71｜How to View Power and Hierarchy

In human society, power and hierarchy seem "natural and self-evident"; but from the perspective of the Kingdom, Jesus declared: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11). This means: The logic of power in the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Man is entirely inverted. This article discusses not politics, but the spiritual mechanism of the "Scarcity-Hierarchy Structure."

(1) Hierarchy Comes from the "Dividing Mind," Not from God

The root of hierarchy is not order, but the "dividing mind."

• Once there is division, there is high and low;
• Once there is high and low, scarcity is inevitably manufactured;
• Scarcity, in turn, breeds fear and grasping. Therefore, the hierarchical structure is essentially a collective psychological product driven by fear and scarcity, not a creation of God. God never commanded humans to rule over one another; instead, Jesus said: “Not so with you.” (Matthew 20:26).

(2) Hierarchical Systems Naturally Select the Most Scarcity-Driven People for the Top

In a system driven by scarcity, fear, and grasping:

• Truly abundant people tend to withdraw;
• Those who are most insecure and most in need of power to validate themselves climb to the very top. Because: Scarcity Mindset → Desire for Control; Fear → Desire for Power; Ego → Desire to be Seen; Alienated Self → Desire to stand above others. Thus, the hierarchical structure naturally promotes those who most need power to fill their internal void. Jesus said: “What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15). This is a theological critique of the "selection mechanism of hierarchy."

(3) We Treat Leaders as "Substitutes for Fear," Rather Than "Agents of God"

Why does humanity always crave "Strongman Leaders"? Because internal fear requires a "substitute god." In ancient times, it was kings and heroes; in modern times, it is the powerful, capitalists, and thought leaders. The more fearful a group is, the more they need someone who "seems omnipotent." But this image of omnipotence is essentially an idol created by projecting one's own fears and expectations onto a person. And those most likely to become "idols" are often: more self-inflated, more internally scarce, more intensely demanding, and further from God while relying more on the self. This explains why nations, companies, and organizations are often held by the paranoid, the extremist, and those with a supreme obsession for control. Jesus' evaluation of such leaders was sharp: “They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15).

(4) The Reversal of the Kingdom: The Higher the Kingdom of Man, the Smaller the Kingdom of God

In the system of the Kingdom of Man:

• Those who can best manipulate others are considered "greatest";
• Those who can best grasp resources are considered "successful";
• Those best at performing, packaging, and self-promotion are most admired. But in the Kingdom of God, Jesus declared the opposite: “The greatest among you should be like the youngest.” (Luke 22:26). “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26). What God values is: an abundant heart without scarcity; a humble and soft spirit; those who do not need to control others to validate themselves; those willing to let God work rather than letting the Ego expand. Therefore: those who are "highest" in the Kingdom of Man are often furthest in the Kingdom of God; those who are "least noticeable" in the Kingdom of Man are often closest to God’s heart.

(5) True Leaders: Are Those Who Do Not Want to Be Leaders

A person determined to grasp power is inevitably carrying scarcity, fear, control, and inflation. True spiritual leaders, however:

• Do not strive, grasp, or self-exalt;
• Do not need titles to validate themselves;
• When nominated, their hearts desire to withdraw to the background;
• Lead others with abundance, mercy, and wisdom;
• Do not lead by "control," but by "letting life flow." Jesus Himself is such a leadership model: He is not the center of power, but the center of Love. In real-world politics, such people are often not easily elected; yet the few such leaders truly chosen in history have indeed changed the course of human society.

Summary｜Original Doctrine 71

1. Power in the Kingdom of Man is a product of fear and scarcity, not God’s design.
2. Hierarchical systems naturally select the most scarcity-driven people for the top.
3. The Reversal of the Kingdom: the self-exalted are humbled, and the humble are exalted.
4. True leaders are those who do not pursue leadership positions, for they do not need power to validate themselves.

In one sentence: Hierarchy is a product of scarcity, power is a product of fear, and the Kingdom of God is the kingdom that inverts all earthly power structures.