Power is not bad by itself. In the right hands, power can help people, protect people, and bring order where things are broken. But let’s be honest—power can also do something dangerous to the heart when a person forgets that they are still accountable to God and to truth.
The Bible says, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). In everyday language, pride can make a person stop seeing straight. They may begin to think their title, money, influence, platform, or position makes them untouchable.
We see this with King Nebuchadnezzar. He looked around at Babylon and basically said, “Look what I built by my own power” (Daniel 4:30). He was so caught up in himself that he forgot God was the One who allowed him to have authority in the first place. His pride got so loud that it drowned out reality. Eventually, God humbled him, and Nebuchadnezzar had to admit that “those who walk in pride He is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37).
Herod is another example. In Acts 12:21-23, the people praised him like he was a god, and instead of correcting them or giving glory to God, he received it. That is what unchecked power can do—it can make a person start believing things about themselves that are simply not true.
And that is when power becomes really dangerous. Truth starts sounding like disrespect. Correction feels like an attack. People who speak honestly become “the problem.” Compassion gets replaced with control. The person may still have the position, but they have lost touch with humility.
James 4:6 reminds us that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” That is a serious reminder. God is not impressed by a big name, a loud voice, a high seat, or public applause. He looks at the heart.
So the answer is humility. Whether someone is a leader, parent, pastor, boss, public servant, or just a person with influence in their circle, we all need reminders. Power is temporary. Character matters. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Real greatness does not have to crush people to prove itself.
So if power ever makes a person blind to truth, deaf to correction, and careless with people, it has gone too far. That is the moment to pause, humble ourselves, and remember this: every throne, platform, position, and opportunity belongs to God. Power without humility corrupts, but humility keeps power in its proper place.
Minister A Francine Green, August 2026