The Seduction of Power: How Leaders Lose Integrity in Small Steps

In the book of Acts, chapter 5, we encounter a sobering story that disrupts the momentum of the early church. Ananias and Sapphira, a couple within the believing community, lie about a financial offering and fall dead as a result. The judgment is swift. The fear of God spreads. And while the headline may be their deceit, the real undercurrent is this: power mishandled in the sacred space of leadership will not be ignored by a holy God.

Leadership always involves power—whether you carry a title, a microphone, a bank account, or just the trust of others. And every leader, whether in ministry, business, or the home, must ask: What am I doing with the power I hold? Am I stewarding it, or am I subtly exploiting it?

1. Power Is Not Evil, But It Is Dangerous

God gives power. From Genesis to Revelation, we see Him entrust people with influence, authority, gifts, and leadership roles. But Scripture is also brutally honest about what happens when that power goes unchecked—Saul’s jealousy, David’s moral collapse, Solomon’s divided heart. In the New Testament, the sin of Ananias and Sapphira wasn’t just dishonesty; it was spiritual manipulation cloaked in generosity. They wanted the appearance of sacrifice without the actual cost. They abused the influence of their platform, deceiving not only the apostles but, in Peter’s words, the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3).

That’s what makes power dangerous—when it invites performance over authenticity, control over service, self-protection over repentance.

2. Power Must Be Crucified Before It Can Be Trusted

Jesus didn’t shy away from power—He redefined it. He washed feet when He could’ve worn a crown. He embraced a cross instead of a throne. He told His disciples, “The greatest among you must be the servant of all” (Mark 10:43–44). Before His resurrection, He submitted His will to the Father. That’s the path for every leader who wants to steward power without corruption.

You cannot lead like Jesus if you don’t first die like Him.

Every ambition, every desire to be seen, every tendency to manage perception—these must be nailed to the cross. Until then, power in your hands is a liability, not a blessing.

3. Confront the Corruption Before It Confronts You

No leader falls in a day. Corruption is almost always a slow drift—the justification here, the image crafting there, the isolation from real accountability. Ananias and Sapphira didn’t walk into the early church one morning and suddenly lie. The corruption began in private conversations and unexamined motives.

The most dangerous leader is not the one who makes mistakes. It’s the one who hides them.

To steward power with integrity, we must practice ruthless self-examination:

Why do I want this platform?

What do I fear people discovering about me?

Who do I allow to tell me the hard truth?

When was the last time I confessed something before being caught?

Peter didn’t confront Ananias with a leadership principle. He confronted him with spiritual reality: “You have not lied just to human beings but to God” (Acts 5:4). That’s the kind of clarity every leader needs. Your stewardship of power isn’t about pleasing people—it’s about honoring God.

4. Accountability Is the Guardian of Integrity

No one is above deception. Even Paul said, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Cor. 9:27). That’s why leaders need what Ananias and Sapphira lacked: accountability that’s both compassionate and courageous.

Who in your life has permission to check your motives? Who can ask you about money, pride, power, control, or sin without you getting defensive?

Accountability isn’t about suspicion. It’s about protection. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s evidence of wisdom.

Final Thoughts: Lead Like You’ll Answer to God (Because You Will)

Leadership is not a right—it’s a responsibility. And the higher the platform, the heavier the weight. The early church grew in both power and purity because the Spirit did not allow hidden sin to take root at the foundation. God still desires that kind of holiness in His leaders today.

So steward the influence you have with humility. Use your voice, your gifts, your leadership not to promote yourself, but to elevate Christ. Let your private life be more impressive than your public one. Let your stewardship of power be marked by sacrifice, service, and a trembling awareness that God sees all.

Because in the end, the greatest leaders aren’t those who hold power—but those who let God hold them.