The word Istari in Quenya means "Wise Ones" not wizard, in the sense of someone who could command "magic." The Istari were not magicians or sorcerers. They came to inspire the people of Middle-earth to fight back against the evil that was threatening to conquer them, therein lay their powers. All the strength that was given to them was for that ultimate purpose. They only used their powers in the defense of the Free Peoples, and that is why it seems like Gandalf "rarely" uses his powers in the Books. He only used them when he absolutely needed to.
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But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.
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