Updated June 17, 2024.

In the great classic by J.R.R. Tolkien, we read about the great adventure of how the one powerful ring of Sauron, that was once lost, has been found by the slimy creature of Gollum, and then found, but the humble hobbit.

The entire trilogy captures our attention as hobbits, dwarves, kings, queens, wizards, and the common folk, are caught up in the drama as the story unfolds.

The one ring enabled the evil lord Sauron to control the world around him, and to keep others at bay. In the end, we know that the ring itself was destroyed in Mount Doom, and then the entire face of Middle Earth was changed, and the great dark force was destroyed.

Many seek power in this world around us. Some attempt to rule over others in our society in certain ways.

While no one has a special ring of power, there are other ways that skills that some possess in deception and in influencing the status quo.

For we have heard it said, “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely,” Lord Acton.

We perhaps know of many of the parallels that are seen between scripture and the Lord of the Rings, but there is something of importance that I wanted to say.

The ring itself was something of great power. It enabled whoever wore it to become invisible and to see into the enemy’s camp — and of course, poor old Frodo fell prey to the weariness of the ring as it burdened him, and the agony of being open to the dark lord’s eye also plagued him.

My point here is that we don’t need to wear a ring of power to possess great strength, skills, or knowledge. It doesn’t come as power in the form of a ring, but it is a force, a person; the person of God himself, in the form of the Holy Spirit abiding within.

And to top that off, we aren’t plagued by having this within us like the ring of power. It doesn’t cause us weariness, but rather, we are strengthened, upheld, and given victory because of it.

And, we can see into the enemy’s camp because of the wisdom and insight that abides within us through this great Holy Spirit.

There isn’t just one ring that can be worn by one person, but rather ALL can have this great gift inside them.

We don’t need to play riddles with a slimy creature to leave the confines of a dark cave. We don’t have to expect luck to come into our laps as we find a shiny object hidden among the marshes of a river.

We don’t have to cut off the finger of the dark lord himself to acquire a great ring.

In the great story of the Silmarillion, Feanor crafted the rings by containing some of the light of the great trees within them.

After thousands of years, they found their way into the hands of the dwarves, a wizard, a queen, and the dark lord himself.

Be very careful about those who speak of power, and how they may desire to wield it. It can be used towards good if they have the heart of humility and a servant, but woe to those who follow those who wield a corrupted sword and spirit.

First published, January 13, 2016.

~ Stephen Hanson

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Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the Lord is a special way in 1975 and has been prophesying regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are to be reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?