Becoming A Person Of Positive Influence
posted by Osax at 07:14:19 31.10.2013 “In Him was life and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome, understand or quench) it” (John 1:4-5). The battle Between Light and Darkness has been the battle of influence throughout the history of mankind. Part of God's purposes for our lives is that we should influence others. This word 'influence' signifies our purpose on earth. Some influence can matter for eternity; not just for now. God's influence through us has an eternal purpose at its end.
Influence: this word has been around for a long time and its effect is seen throughout history. Both positive and negative influences can be seen to characterise the history of mankind. Good people have an effect on others for good and bad people have some influence that turns out bad. Everybody is being influenced by someone or something no matter who you are. Nobody is an island unto themselves. We see it all around us. Everyone is also contributing something to influence others. The question is not if we will influence others but rather what quality of influence we will generate in the lives of others.
On a more personal note, our success in life is very dependent on our ability to influence others. Leadership expert, John Maxwell, says leadership is influence and claims that your leadership lid can determine the level of success you can attain in life. A baby learns the power of influence as he cries for attention, young lovers learn how to influence loved ones and parents seek to influence their children for their good. We all need to influence and are influenced by others in many areas of our lives. We need to be careful how we influence others and how we allow ourselves to be influenced by others. Christians are left on earth by God to generate a godly influence which is so powerful that its effects are seen all over the world. God has given us all the ability to influence and be influenced and how we exercise this potential power is up to us. If we harness it for good, we are successful, otherwise we shall only have ourselves to this potential power given to us by God and use it for His glory, the good of mankind and our personal fulfilment as we fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives.
What Is Influence?
To influence is to change people's thoughts, actions and beliefs. “Hard power” for influence is when we use hard consequences like punishments or repercussions that are not desirable. When authority is exercised with this in mind there is power to influence but the heart is not necessarily touched. With “soft power” we receive influence that touches the heart; not just the mind. When there is a possible penalty meted out by a person in authority as the basis for the influence, we can call that “hard power”. There are times when that is the right kind of influence to use. So many times, that kind of influence can bring corrections and adjustment to young children. “Soft power” is when the heart is touched and there is willingness to be influenced from the heart of a person. Amongst nations, we see the use of sanctions as a means of influencing some changes in these nations, through the use of “hard power”. The question is, when is 'hard power' less or more effective than “soft power?” In this study we shall be looking at “soft power” for influencing others.
We influence people through writing, speaking and acting. It is up to us to use our influence for godly purposes and for His kingdom. How do we get people to change their thoughts, actions and beliefs? We cannot unless they give us the “permission” to do so. The question is, how do we earn that “permission?”
When we connect with people, care for them and are sensitive to them and their needs, then they see that we value them and they give us the gift of influence. “I am going to allow you to lead me” - that is the gift of influence. It is when people are willingly agreeing with you and going along with you with all their heart. People tend to trust you as they come to know you. Then they tend to distrust you as you abuse their trust. This is true in marriage, in church leadership and in business. We walk into every new relationship with a certain amount of trust equity by default. What we do with it makes all the difference. We need to invest wisely!
Character And Skills
There are two basic reasons why people will allow you to influence them: character and skill. Who we are is our character and what we can do is our skill. Our being and doing are two areas where we generate great influence. High skill and high character will lead to greater influence. Some of the character traits that people like to follow are as follows: Integrity, generosity, gratitude, excellence, optimism, passion, tenacity and friendliness; Skills include communication, relationships, self-management and knowledge. Some people skills will help in managing people and the pressure of handling their problems. Both can be developed. One of the greatest of all character traits is humility. Until you can be managed well, you cannot manage well, and being managed definitely requires humility! You will not lead well until you put the needs of others before your own and you won't invest time in others until you realise you're not the centre of the universe. You won't be a learner or listener without humility. A lack of this can lead to stagnation and missing out on important feedback. Receiving and making the most of constructive criticism definitely demands humility; you won't improve unless you realise your need for it. Humility is not feeling bad or low about yourself; rather, it is having a realistic picture of who you are and becoming oblivious to self. No wonder the Master says if we are to be great we should stoop low to serve others.
Salt And Light
Jesus calls believers salt and light in Matthew 5:13-14 and Luke 14:34. Salt mixes and influences whatever it comes in contact with. It enhances the flavour and preserves. Jesus is the light of the world and when He comes into our lives, we become lights ourselves. Darkness represents ignorance and the Bible says darkness cannot overpower light. Light represents development and enlightenment. Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50). Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Col.4:6). We have all been affected by our nature, nurture and environment. It's time to let our new found relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ affects us so thoroughly that we can in turn influence others for Christ.
