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Pastor Samuel Manyika
There is no word which is mentioned more in Pentecostal/charismatic circles than the word “power.”
It also goes without saying that most people love to hear the term because they associate it with the miraculous and immediate solving of their problems.
It is this simplistic, naïve and unquestioning attitude which has led to the abuse, inappropriate use and misapplication of the term and also the abuse of those who perceive the use of that “power” to be a quick antidote for their problems.
There is always a danger when an interest group is left to define something. They will always bring about a subjective definition linked to the furthering of their goals and objectives. For instance if one were to ask a boxer to define “power” they will likely do so within the context of a knockout punch!
A knockout punch solves almost all problems for a boxer and may bring fame and lots of money into their bank accounts.
If, however, you, the boxer, or anyone else decide to use the knockout punch outside a boxing ring you will go to jail.
This simply implies that though the knockout punch is a form of “power” it is not relevant to the solving of all problems or dealing with all challenging situations.
The definition of power commonly used in church, mainly in Pentecostal/charismatic circles is one popularised by evangelists and those mainly operating in the so-called power gifts or working of miracles category.
Their definition and perception of power is also confined to people falling during prayer, deliverances, instant healings and other such dramatic occurrences which also happen to be legitimate workings of God’s spirit.
Unfortunately their definition of power is not an accurate dictionary definition but a shallow, narrow interest group one, which may even be defined as ignorant.
The problems that beset man are not only directly associated with demonic oppression, sickness and other such phenomenon. A simplistic application of “evangelistic power” like the boxer “knock out” punch does not and cannot solve all problems.
Power can be political, spiritual, mechanical, electrical, a conferred legal right, intellectual, a capacity or ability to do something, the list is endless.
We also know that power is exerted where there may be some kind of resistance or need.
This in itself implies that the issue of relevant or appropriate power is crucial. You cannot use spiritual power where there is ignorance and illiteracy.
Under such circumstances you use intellectual and academic power. We know that God can impart knowledge supernaturally and miraculously when needed, but I have never heard of miracle degrees and doctorates except in the sense that the spirit of God can help a prospective student to overcome dullness and lack of comprehension while in the process of studying.
In as much as evangelists and miracle workers promise knockout punches for everything, a thorough research will confirm that after the big crusades and campaigns some got knocked out but the larger number realised that they had to go back home and allow the Holy Spirit and common sense to lead them to an appropriate power to deal with their situation.
Some who insisted on sticking to a search for the evangelistic knockout punch did not just get knocked out; they died because their situation needed just good medical advice not strong prayers, some lost their businesses because this was a situation where good business practices needed to be implemented or their pastor needed to counsel them on tithing and other biblical practices which are not the abracadabra miracle money type.
Some divorced because they simply needed knowledge to understand their spouse which takes time rather than a spiritual knockout punch; some were completely overrun by evil spirits because they did not necessarily need a dramatic deliverance but to grow in the knowledge of God’s Word so that they could resist the enemy causing him to flee.
During a women’s conference in our church recently, we set up a clinic, a legal advice desk and a desk for advice in education matters.
Whenever the teaching sessions stopped delegates had access to a doctor, lawyers and academics who would advise them on how to deal with relevant matters.
Several women were found to be with dangerous levels of sugar and other life-threatening ailments.
Many were advised on how to tackle legal issues saving them days and nights of fasts seeking divine help. All those who were offering these services got served and grew up in our church. Their qualifications empowered them to serve in this dimension.
Others got direct spiritual knockout punches like instant and dramatic healings during the conference.
God in his wisdom sent Moses into the Pharaoh’s house to acquire academic and intellectual power, no ignorant dummy can lead two million people.
You have to have organisational and administrative thinking capacity.
Egypt was the most advanced civilisation of that time and had good educational institutions. After Egypt he was sent to the desert to acquire spiritual power.
Because a famine was coming God sent Joseph to Egypt and through a process which was based on spiritual power, granted Joseph political power which was used to sustain Israel.
Esther, Nehemiah and Daniel all were empowered by the spirit of God to situations where they had access to political power.
We must always remember that the church and believers are built on the fivefold ministry gifts, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers, and Pastors.
A few years ago it became very fashionable to be called apostle, then bishop, now it is very fashionable to be called prophet.
I certainly accept and acknowledge that we do have genuine apostles, bishops etc around.
It is however foolish to think that all problems can be solved through a prophetic ministry only. Just because someone has a widely acclaimed miracle working ministry does not mean every other person will find solutions to their challenges there.
We must always allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us to solutions when we encounter challenges in our lives. God’s power points may not be so obvious but they are effective.
The Holy Spirit has a diversity of gifts which he uses as he wills for our benefit and God’s glory.
When you get married, you get a marriage certificate, if your husband or wife dies you take out that document, it is silent power, no one can challenge your claim to your husband’s or wife’s estate as long as you have a valid marriage certificate.
When you buy a house you get title deeds. As long as you have those you do not have to pray and fast to prove that you own the property.
Christians sometimes do not do what they have to do so as solve problems.
They do not engage in processes which guarantee stability in their lives because they look for quick “power fixes”
If you are a pastor there are some people you need to stop praying for, you just need to tell them to go to school.
Some people do not need prayer but they need to seat in one place and submit to some healthy powerful counselling.
The Bible even instructs us not to lay hands suddenly on any man.
The question is when you say “power” what will you be referring to. And is the power that you are applying to whatever situation you are going through relevant?
Pastor Manyika is Founder/Senior Pastor of Out for Christ Ministries and Living Word Churches International.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo