Wherever there is a government of man, it tends to expand its power and responsibility as the governed surrender their liberty for the sake of being cared for, a phenomenon known as a Nanny State. The church is not immune to this pressure, and Jesus Christ's instruction in Luke 22:24-26 shows that when this occurs, those involved behave like Gentiles, acting as people who do not know God. The issue of Nannyism is not solely with those in authority; the actions of the people often invite the government to assume responsibilities that are not rightfully theirs. When a people are rebellious, they provoke a crushing response, and when they refuse to work for themselves, they encourage the government to enlarge itself to provide what the people should handle on their own. Paul addressed this mindset among some brethren in Thessalonica, reminding them that if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat (II Thessalonians 3:10). Similarly, in writing to Timothy, Paul equates Nannyism to Gentile conduct, stating that if anyone does not provide for his own, especially his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (I Timothy 5:8). The solution to the Nanny State lies in self-government, where people exercise self-control. When the people govern themselves, there is no need for a controlling government to enforce order. Likewise, if leaders govern themselves instead of lording authority over others or acting as benefactors, the people will neither rebel against oppression nor fall into decadence and complacency from having everything done for them. In the church, we have been given the means to govern ourselves through God's Spirit, which brings liberty where it is present (II Corinthians 3:17). The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control (Galatians 5:23), and where the Holy Spirit works, both people and leaders are self-governing. This eliminates the need for heavy-handed external enforcement or fear of leaders, allowing liberty to flourish as everyone practices forbearance and patience, giving space for growth and character development. In the church of God, if we have the Holy Spirit, we possess the means to control ourselves and thus to be free. Even though external control may be imposed, as seen in the lives of Jesus and the apostles who were subject to governing authorities, where the Holy Spirit is active in both leadership and the people, heavy-handed external control becomes unnecessary. This aligns with God's purpose of bringing many sons to the same glory and liberty that He possesses.

The concept of a Nanny State describes a government that over-regulates individuals to enforce its own vision of utopia through legislation, rather than allowing personal choice. Human governments, unable to change hearts, resort to controlling behaviors. Meanwhile, citizens, seeing a nation in chaos, demand action from leaders, electing those who promise change through laws, gradually eroding freedoms. Many also expect the government to provide for their needs, seeking healthcare, childcare, retirement, and education, thus fostering policies of redistribution akin to socialism or communism, where the state decides fairness in distribution. Wherever human governments exist, pressures mount for the responsibilities of the governed to shrink while those of the governor expand. Similarly, the church faces pressures to become a Nanny Church, with some leaders acting dictatorially and some members expecting the church to cater to their needs. God, however, is creating man in His character image, requiring mankind to have the freedom to choose between life and death, blessing and cursing. If every action is controlled, whether by God or human authority, character cannot develop. Jesus Christ taught that unlike the Gentiles, who rule by lordship and authority, often seen as benefactors enforcing order through force or providing for dependency, His followers must not govern in this way. Instead, those with authority in His church must serve, not rule, helping members grow toward the fullness of Christ without imposing control or doing for them what they should do themselves, as such extremes hinder character development for eternal life.