THE TWO VICTORIES: CONQUERING OTHERS OR TRANSFORMING LIVES?

A warrior may use physical violence, or may simply exercise power without regard for dialogue, consensus, or the feelings and aspirations of others. Such a person insists that their word must be final and that anyone who dares to disagree must be defeated, humiliated, or silenced.

Eventually, this warrior may stand on the podium of victory, celebrating a seemingly great achievement. Yet, looking back at the battlefield, they may see the lives lost, hearts broken, dreams destroyed, careers derailed, and divisions created. The wounds may persist long after the battle is over, affecting individuals, families, communities, and even generations to come.

Outwardly, the victory may appear glorious, but inwardly, the victor may struggle with guilt, regret, broken relationships, and a painful sense of emptiness. For what is the true value of winning a battle if, in the process, we destroy the very people and relationships that give victory its meaning?

On the other hand, there is a different kind of warrior: the transformational leader who chooses dialogue over violence, consensus over dictatorship, and reconciliation over humiliation. Such a leader understands that disagreement is not necessarily disloyalty, that listening is not weakness, and that another person's different opinion does not diminish their own authority.

This path is not always easy. Those who choose peace may be mistaken for cowards, and those who seek consensus may face even greater aggression from people determined to impose their will. Nevertheless, the transformational leader perseveres, seeking solutions that protect human dignity while advancing the common good.

When this leader finally stands on the podium of victory, the view behind them is different. Instead of counting the fallen, they can celebrate violence prevented, lives and property protected, relationships preserved, and dreams and aspirations given room to flourish. Former opponents may become partners, broken trust may be restored, and the future may hold greater promise for all concerned.

The first victory conquers people; the second transforms situations and builds people. The first may establish dominance, but the second builds a legacy.

True leadership is not measured merely by how many people obey us, how decisively we silence opposition, or how high we rise above others. It is measured by how we exercise power, how we treat those who disagree with us, and what remains of people's lives, dignity, relationships, and hopes after we have achieved our goals.

Whether in families, churches, workplaces, communities, or nations, let us aspire to a victory that does not require the destruction of others. Let us become leaders who have the courage to listen, the wisdom to seek consensus, and the strength to choose peace even when violence or domination appears to offer a quicker path.

The greatest victory is not standing alone at the top after defeating everyone else. It is standing together at the end of the struggle, with lives preserved, dignity upheld, relationships strengthened, and a brighter future secured for generations to come.

Elijah Mutua Kirima
Pastor
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD

 

UNDERSTANDING THE CHARACTER OF GOD CAN IMPROVE LEADERSHIP AND SOCIETAL DEVELOPMENT

Many believers grow up hearing that God is all-powerful and does whatever He wants, whenever He wants, including causing suffering, oppression, and what would be considered injustice by human standards.

This presentation of God has helped create the perception that kings and rulers, too, have the authority to do whatever they want without being questioned by their subjects. Such a portrayal of God has served the interests of some political and religious leaders by encouraging the masses to believe that leaders, as representatives or appointees of God, know best, act according to His direction, and should not be questioned.

It therefore follows that a better understanding of God's character and nature can improve leadership and development in societies and nations around the world.

ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVES: A GOD WHO UPHOLDS JUSTICE

Not all believers or theological traditions agree with the idea of an arbitrary or morally unchecked God. Many theological perspectives challenge the notion that God does whatever He wants, including causing suffering, oppression, and injustice.

Careful theological reflection reveals that God's omnipotence (all-powerfulness) is consistent with His omniscience (all-knowing nature) and omnibenevolence (perfect goodness). From this perspective, God cannot act contrary to His righteous nature, because injustice would contradict His character.

Throughout the Bible, people questioned events and circumstances, including those in which they believed God was involved. Such questioning was not necessarily a lack of faith, but an honest engagement with a God whose character is associated with justice. If people could question God, human institutions and leaders should certainly uphold justice, avoid oppression, and remain open to questioning and scrutiny.

While some believers find comfort in the idea of an unquestionable, all-powerful ruler whose plans transcend human morality, political leaders have sometimes exploited similar thinking to justify doing whatever they consider to be in the public interest. Understanding that God's character is inseparable from justice, mercy, and love can encourage leaders to do what is right and citizens to hold them accountable when they do wrong.