Christlikeness
The character of Christ, if developed in us, is the reflection of God's nature in us. We were made in the image of God and Jesus Christ is the express image of the Father God, according to Hebrews 1:3. We are destined to be conformed to the image of the Son, in character and power. All the best of characters are found in Christ. One Christ-like life has the power to influence many for years to come.
Sin as a nature was crucified on the cross of Christ on our behalf so we can now receive a new life and hence develop a new character- Christlikeness. It is possible to develop character traits by a lot of hard work and determination. Secular literature encourages us to take each trait and seek to develop it into ourselves. This is a possibility as some have succeeded in doing so. As Christians, when we have received the nature of Christ into our hearts, we endeavour to yield to that nature rather than develop something external to us. We feed that nature by feeding on God's Word and we exercise it by our heart-felt obedience to God in loving one another as He loved us. We learn to forgive, endure and hence develop the character traits that are found in Christ. All the character traits found in the book of 2 Peter 1:5-8 are to be developed in us as we yield to the nature of Christ in us. “Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue (a quality that elicited preeminent estimation for a person, intrinsic value, moral excellency), to virtue, knowledge, to knowledge, self-control, to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness, to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love.” No wonder we are helped to understand that love is patient and kind in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. God Himself is Love (1 John 4:8).
Major Steps In Becoming A Person Of Godly Influence
1. Be genuinely born again: receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and allow God's Word to be final authority in your life. When you yield to God's authority in your life, you are equipped to become a godly influence in the lives of others.
2. Become a worshipper of the Almighty God. When God takes His rightful place in your heart and life, you will find a greater effectiveness in your ability to influence others with His love, power and wisdom.
3. Feed on the Word of God regularly. Through study and meditation, we digest spiritually God's Word into our lives. Speaking to ourselves as we take in loads of His word is part of our feeding. Psalms 1:1-4.
4. Be a doer of the Word: walk in love; cast your cares; use your faith; do good to others; overcome evil with good; watch the thoughts you permit yourself to think; enforce God's word into your life.
5. Be a person of prayers: Ephesians 6:18 tells us to be prayerful for all. Let your prayers be in accordance with the Word of God.
6. Develop other traits and skills necessary for your success in life and be a developer of other people too. Develop skills in leadership, communication, time-management and goal setting and live your life with a passion for excellence.
7. Build healthy relationships with others and seek to be a blessing to others. Influence others for God and for their own good.
8. Become a constant learner, learning from your mistakes and from other people's writings. Always seek how to share with others what you are learning. Be a student of life and a student for life. There are things to learn and others to unlearn, things to add to your life and others to remove from your life.
9. Love God and love people. People know when they are genuinely loved. Be a lover of people. People will give you the gift of influence when these traits are seen in you.
Influence: this word has been around for a long time and its effect is seen throughout history. Both positive and negative influences can be seen to characterise the history of mankind. Good people have an effect on others for good and bad people have some influence that turns out bad. Everybody is being influenced by someone or something no matter who you are. Nobody is an island unto themselves. We see it all around us. Everyone is also contributing something to influence others. The question is not if we will influence others but rather what quality of influence we will generate in the lives of others.
On a more personal note, our success in life is very dependent on our ability to influence others. Leadership expert, John Maxwell, says leadership is influence and claims that your leadership lid can determine the level of success you can attain in life. A baby learns the power of influence as he cries for attention, young lovers learn how to influence loved ones and parents seek to influence their children for their good. We all need to influence and are influenced by others in many areas of our lives. We need to be careful how we influence others and how we allow ourselves to be influenced by others. Christians are left on earth by God to generate a godly influence which is so powerful that its effects are seen all over the world. God has given us all the ability to influence and be influenced and how we exercise this potential power is up to us. If we harness it for good, we are successful, otherwise we shall only have ourselves to this potential power given to us by God and use it for His glory, the good of mankind and our personal fulfilment as we fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives.
What Is Influence?
To influence is to change people's thoughts, actions and beliefs. “Hard power” for influence is when we use hard consequences like punishments or repercussions that are not desirable. When authority is exercised with this in mind there is power to influence but the heart is not necessarily touched. With “soft power” we receive influence that touches the heart; not just the mind. When there is a possible penalty meted out by a person in authority as the basis for the influence, we can call that “hard power”. There are times when that is the right kind of influence to use. So many times, that kind of influence can bring corrections and adjustment to young children. “Soft power” is when the heart is touched and there is willingness to be influenced from the heart of a person. Amongst nations, we see the use of sanctions as a means of influencing some changes in these nations, through the use of “hard power”. The question is, when is 'hard power' less or more effective than “soft power?” In this study we shall be looking at “soft power” for influencing others.
We influence people through writing, speaking and acting. It is up to us to use our influence for godly purposes and for His kingdom. How do we get people to change their thoughts, actions and beliefs? We cannot unless they give us the “permission” to do so. The question is, how do we earn that “permission?”
