The Power of God and How Believers Can Access It

Power, in its truest sense, encompasses influence, authority, and ability. In the spiritual realm, it speaks to the divine capacity to create, sustain, redeem, and transform. Understanding how power operates in God's Kingdom—and how it differs from worldly expressions of control—is essential for every believer seeking to live victoriously and serve effectively.

God's Divine Power Revealed

God is all-powerful—omnipotent—and nothing is too difficult for Him (Jer 27:5, 32:17). His power was first revealed in creation, when He spoke all things into existence, creating them by Him and for Him so that everything remains under His sovereign control and is sustained by His powerful word (Col 1:16, 2:15; Heb 1:3; Rev 4:11).

This same power was embodied in Jesus Christ when He came to earth. He went about doing good and healing all who were under the power of Satan, demonstrating the Kingdom's authority over darkness (Act 10:38). The very reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's works (1 Jn 3:8). God granted Jesus power to give eternal life to all those the Father had given Him (Jn 17:2), and it was this same "incomprehensibly great" power that raised Christ from the dead (Eph 1:19-20).

God's divine power also brings salvation to sinful humanity, offering protection and everything needed for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him (Rom 1:16; 1 Pet 1:5; 2 Pet 1:3). We have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and transferred into Christ's Kingdom (Col 1:13). It is our responsibility to walk in freedom, not allowing ourselves to become entangled again in sin (Gal 5:1,16).

Do we acknowledge God's awesome power?

Today, Jesus delegates His authority to Christians to humbly do what He Himself would do—not for personal benefit, but for His Kingdom and honour (Mk 16:17-18). "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses" (Act 1:8). "For God gave us a spirit of power, love and of self-discipline" (2 Tim 1:7). He instructs us to act "in my name" because the Kingdom of God is "not just talk, but power" (Mt 28:18; Mk 16:15-16; Jn 14:12; 1 Cor 4:20). Yet this authority is not a formula to be wielded by those outside relationship with Christ. The seven sons of Sceva attempted to cast out demons "in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches," though they were not believers themselves. The evil spirit answered, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?" and the man attacked them so severely they fled naked and wounded (Act 19:13-16). It is essential to be in right relationship with Christ—abiding in Him, submitted to His Lordship, and walking in obedience—before His power can flow through us. Without this living connection, we have no true spiritual authority.

The Lord desires to show Himself powerful on behalf of those who live uprightly before Him (2 Chr 16:9). This includes those who recognise that the "arm of flesh" is powerless. God's power shows up best through human weakness, as we rely on Him: "My flesh and my heart fail, but God is the strength of my heart" (2 Chr 32:7-8; Ps 73:26; 2 Cor 12:9-10). We must take our humble place of submission and obedience so He can work through us. When we lay aside self-sufficiency and yield to His Lordship, we position ourselves as vessels fit for His use. When we live by God's power, we can help bring about His purposes (2 Cor 13:4). It is through the corporate church that God is moving to drive back the forces of evil (Eph 3:10).

Utilising God's Power in Our Lives

The world's way to gain recognition and power is to control people, seeking prestige, position and possessions. In God's Kingdom, greatness is outworked by humbly serving, lifting up the lowly and despised—even as Jesus did. He used His power to heal and deliver others, climaxing in giving His life as a ransom for many rather than ministering to His own needs (Mt 4:3, 20:26-28). The difference between these two approaches lies in motivation and the manner of using authority.

It is not about our limited human power. Rather, it is His Spirit working in and through us that is able to do much more than we ask or imagine, according to His power that works in us (Zech 4:6; Eph 3:20). We are merely vessels He desires to use to reveal Himself to humanity (1 Cor 2:1-5; 2 Cor 4:7).

There is always more divine power available to give us courage, confidence, boldness, insight and authority than we have currently received. We should never think we have all that God has for us. He is resident within us to help us live for Him and will also bring to life our mortal bodies (Rom 8:11; Eph 1:18-23). He works through us according to the level of our maturity, faith, holiness and expectation.

