We are all familiar with the saying

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

– John Dalberg-Acton.

We also know that it doesn’t come from the Bible but from a historian, John Dalberg-Acton. OK, we know the first part, I had to look up who actually wrote it.

This is also the stuff God warns us about in Judges: that kings are not a part of the dream God has for creation. But we wanted them anyway. Trading not only liberty, but community for certainty and security.

Humanity continues to make this trade. Even as we know better.

Holding power like that, to reign supreme, even as a god, is not good for us or anyone. It is also the source of temptation, which should set off all the alarm bells.