Depower

I’m not a pastor, but in this post I plan to use a ‘pastoral privilege’. I need to make use of a couple of uncommon words. One might even venture to say that I made this word up. Thing is, the pastoral privilege of creative wording isn’t a carte blanch allowance to spout jibberish, it’s simply a matter that when used rightly, it brings the message to life.

When I think of the Christian Walk, it’s an absolutely amazing thing. Jesus didn’t only provide Himself as the perfect sacrifice for us, but He also lived as the perfect example and He has given us ALL things that pertain to life according to 2 Peter 1:3. The biggest ‘Thing” that He’s given us is the gift of the Holy Spirit which Christ Himself in Acts 1:8 said would be POWER. And here’s where we set up camp today – understanding the uses of this power.
Most people see this power as linear. Its intent and availability to give us things and make things happen; boldness, courage, endurance, patience, stronger faith, wisdom, etc.

However, using simple mathematical deducery(that’s one), you realize that this power afforded to us is also intended and useful to tear things down…. In a good way. The fruit of The Spirit needs to be empowered, the influences of the old self, need to be depowered.(and there’s the other).

Here’s The Word:

Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Think about it like this – When Christ died and rose again, He took the sting of death and made an open spectacle of the principalities and powers. You could say that IN His power, he depowered the forces of evil. This same power that raised Christ from the dead is now at work in us and I don’t mean to make it sound effortless, but we do have the power to not live under the former principalities and powers.

I needed to use depower because I needed a word that conveyed a different idea than to power down, or disconnect. I needed a word that didn’t convey evading or dismissal. I needed a word that clarified an active “lessening” and overcoming of a real power with a better power. In Christ’s gift of the Holy Spirit to us, we have been given the power to depower.

2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Fasting depowers the influence of flesh
Worship depowers the influence of self
Trust depowers independence
Study depowers ignorance

Wisdom depowers uncertainty
Grace depowers self-sufficiency
Accountability depowers arrogance
Love depowers indifference

Sacrifice depowers expectation
Impurity is depowered by consecration
Patience depowers anxiety
His will, His time is alright by me.

Faith! You bet it depowers fear,
You don’t have to see, to know He’s near
Just as reliance depowers want
Humility depowers the desire to flaunt

Soberness depowers self-exaltation
Recognizing His Sovereignty depowers idol creation
Gratitude depowers entitlement
Mercy depowers unshakable guilt


Giving depowers fear of lack
You can’t out give God
He gives it back.

John 3:30 – He must increase, I must decrease

1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

We have the power to “having done all, to stand”. We have the power to lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us and the power to live as conquerors. This is not 'unplugging'. This is not power that makes things happen with no involvement, using the power to depower involves a fight. It takes sincere commitment and serious effort. But I'll say it in a way that paraphrases the previous verse in 1 Corinthians, the power in me is stronger than any power outside of me and I will prove my ability to not be controlled by anything but God.
The previous list is not exhaustive. Feel free, if not also somewhat obliged to look at your life and identify things that need to be depowered.

In Him,
Cros