Power is to be used to bless others not control them

In our own human strength, we cannot stand against Satan's attacks. Yet in Christ we are more than conquerors over all the works of the enemy (Rom 8:37). Knowledge is power, for "The people who know their God shall be strong and firmly resist him" (Dan 11:32). The power to overcome Satan is "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of [our] testimony" (Rev 12:11). The words we speak have immense power. "The weapons of our warfare are not weak but powerful to the pulling down of strongholds" (2 Cor 10:4-5). We are to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power, and with His resources we are able to stand against the devil's schemes (1 Cor 2:5; Eph 6:10-18).

While Christian theology describes Satan as cunning, deceptive, and possessing abilities beyond those of humans, it asserts that Christ, regarded as omnipotent, holds ultimate authority. According to scriptural references (Job 1:6-12; Lk 4:6), Satan's influence is limited and permitted only under God's sovereignty. The New Testament recounts instances where Jesus, during His ministry, cast out demons and stated He witnessed Satan's fall from heaven (Lk 10:18). Christian doctrine traditionally interprets Christ's crucifixion as the decisive event in which the powers and authorities were overcome (Col 2:15). We do not fight for victory but from victory, standing in the finished work of Christ who reigns supreme over every principality and power.

The Proper Exercise of Human Power

Human power must always be exercised under the hand of God, whose power and love are equally balanced. We must always respect others as being created in God's image and never use power to demean them. Arrogance and pride reveal themselves as the abuse of power when one demands selfish ways without consideration of others or the overall benefit to society. The human touch of compassion is stated as "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Lk 6:31).

Manipulating people is another form of abuse, as it overrides their God-given freedom to choose for themselves and should never be condoned, inside or outside the church. Whatever level of power we have should facilitate us in being responsible channels through which God's love and ability can be demonstrated to help those who are powerless—the poor and needy—and not to cater to personal wants, lusts and desires (1 Cor 10:23-24).

Good leaders understand it is a privilege, yet a great responsibility, to exercise authority and control correctly. Haman used his position of authority for his own wrong motives, and it cost him his life (Est 3:1-7:10). With increased responsibility and authority there must come growth in humility and other inner qualities to handle it correctly. Power corrupts people who, because of their position, think they are above the law.

Although everyone is ultimately answerable to God, we all should be accountable to other humans too. To have true power, a person must also be under authority, for orders and submission flow down through the line of command (Mt 8:9). Unless a person has sound character and ongoing integrity, there is a strong possibility that the misuse of power will corrupt and become their downfall (2 Chr 26:16). The Bible states, "Greater is he who rules his spirit than the one who takes a city" (Prov 16:32). Remember, power was at the heart of Satan's sin—to be like God and acquire His power (Isa 14:12-14).

Power should be exercised for the benefit of others

All authorities have been established by God and given power to accomplish His purposes, and so must be respected and obeyed—unless they instruct you to do what is against Scriptural teaching (Jn 19:11; Act 4:27-28; Rom 13:1). God in His power is able to discern our problems, and the truth of His message, embodied in Scripture, can set us free (Jn 8:32; Heb 4:12).

Ignorance, inferiority, sin, and a self-sufficiency that we can manage without Him are what hinders God from working powerfully. He has put us in the body—the church—so together we can corporately manifest His power for His glory.

God says do not fear Satan and his agents who can only take our lives. Instead, have a holy respect for Him, as He can banish a person to hell forever (Mt 10:28). Satan still exerts his evil power as shown in occult practices, the havoc wrought when people are under demonic control, and the senseless misery inflicted on others by those with no regard for God and His principles.

Reflection and Application:

How does recognising God's omnipotence change the way you approach challenges and spiritual battles in your daily life?
In what areas might you be relying on your own strength rather than the power of the Holy Spirit working through you?
Are there ways you have sought power, recognition, or control that reflect worldly values rather than Christ-like servanthood?
How can you use whatever influence or authority you have been given to bless others and advance God's Kingdom?