What’s your premise? ‘Cause Machiavelli had the right tactics

In 1513, Niccolo Machiavelli wrote a book explaining how a prince should acquire and maintain political power. As you know, the book was called The Prince and remains one of the most controversial books in history because it focused on practical, often ruthless tactics for survival and success.

• He said to build a trustworthy reputation but don’t be trustworthy.
• He said to avoid generosity because it promotes greed.
• He said if you’re going to hurt people, cripple them so they can’t hurt you back.

For all the controversy, it’s one of my favorite books. It asks the difficult questions… and answers them. Machiavelli told it like it is. Pragmatically. Bluntly. Brutally.

Trouble is, Machiavelli started from the wrong premise. He assumed the prince’s primary goal was to help himself. This wasn’t really a mistake – Machiavelli knew his book was for a selfish prince. He knew his audience.

He knew that human nature is selfishness. Machiavelli just took selfishness to its end and gave practical steps to achieve that end, regardless of laws or morals or empathy for others.

Machiavelli started from the wrong perspective, but after that, he was right on.

Which makes me wonder: even if we’re right on with the tactics, are we heading in the right direction? Are we starting the right way? Are our premises correct?

Because if they’re not, it’s going to be really difficult to serve.

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Check your premises. What assumptions do you have about God? What assumptions do you have about serving others? Do these assumptions line up with Scripture? Are they healthy?

(2) Change your premises where they don’t line up with God’s word. Your perspective is the most important part of serving others. Once your perspective is right, the tactics follow seemlessly. Unfortunately, it’s also the most difficult part. That’s why you and I need to focus on it so carefully.