Influence is Not Force

Thoughts from Influence by Philip E. Morrison and Hankuri Tawus Gaya:

Many leaders use power and position to compel others to do what they want. This may be through political leverage, military power, economic advantage, or spiritual authority. Think of a politician’s privileged advantage of speeding past others in the traffic, or a rich person bribing to escape punishment for breaking the law. Jesus describes how the rulers of the world lord it over their subjects because of power and position (Mark 10:42). 

Even disciples of Christ can fall into this pattern. But the way of the world’s power is not to be the way of the Christian. Jesus says this is not to be true of us. The servant lead­er cannot use force. Usually, servant leaders do not have institutional or positional power. They must influence hearts, so their followers willingly change or act.

The New Testament redefines power in the life and ministry of the believer. Power is not based on physical, intellectual, social, economic, or political superiority. Instead, power is expressed in service and weakness. As an influencer, Jesus demonstrated this through his life. Remember, he was not one of the successful people whose power came from his wealth, physical appearance, education, or status. He was not very remarkable in the world’s eyes. Jesus was an ordinary man, a young carpenter, with no position or earthly power. He was an itinerant rabbi with an eclectic entourage of fishermen, tax-gatherers, and rebels, with one who would eventually betray him. Yet Jesus exercised great influence. He identified with us in weakness. He showed us that God is in the ordinary. 

The way Jesus accomplished his mission was by influence rather than force. He could have displayed his divine power in terrifying lightning and earthquakes, in immediate judgment, to make people repent and believe. Instead, He selected 12 disciples, poured his life into them for three years, taught them, ate with them, and served with them. After His ascension, He released them to influence others with the message of the gospel. They turned the world upside down! Not with force, but with service.

Can you think of when you tried to use power and position versus a time you served with love? How did the results compare?