Written By: Veronica Johnson, Licensed Psychologist
November 4th, 2025
Empowerment?
Anytime we strive for empowerment, I would like us to reflect on two questions: Empowerment to do what? Empowerment over whom? For bonus points, consider these questions with someone who can be totally honest with you.
Power is one of the things-that-can-go-very-wrong. A pastor friend of mine told me that when male pastors make big mistakes, it’s typically on account of girls, gold, and glory (women, money, and power). Of course, he had three points that all start with the same letter because he was a pastor and that’s just how they talk! That point aside, pastors aren’t the only ones to fall on account of power.
Any time a person or group comes into power, it can cause big problems. You’ve heard the phrase Power corrupts, and it is a phrase you’ve heard because it holds some truth. It’s also true that those who were once oppressed tend to become oppressors (think of a child who is abused that then becomes a bully). Empowerment doesn’t necessarily lead to a good end.
- Power to do what?
- Power over whom?
Instead of thinking of ways to become empowered, I like the way The Bible Project explains a different way of life in this video on justice. The goal isn’t empowerment, it’s about loving our neighbor as ourselves.
If empowerment is necessary, may it be used to love others. If we must be empowered, may we be empowered to “put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13).
