Festus, Felix, King Agrippa, and the Jewish leaders were politically minded. A political mindset selfishly uses every chance, everything, and every one to maintain and gain power and control. A political mind uses power for selfish gain. Festus, Felix, King Agrippa, and the Jewish leaders were using Paul to either gain favor and thus power, or maintain power over their rivals. Ultimately, political-minded leaders become so self-absorbed that the society they use collapses.
Everyone to one degree or another is politically minded. Our fallen nature desires by any mean what we believe will be best for us. The extreme political mind will allow harm to others and even murder for selfish gain. This is the secret reason most human societies and kingdoms have collapsed.
Controlling and denying a selfish political mindset does not mean that I should ignore the care of the body gave me, though at times allowing myself to be crucified with Christ is needed. Nor does this mean that I should permit others to use me. It means is to deny self and seek good for others.
The Lord said, “It is more blessed to give than receive.” (Acts 20:35) Jesus taught, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) And Jesus taught, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)
Finally, Jesus taught his disciples the way to overcome a political mindset with this thought, Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:25-28)