Many contemporary believers increasingly emphasize a God of perfect justice, mercy, and love rather than portraying God as the author of arbitrary suffering. This understanding can inspire people to demand the same values from their social institutions and national leaders.

While God calls us to pray for leaders:

1 Timothy 2:1–2

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

He also desires that people be transformed inwardly, willingly choosing truth and righteousness. A society in which people do what is right out of conviction, rather than fear or coercion, is better positioned to achieve lasting peace and development.

1 Timothy 2:3–4

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

When leaders fail to uphold justice, however, citizens must understand that they have a responsibility to speak for the oppressed and question those in authority.

Proverbs 31:8–9

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

If Abraham had the courage to question God:

Genesis 18:23

“Then Abraham approached him and said: ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?’”

Then we, too, should have the courage to question our leaders when justice is at stake, and our leaders should be humble enough to listen, respond, correct their mistakes, and do what is right.

ELIJAH MUTUA KIRIMA
Pastor
THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD

THIS PREACHER I STRUGGLE WITH.

 THIS PREACHER I STRUGGLE WITH

You listen to some preachers several times, sometimes even within the same sermon, and they seem to go full circle, contradicting what they said earlier.

They will say that death is of the devil and pray for God's protection against death, only to turn around and say that death is of God, who picks His “fruits” whenever He wishes.

They will say that suffering is not of God, only to turn around and teach that God causes suffering to teach spiritual lessons, test people, and break their pride.

They will say that God delivers from poverty but that at the same time He distributes poverty to his people as He wishes.

They will say that God knows what we need before we ask and can answer even before we pray, only to turn around and insist that we must pray harder, shout louder, fast longer, and demonstrate desperation to receive from Him.

They will say that the death of Christ broke the power of every curse, only to turn around and tell people that they are still under a curse, which can be broken through a good offering or other services rendered to the pastor or his or her church.

They will say that disease is of the devil, only to turn around and teach that it is an instrument in God's hands to accomplish His purposes.

These are some of the teachings I struggle with because they can leave believers confused about the true nature and character of God.

I appreciate the books I have read that present a God who is not the author of evil but is working to deliver, restore, and ultimately save those who put their trust in Him.

Although the Bible may appear to contain contradictions on these subjects, I believe many of these difficulties can be resolved through careful study, proper interpretation, and a deeper understanding of God's character and purposes. We must distinguish between what God causes, what He "permits*, what results from human choices, and what comes from the destructive influence of evil.

The Bible cautions us against carelessly attributing evil to God. James 1:13 says:

“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.”

Although this verse specifically addresses temptation, it challenges us to examine teachings that portray God as the source of evil without carefully considering what Scripture actually says.

First John 3:8b declares:

“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”

In the broader biblical context, the devil's work includes sin, hatred, and the absence of love, which contribute to much of the suffering people experience. The Gospels also portray Jesus confronting sickness, pain, oppression, and other forms of human suffering through His healing and liberating ministry.

Matthew 4:23–24 tells us that Jesus went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom and healing every disease and sickness among the people. People brought Him those suffering from various diseases, severe pain, seizures, paralysis, and demonic oppression, and He healed them.

Jesus' ministry therefore gives us a powerful picture of God's compassion towards suffering humanity. Rather than teaching us to view every sickness or tragedy as evidence of God's displeasure, His example invites us to respond to suffering with compassion, prayer, practical help, and hope.

Of course, not every question about suffering can be answered with a simple explanation. The Bible contains passages about divine judgment, discipline, testing, human responsibility, and the consequences of wrongdoing. These must be studied in their proper contexts rather than used indiscriminately to explain every tragedy that occurs.

If we believe that God is good, we should seek to understand His actions in a way that is consistent with His revealed character. Rather than using fear, suffering, sickness, death, or curses to manipulate believers, spiritual leaders should help people understand God's Word, grow in faith, exercise wisdom, and find hope in Him.

The pulpit should bring clarity about God, not confusion; freedom, not spiritual bondage; and hope, not fear-driven dependence on religious leaders.

May we study the Scriptures carefully, examine what we are taught, and hold firmly to what is true.

“Test everything. Hold on to what is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21

Elijah Mutua Kirima

Pastor

THE WORD OF GOD IS THE WILL OF GOD