Tag: Influence

Salt and Light

Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth….you are the light of the world.”

Salt and light make a difference when present. The analogy for Christians indicates that our influence should make a difference for good.

Outside of the Gospels, the word salt is used only twice and both times (Col. 4:6; Jas. 3:12) it directly speaks to the influence of our words.

The use of light addresses our conduct (Mt. 5:16). Peter spoke about the type of conduct that contributes to the salvation of others (1 Pe. 2:12).

Let us use our influence (words and conduct) to lead others to Him.

Influence

“Leadership is influence. No more, no less,” John Maxwell.

Think about the good and bad influences in history: Napoleon, Hitler, Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, and Martin Luther King Jr. etc.

A search throughout the Bible points to numerous examples of powerful influence, but none greater than Jesus.

On a personal level, we know the influence of others in our life: parents, siblings, a preacher, elders, deacons, teachers, friends, a mentor, and the list goes on.

Influence represents the power to change others. A study of influence points us in the need for and the direction of positive change.

Walk

Take a moment in a crowded place and watch people walk. Some walk slower or faster than others and most carry something.

Where are they walking? What do they think about as they walk?

Figuratively, walking is a way of life that characterizes the whole of leadership. Leadership is not about a one time event or activity. It must be a way of life demonstrated in our conduct, lived in a way that influences the direction of others.

When someone tells us to go for a walk, perhaps we need to consider changing our conduct of life to lead as God wants us to lead.

Making a Difference

Jesus taught about the powerful nature of influence, identifying His disciples as the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.”

Jesus indicates we are to make a difference.

He uses an interesting term, “If the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything…”

This word involves health, specifically good health.

When used in the context of the analogy and leadership influence, we find a powerful idea.

As leaders in the kingdom of God, our influence should be that which contributes to the spiritual health and well-being of others.

Control

We often claim that someone needs to take control. We talk about people being controlling. We preach about self-control. We even discuss the need to be in control.

Why is it important for spiritual leadership?

When situations get out of hand, leaders must take control.
Spiritual leadership must not be controlling.
Leaders should be the epitome of self-control.
We look to these leaders when someone needs to be in control.

When leaders know how to use their power of influence in a Biblical and godly way, people’s behavior and the course of events can be shaped in ways to change eternity.

Global Leadership

How does the word global have a place in leadership?

The influence of one person can move a nation, lead an army, direct a revolution, carve out a place in history, or change the life of one person.

We far too often underestimate what can be done with the influence we have on the circle of people we meet on a daily basis.

Instead of thinking how can we do something revolutionary, why not think of changing the life of one person. Who knows how God may be working through the person we influence to make a global difference.

Leading by Example

The idea of setting an example for others is nothing new. Nestled in this principle is an understanding of influence. We influence people everyday. Some we influence for what is right and some for wrong. The difference is based in our example.

Setting an example is connected to consistency. Mahatma Ghandi is noted as saying we must become the change we want to see.

Setting an example is also associated with servanthood. The only time Jesus gave an example He said to follow was related to being a servant.

To be the leaders God needs today, we need to understand the significance identified with setting the example.

Responsibility in Leadership

Leadership involves responsibility. The higher one goes in leadership, the greater the responsibility.

We could also say we live in a culture where the common practice is one of blaming others. The problem is not cultural. This practice has been in place since the creation of humanity. We have not changed much as people in the twenty-first century.

Leadership seeks and takes responsibility for their actions.

Leaders give credit to the team in victory, but take full responsibility in defeat.

Rarely do we find such integrity and leadership. Yet, when leaders seek and take responsibility for their actions their influence grows.

Abnormal Spiritual Leaders

Normal in one culture will certainly be different in another culture. As well, normal in the mind of a child will not be normal in the mind of an adult.

Regardless of how we might think about a normal life, there is nothing normal about spiritual leadership.

Spiritual leaders…

are concerned about the nature of their influence.
live consistently with what they believe.
know the mission.
work for a cause far greater than themselves.
share the planning and development of the goals.
produces results that glorify God and fulfill His will.

Look at how the first word of each thought develops a spiritual leader.

Temperance

Temperance avoids excesses, especially areas that distract us from a godly life.

What makes temperance important to the Christian life?

Answers range from one person to the next, but the fact remains that Paul and Peter identify the need for Christians to grow in temperance.

Consider how the definition factors into leadership. A lack of temperance indicates the potential of participating to excess in areas that destroy the godly influence leaders need.

Growing in temperance indicates a life of balance. Leaders with temperance understand limits, specifically limits established by God to protect us physically and spiritually.