The Desire to Rule Within Our Midst

Recently, there have been instances of conflict and disorder within our very midst, in different places, because people have pushed their way into other people’s ministries, believing they are far better suited for the task. For a time it can even appear as though they are right. They usually find several others who take their side, and then a power struggle begins.

Since people go astray when they do not have the knowledge of God, these delusions also come because of a lack of God’s light. There is enough of Korah within every one of us to stir up rebellion, unless we understand that Korah’s power belongs together with all the other principalities and powers that God overcame and made a public spectacle of, triumphing over them on the cross. If you give free rein to the desire to rule, you will see Korah in his true form. But this person—wherever he appears in the flesh—was doomed to destruction hundreds of years ago.

From the beginning of time, God has chosen specific 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.

The Lord said to Ananias, “Go, for he [Saul] 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 place himself above God’s election, in order to take that position for himself, he is going against God, the One who knows best how to make use of each individual.

After we have been enlightened, we are very prone to use that light to criticize our brother’s work. People can work behind their brother’s back to sway people’s opinions against him, and once the number of dissatisfied critics has grown 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 wanted to rule. Suddenly they knew just how to get Israel out of the hot desert sand, how to bring order and get things accomplished quickly. 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 their graves. 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.

When light shines in the church, many are enlightened; however, their lives do not measure up to the light that is shining for them. As a result, it is easy for sin in the flesh to assert itself, and then people force their way into other people’s work in the strength of the light they have received. They want to correct matters and straighten things out. The flesh is so strong, that if people are not able to force their own will through, they are prepared to push things to extremes. The light shines clearly; however, their suffering in the flesh isn’t complete, and therefore they have not ceased from sin. Their body, soul, and spirit have not kept pace with their enlightenment. That is why they do not hesitate at all to interfere and attack people, even those who have been instrumental in bringing them the word of God.

Madame Guyon expresses it this way: “There are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. These three are one. In order to serve in the church in the right way, these three must also be made one in our bodies.”

This results in a true care, a fatherly care, because they themselves have suffered in the flesh. However, if light has come, and the sufferings have not been completed, people who desire to be in charge will only become puffed up in their carnal minds. That’s why it is written: “After you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings.” This is the secret: You are not to use this initial light to rule over others, but rather let the light rule over you, so that you are able to endure great sufferings in the flesh. Once these sufferings have been perfected in you through faithfulness, you will be able to help those who are tempted, because you yourself have suffered in the flesh.

God’s righteousness will not allow such people who desire to rule to gain power. That is why we see that their rebellions are futile, and they mark themselves as agitators who need to be watched.

The angels of the churches in Asia Minor certainly had many faults and were beset with many weaknesses. However, not one of them was removed because of their 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 task that is doomed to fail.

If we are to overcome outwardly, each one of us must be diligent to be victorious inwardly. God isn’t partial. No one should trust in their own righteousness—that would be a poor foundation on the day of reckoning. There is plenty of work to be done, both within God’s church and with the work of drawing sinners to Christ, without using time and energy in contemplating how to gain power. The first thing to do is to be reconciled with the way of humiliation, and then wait until God exalts you. It is not the one who honors themself who is approved, but the one whom God honors.

[This article was also printed in Missionæren on November 26, 1917, and was signed: J. O. S. Skjulte Skatter.]