The Lust to Rule Is in Our Midst

The Lust to Rule Is in Our Midst

Recently there have been instances of strife and discord in our midst because people have ventured into other people’s ministries, believing they are able to do a far better job. For a time it may appear as if they are right—and as a rule, there are others who support them, so factional infighting begins.

People will always go astray if they do not have God’s light. These difficulties also come from a lack of the knowledge of God. There is enough of Korah in each and every one of us to cause rebellion, unless we see that his kind of power belongs together with all the other principalities and powers that God overcame and made a public spectacle of on the cross. Give the lust to rule free rein, and you will see Korah in his true form. However, that person—no matter when he appears in the flesh—was already doomed to destruction hundreds of years ago.

From the beginning, God has chosen people for various tasks. Peter says, “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.” Acts 15:7 [Emphasis added]. God said to Ananias, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” Acts 9:15.

We see that God chooses certain brothers for certain tasks. If anyone tries by force to go beyond this election of God to supplant the one who is chosen, he is fighting against God Himself, the One who knows best how to use each individual.

After we have been enlightened, we are very prone to use that light to criticize our brother’s work. A person can work behind his brother’s back to make others critical of him, and then when the number of dissatisfied critics has increased sufficiently, they believe that the time has come for open confrontation. This is just like Korah, who in his day took with him 250 elders of the congregation and rebelled against Moses, saying, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”

Korah and his men were determined to rule. They knew the quickest way to get Israel out of the hot desert sand. They would show everyone how things should really be done, and done effectively. However, when God passed judgment in the matter, the earth opened its mouth and swallowed Korah and all the people who were with him, along with all their goods, and they went down alive to Sheol. Num. 16:31-33. “And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men . . . .”

Jude says, “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.” Verse 11.

The light that shines in the church enlightens many. However, their lives do not always measure up to the light that is shining for them. It is easy for sin in the flesh to assert itself, causing people to force their way into other people’s work in the strength of the light they have received. They begin to correct matters and straighten things out. The flesh is strong enough to empower people to go to any length to push their will through. The light shines clearly for them, but they have not suffered in the flesh to the degree that they themselves have ceased from sin. Their body, soul and spirit have not kept pace with their enlightenment. That is why such people do not hesitate to attack even those God used to bring them His Word.

Mme. Guyon says it this way: “There are three persons in the Divinity: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. These three are one. In order to serve in the right manner in the church, these three must also be made one in our body.”

This results in a true care, a fatherly care, because such a person has suffered in the flesh. However, anyone who has received light, yet has not been perfected through sufferings, will only become puffed up in his carnal mind if he attempts to lead and rule. Therefore we read, “After you were illuminated you endured a great struggle with sufferings.” Here is the secret: We are not supposed to use the first light to rule others, but rather let the light rule us so we are able to endure great sufferings in the flesh. Once we have faithfully come through these sufferings, we will be able to help those who are tempted, because we ourselves have suffered in the flesh.

God’s righteousness will not allow people who have a lust to rule to gain power. That is why we see that their rebellion is futile. It only labels them as rebels who need to be watched.

The angels of the churches in Asia Minor no doubt had many faults and were weighed down with many weaknesses. However, not one of them was removed because of incompetence. God’s calling and gifts are irrevocable. Anyone who takes it upon himself to remove the one whom God has appointed embarks upon a work that is doomed to failure.

If we are to overcome outwardly, each one of us must diligently seek victory within. God is no respecter of persons. No one should trust in his own righteousness; on the day of reckoning, that will not be much of a foundation. There is plenty of work to be done, work within God’s church and the work of drawing sinners to Christ. There is no need for people to use their time and energy figuring out how they can gain power. The first thing to do is to be reconciled to humiliation, and then wait until God exalts you. It is not he who honors himself who is approved, but he whom God honors.