“Be followers of me, just as I also follow Christ.”
1Corinthians 11:1
“The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.”
Psalm 12:8
Those whom God puts in positions of authority have a great responsibility to be and to do good because they are in a position of influence. The ordination of God to be a leader brings with it power to move people, their thoughts and their feelings, not just the power to command, judge, and guide. But will the person to whom God gives power use it wisely, for good, or use it foolishly, for evil? If he uses it wisely, those under him will be and do good because his example has authority from God. If he uses his power from God foolishly, those under him will drift toward evil for the same reason.
This is why Paul exhorted the saints to “pray for all who are in authority”. He knew that “there is no power but of God”. And inasmuch as God has put them in office, those authorities have power that cannot hardly be resisted; it is the great power to influence others to do good, or to do evil.
