Authority is most often linked to control, but it is seldom linked to freedom. But Godly authority encourages freedom because that is how God uses His authority.

When the word “authority” is used, it can mean… 

• Demand justification or evidence 
• State that a person has expert abilities and knowledge 
• Demonstrate power to decide 
• Grant freedom for others to act 

Even though each of those definitions is positive, do you view authority as positive? For most people, the answer is no.

Authority Is Misused

Authority is constantly misused, creating an image of harshness or abuse. It is also misused when seen as a person, meaning the person in charge. Finally, it is misused when someone with authority minimizes everyone’s freedom except their own. 

That is the behavior of most dictators around the world. They misuse the authority God has given them (Romans 13) and assume they are the authority. But they, like you, are not the authority. You, like Paul, are only a channel or steward of the authority given by God.

As a leader, you are only a channel of authority, a steward of the authority God has given you. There is no other authority other than God. But God uses good and bad people as channels of His authority in the world.

Authority and Freedom

The Greek word for authority is exousia, which indicates “freedom of choice.” So, a person with great authority has the maximum freedom of choice. On the other hand, the one under the authority most often has their freedom limited.

That is how it works in the world, but that is not how God wants His authority used by you – His channel of authority.

Since God is the only authority, seeing how He used His authority with us is wise. Here is a hint.

Galatians 5:1 (NKJV) – Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

Do you see it? God used His authority through the death of Jesus Christ the Son, to set us FREE! That means Godly authority encourages freedom, not control.

That means authority is definitely NOT about “ME.” It is not about your position or your power. Using authority correctly encourages, even creates, freedom of choice for those you lead and others around you. It does not mean that there are no boundaries or consequences for people who do not follow the rules. Authority used properly allows people to cross boundaries and experience the consequences – again, just like God deals with you.

Our Power is Unnecessary

When you understand that Godly authority encourages freedom and that you are only a channel of God’s authority, you can start using God’s authority more effectively. Notice how these ideas and principles appear in Paul’s approach to the Corinthian church.

2 Corinthians 13:2-4 (NKJV) – I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare—since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

2 Corinthians 13:2-4 (NLT) – I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that this next time I will not spare them. I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak in his dealings with you; he is a mighty power among you. Although he died on the cross in weakness, he now lives by the mighty power of God. We, too, are weak, but we live in him and have God’s power—the power we use in dealing with you.

What Paul says here may not be immediately evident, so here is a chart that will help.

The Context

The background or context is that the Corinthians questioned Paul’s authority. They did not deal with the people that were sinning as Paul had asked, because they did not believe Christ was speaking through Paul to them. Apparently, they did not believe that Christ was concerned about their sin, so they ignored Paul and, therefore, Christ. They also may have questioned the power of Christ to even deal with their sin.

So, Paul states that Christ “…is not weak toward you, but mighty in you.” In other words, Paul tells them that they do not understand who Christ is and His power. He goes on to say, and I paraphrase, “Yes, He died on the cross, which may appear that He was weak, not strong, but you are missing the power of God that raised Christ from the dead, and now He lives by the power of God.”

Share the Truth to Correct Error

So far, this is a good lesson for leaders to correct errors when noticed. Leaders are called to share the truth but are not responsible for the change in people’s lives.

Now it gets even better! Since the Corinthians were mistaken about the power of Christ, they were also mistaken about the power of Christ that was directed at them through Paul. So, my wording of what Paul says,

“Since you are mistaken about Christ – He is not weak, He is extremely powerful. So, you might say, I am weak, just like Christ is weak! But I do not need to be strong because Christ’s power will deal with you. Therefore, when I say, ‘I will not spare you,’ it means God will not spare you. I am not the power; I am just a messenger or channel of the power.”

What an amazing message for Christ-following leaders! If you rely on your power, you do it completely wrong. Be like Paul. He depended on Christ’s authority and power, not his own.

The Power Source Makes the Difference

There is a big difference in how the world views authority and how God sees it. The world’s view of authority has its roots rigidly attached to ME, pride, my position, and my power. Being the power or the authority is the primary focus of your sin nature – which is linked to the world system – which Satan rules.

Since Godly authority encourages freedom, God’s view is drastically different. The roots of authority are deep in God. Authority channels need to value humility because the authority is not theirs. It is God’s gift or assignment to you. It is not about you; it is about stewardship of God’s gift.

Along with that different view of authority comes the big difference between the world’s emphasis and God’s. Look at some of the differences below.

God's View Is Always Best

If you have the world’s view, your power source is you and your ability to control others. But God’s way is vastly different! Your power source is God, Who works through you.

We use a phrase when coaching leaders: "Always find the power from the outside, not from the inside.” That may sound strange, but it means you use the organization's rules, expectations, and values as the power source. You do not have to act powerful. Instead, you let the rules and expectations be the power. Using the rules as the power source, you do not need to depend on your persuasiveness or anger to get someone’s attention. You simply point them back to the organization’s values, which is the power.

You can try that approach, and you will notice that you have a better attitude when approaching someone who needs correction. Why? Because it isn’t about you against them or you the winner. It is about helping them remember what the organization needs from them. Leaders who know Godly authority encourages freedom become servants of God and people helpers.

Authority IS About Developing

When you accept your role as the channel of authority, you can focus on valuing and developing people instead of using your authority to control people. How then do you develop people?

Are you focused on developing people like the Apostle Paul did?

2 Corinthians 10:8 (NKJV) – …our authority, which the Lord gave us for edification and not for your destruction.

2 Corinthians 13:10 (NKJV) ...the authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Authority is NOT About Control

Unfortunately, most leaders are more interested in controlling people rather than developing them. And, control does work; you know that because you have done it. You may also know that control works primarily in the short term, relying on fear. If you can maintain a level of fear in people, you can control them until they are brave enough to fight back or rebel.

What control fails to create is self-governance. It can and does create compliance, but nothing more. Control creates a structure where people comply with the minimum requirements, but do not pursue excellence.

Control is a complete misunderstanding about how God wants you to use His authority. Remember that Godly authority encourages freedom, not control.

God gives you the freedom and encourages you to change (2 Peter 1:5). Following Him produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), which includes self-control, not external control, and that self-control grows when you are accountable for clear expectations and clear consequences.