Regarding the Strength of Man, we need to consider a series of dichotomies. But we need to establish a foundation first. God empowered man to function in dominion over the earth. Therefore, it is our God-given nature to “be strong.” Understanding what this means however is why we need to first listen to what God’s Word has to say about strength.

In Isaiah 40:29 we read that God is the source of our strength and that He will supply it in our weakness. “He gives strength to the faint and strengthens the powerless.”

We see this again in 2 Corinthians 12:10 “So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

And 1 Chronicles 16:11 “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek his face always.”

And Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.”

These verses all carry the significance of God’s Power and Strength, imparted to man if we seek Him as the Source.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:3, we understand that strength is given to us also as a function of defense against Satan. “But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” This means that our strength used for evil purposes is a great abuse of power, and we should expect that God’s offense would be “of Biblically epic proportions” – and we see this demonstrated throughout the Old Testament as God responds to evil abuses of power.

In Matthew 20:28 we read of the proper use of power by the perfectly complete picture of power and authority on earth – the man and Son of God, Jesus Christ - “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Our human level of comprehension tries to grasp this in the sayings like “meekness is power under control.” But we can state this more simply and accurately as “to be truly great, serve others.”

Finally, for this Biblical foundation to understand “strength,” we need to look at what scripture says about authority. Romans 13:1 says, “Let everyone submit to the governing authorities, since there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are instituted by God.” And Jesus responded to Pilate just before He was sent to the cross in John 19:11 “You would have no authority over me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin.” The scripture doesn’t require interpretation here. It plainly states that authority is the exclusive domain of God and may only be given by Him.

Now - let’s consider the ways we are challenged by the concept of strength. God intends for us to understand and use strength according to His purposes. Satan is intent on perverting man’s concept of strength so it will be abused – and offend God. The first duality of strength to understand is Purpose versus Perversion. Strength, as intended by God, will always have a purpose. A life of Godly strength will demonstrate submission to God’s will and extend our dominion over the area that He blesses for us to lead. Satan, through the ways of the world, teaches us to think about strength as “power” that we need to exert over others to demonstrate our dominance over them. This is a perversion of God’s concept of strength and is an affront to Him.

That leads to the second duality of strength: Service versus Domination. As we just noted, Satan’s perversion of strength in man is that he would dominate others. Christ showed us ultimate strength in His sacrifice for us, and in teaching us to serve others. That’s what we see in Matthew 20:28 as the entire purpose He came for. The perversion that Satan offers is appealing according to the standard of sin – let others serve you. And if they won’t, either give up and become lazy and wait until they do; or “use your STRENGTH” and force others to serve you – Dominate others. This is what Satan offers. This is the opposite of God’s plan for strength.

The final two dichotomies go together very obviously, but we need to be willing to consider them separately as we look at how they apply to our daily lives. Authority versus Power is the duality of strength through authority versus strength through power. First in Christ’s response to Pilate, and later in Paul’s clarification of our correct response to authority in the world, we understand that authority is only given by God. There is NO OTHER source for authority. When we demonstrate strength because we have the authority of God’s purpose in our actions and speech, we are demonstrating true strength. When we lack God’s purpose in our actions and exert control of a situation by our own power we do so without true authority. In this situation, our strength is subject to abuse, because we are not relying on God’s wisdom. This is the difference in strength that is Given versus Taken (the final duality of strength).

When we began to consider how to use the strength God has given us, we left the concept of muscles behind. Unfortunately, that’s not the way the world considers this. True strength will come when we use the authority we have, to serve others. That authority will come from living and relating to God in ways that honor Him. In so doing, He will grant us authority to extend dominion over the earth according to His plans. The worldly concept of strength doesn’t abandon muscles, or “power.” This isn’t to say that power is a bad thing – until it is misapplied. When is it misapplied? When it is used without proper authority. When we try to lead by our own power, we are “taking” control, and this is the abuse of our strength that offends God.

The conclusion here is that we should understand strength according to God’s design. In being and living as a man of strength, and in becoming the leader that God intends you to be, you should ask yourself:

1. Is this part of God’s purpose, or is it possibly a perversion because I am not including God in it?

2. Am I serving God and others through this act, or am I merely exerting dominance for my own gain?

3. Is this plan or action blessed by God and therefore under the authority He has given me, or am I acting on my own according to my own power?

4. Am I doing this because God has given me permission and a purpose in it, or have I taken control of this situation on my own without knowing that it is part of God’s purpose?

God’s Word shows us strength, purpose, power, and authority. Satan has no intention for us to consider God’s Word as he works to undermine God’s plans. His perversions began in the garden when he first lied to corrupt God’s words to Eve. It is no wonder that his efforts to pervert would extend to our ways still today. God remains our only defense. “But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3