When we connect with people, care for them and are sensitive to them and their needs, then they see that we value them and they give us the gift of influence. “I am going to allow you to lead me” - that is the gift of influence. It is when people are willingly agreeing with you and going along with you with all their heart. People tend to trust you as they come to know you. Then they tend to distrust you as you abuse their trust. This is true in marriage, in church leadership and in business. We walk into every new relationship with a certain amount of trust equity by default. What we do with it makes all the difference. We need to invest wisely!
Character And Skills
There are two basic reasons why people will allow you to influence them: character and skill. Who we are is our character and what we can do is our skill. Our being and doing are two areas where we generate great influence. High skill and high character will lead to greater influence. Some of the character traits that people like to follow are as follows: Integrity, generosity, gratitude, excellence, optimism, passion, tenacity and friendliness; Skills include communication, relationships, self-management and knowledge. Some people skills will help in managing people and the pressure of handling their problems. Both can be developed. One of the greatest of all character traits is humility. Until you can be managed well, you cannot manage well, and being managed definitely requires humility! You will not lead well until you put the needs of others before your own and you won't invest time in others until you realise you're not the centre of the universe. You won't be a learner or listener without humility. A lack of this can lead to stagnation and missing out on important feedback. Receiving and making the most of constructive criticism definitely demands humility; you won't improve unless you realise your need for it. Humility is not feeling bad or low about yourself; rather, it is having a realistic picture of who you are and becoming oblivious to self. No wonder the Master says if we are to be great we should stoop low to serve others.
Salt And Light
Jesus calls believers salt and light in Matthew 5:13-14 and Luke 14:34. Salt mixes and influences whatever it comes in contact with. It enhances the flavour and preserves. Jesus is the light of the world and when He comes into our lives, we become lights ourselves. Darkness represents ignorance and the Bible says darkness cannot overpower light. Light represents development and enlightenment. Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50). Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. (Col.4:6). We have all been affected by our nature, nurture and environment. It's time to let our new found relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ affects us so thoroughly that we can in turn influence others for Christ.
Christlikeness
The character of Christ, if developed in us, is the reflection of God's nature in us. We were made in the image of God and Jesus Christ is the express image of the Father God, according to Hebrews 1:3. We are destined to be conformed to the image of the Son, in character and power. All the best of characters are found in Christ. One Christ-like life has the power to influence many for years to come.
Sin as a nature was crucified on the cross of Christ on our behalf so we can now receive a new life and hence develop a new character- Christlikeness. It is possible to develop character traits by a lot of hard work and determination. Secular literature encourages us to take each trait and seek to develop it into ourselves. This is a possibility as some have succeeded in doing so. As Christians, when we have received the nature of Christ into our hearts, we endeavour to yield to that nature rather than develop something external to us. We feed that nature by feeding on God's Word and we exercise it by our heart-felt obedience to God in loving one another as He loved us. We learn to forgive, endure and hence develop the character traits that are found in Christ. All the character traits found in the book of 2 Peter 1:5-8 are to be developed in us as we yield to the nature of Christ in us. “Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue (a quality that elicited preeminent estimation for a person, intrinsic value, moral excellency), to virtue, knowledge, to knowledge, self-control, to self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness, to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love.” No wonder we are helped to understand that love is patient and kind in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. God Himself is Love (1 John 4:8).
Major Steps In Becoming A Person Of Godly Influence
1. Be genuinely born again: receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and allow God's Word to be final authority in your life. When you yield to God's authority in your life, you are equipped to become a godly influence in the lives of others.
2. Become a worshipper of the Almighty God. When God takes His rightful place in your heart and life, you will find a greater effectiveness in your ability to influence others with His love, power and wisdom.
3. Feed on the Word of God regularly. Through study and meditation, we digest spiritually God's Word into our lives. Speaking to ourselves as we take in loads of His word is part of our feeding. Psalms 1:1-4.
4. Be a doer of the Word: walk in love; cast your cares; use your faith; do good to others; overcome evil with good; watch the thoughts you permit yourself to think; enforce God's word into your life.
5. Be a person of prayers: Ephesians 6:18 tells us to be prayerful for all. Let your prayers be in accordance with the Word of God.
6. Develop other traits and skills necessary for your success in life and be a developer of other people too. Develop skills in leadership, communication, time-management and goal setting and live your life with a passion for excellence.
7. Build healthy relationships with others and seek to be a blessing to others. Influence others for God and for their own good.
8. Become a constant learner, learning from your mistakes and from other people's writings. Always seek how to share with others what you are learning. Be a student of life and a student for life. There are things to learn and others to unlearn, things to add to your life and others to remove from your life.
9. Love God and love people. People know when they are genuinely loved. Be a lover of people. People will give you the gift of influence when these traits are seen in you.
