You Call Yourself a Christian

Power-Hungry Men

​We live in a world obsessed with power. From the highest offices of government to the corner office of a corporation, the pursuit of dominance often defines success. Tragically, this hunger for authority has not spared the Church. We have all seen the headlines and the disheartening stories: leaders—men who stand in pulpits, host large ministries, or shepherd congregations—who wield their spiritual authority like a worldly scepter. They call themselves Christians, yet their lives betray a deeper loyalty: a devotion to power, control, and self-aggrandizement.

​How should we, as followers of Christ, view and respond to this dangerous hypocrisy? We must look to the Scriptures, which offer a clear, convicting, and counter-cultural view of true spiritual leadership.

​The World's King vs. The King of Kings

​The core of the issue is a fundamental confusion about the nature of the Kingdom of God. The world defines power as dominance, coercion, and luxury.

​When the disciples James and John asked Jesus for the seats of honor in His future kingdom, Christ offered a profound rebuke that should be etched into the mind of every aspiring leader:

​"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—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." (Matthew 20:25–28, NIV, emphasis added)

​The Christian's pursuit is not power; it is service. A leader who lords it over others is operating on the system of the Gentiles, not the system of Jesus. The model for all Christian authority is not the Roman Caesar but the Christ of the cross—a King who washes feet and willingly lays down His life.

​ The Warning Against the Shepherds

​The prophets of the Old Testament reserved some of their fiercest condemnations for the spiritual leaders—the "shepherds"—who used their position to exploit the flock.

​1. Feeding Themselves (Ezekiel 34)

​The most vivid indictment comes from the prophet Ezekiel. God’s complaint against the shepherds of Israel was that they were feeding themselves instead of the sheep:

​“Woe to the shepherds of Israel who only take care of themselves! Should not shepherds take care of the flock? You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not feed the flock.” (Ezekiel 34:2–3)

​A power-hungry leader is one whose primary concern is the increase of his own platform, wealth, or comfort. His decisions revolve around retaining control and extracting resources (financial, social, or emotional) from the people he is meant to nourish.

​2. The Lust for Control (3 John 1:9–10)

​In the New Testament, the Apostle John identifies a specific individual, Diotrephes, whose character perfectly embodies the power-hungry spirit:

​"I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will not welcome us. So when I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the brothers, but he also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church."

​Diotrephes’ sin was not a theological error; it was a lust for precedence—he "loves to be first." The result was a controlling, divisive, and toxic atmosphere where he used intimidation and exclusion to maintain his own authority. This is the fruit of unchecked Christian ambition.

​ How to Spot and Follow True Leadership

​If power-hungry men are counterfeit Christians, what does the genuine article look like?

​The Apostle Peter gives us the definitive characteristics of true pastoral leadership, providing a vital filter through which we must evaluate all who claim spiritual authority:

​"Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." (1 Peter 5:2–4, emphasis added)

​The true shepherd is defined by three things:

​Attitude: Leads willingly, not out of coercion or obligation.

​Motive: Leads with an eagerness to serve, not for money or personal gain.

​Style: Leads by example, not by domination or control.

​Call to Action

​If you see a leader focused on the platform rather than the people, driven by personal wealth rather than sacrificial service, or characterized by control rather than humility, we have a biblical imperative to exercise discernment.

​We are called to love, but we are also called to guard the integrity of the Gospel. Let us pray for those who have fallen prey to the seduction of power, and let us commit ourselves to following only the model given to us by Christ: The greatest among you will be the servant of all.

​Which biblical leader or story best illustrates true servant leadership to you? Share your thoughts in the comments below.