolute. This system ensures operational efficiency but often stifles independent judgment. For instance, the U.S. military’s “chain of command” demands unwavering compliance, yet history shows the consequences of unchecked authority (e.g., the My Lai Massacre in Vietnam).
Pitfalls:
- Suppressed Critical Thinking: Soldiers may follow flawed orders due to ingrained discipline. The 2003 Iraq War, predicated on faulty intelligence, demonstrates the cost of unquestioned directives. Military power is copied in various other disciplines, yet carrying the possibility of invalidating other fellow human potentials.
- Wasted Potential: Rigid structures prevent lower-ranking personnel from contributing innovative strategies, as seen in the slow adoption of counterinsurgency tactics in Afghanistan.
- Sport
Athletes compete for glory, with Olympic gold symbolising the apex of achievement. The soccer legend, Peter Ndlovu and the Gold medalist Kirsty Coventry have a lasting admiration; their influence extends beyond sports into endorsements and cultural leadership.
Pitfalls:
- Fragility of Success: Even legends are not immune to decline. Lance Armstrong’s doping scandal obliterated his legacy, illustrating how power founded on deception inevitably crumbles. Celebrities often endure greater stress than ordinary individuals in society, particularly when confronted with disgrace.
- Psychological Toll: The pressure to maintain dominance leads to burnout, as seen with Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from tournaments, citing mental health struggles. The stress that waning legends go through is extremely unbearable.
- State Governance
Political power is intoxicating yet perilous. Leaders like Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe clung to authority for decades, suppressing dissent while their nations deteriorated. Conversely, figures like Nelson Mandela demonstrated how power, wielded with restraint, can heal societies.
Pitfalls:
- Authoritarian Traps: In Africa, leaders like Paul Kagame (Rwanda) blend progress with repression, stifling opposition under the guise of stability.
- Divine Pretensions: North Korea’s Kim dynasty cultivates a godlike status, illustrating how governance devolves into cultish rulership.
- Traditional leaders
Monarchs and chiefs retain cultural significance, even in democracies. Britain’s royal family, though ceremonial, wields soft power, while Saudi Arabia’s monarchy governs absolutely. Modern systems aim to transfer authority to citizens, yet tradition persists.
Pitfalls:
- Stagnation: Japan’s imperial system struggles to adapt to gender equality debates, as seen in controversies over female succession.
- Tribal Conflicts: In Nigeria, clashes between ethnic groups over traditional rulership (e.g., the Yoruba Obas) fuel regional tensions.
- Manipulation by politicians: In Zimbabwe, we have seen traditional chiefs being manipulated by politicians, corruptly controlling people for political expediency.
- Christianity
Despite Jesus’ teachings on humility, Christian institutions often mirror worldly power structures. The Pope’s infallibility in Catholicism or megachurch leaders, as known today, sways people away from God but to leaders (e.g., Joel Osteen), which contrasts with early Christian egalitarianism. Zimbabwe seems to be leading in this area, considering the sprouting of the likes of the Johane Masowe and various other cultish church groupings.
Pitfalls:
- Hypocrisy: Scandals like the Catholic Church’s abuse cases reveal how spiritual authority is corrupted. Sadly, the Roman Catholic Church leads in influencing authoritarianism in the world of Christianity. Various Church groupings are patterned according to Catholic structures, rather than according to the teachings of Jesus.
- Dogma Over Discourse: Critics of church orthodoxy, such as Galileo, faced persecution, showing how power resists reform. This does not mean such critics were perfect, as they bore their own flaws in the process. The misapplication is based on the principle of power. This is what has led to confusion in Christianity.
Ultimate Power Belongs to God
All temporal power is stewardship—whether used for good (Mother Teresa’s service) or ill (Hitler’s tyranny). Satan’s temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:8-9) underscores the peril of conflating divine purpose with control. He sought to intoxicate Jesus with power that naturally traps humans. True power, as Christ modelled, serves rather than dominates. Christianity is centred in humility, characterised in service, rather than dominance. Otherwise, if Jesus had been obsessed with power, He would not have yielded to the cross.
Key Takeaway:
Power’s ethical test lies in its source and application. Leaders must discern whether their influence elevates or enslaves—a choice echoing beyond this world. However, anyone entrusted with power acts as a representative of God, but without pontificating. Recognising this distinction is essential, as Satan also offers power in this world. The most critical evaluation lies in discerning the origin of the power being displayed. This poses a significant challenge, as ordinary individuals often struggle to assess accurately when overwhelmed.
The foundation remains rooted in Jesus’ teachings, appealing to reason and intellect rather than being swayed by physical manifestations. A Christian is enslaved to Christ, so that everything he or she does is for the glory of Christ. Hence, Paul said, “It is no longer I that lives, but Christ that lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). That person can never be obsessed with the consideration of power, just as the treatment of Jesus on the cross cannot be adjudged as power.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99
Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com for $6.99