A Leader Grows In His Influence

Behold, the world is gone after him. John 12:19

What a blessing it would be if every leader grew in his influence! A leader increases his scope of influence as he grows in the art of leadership. Jesus had influence over a large number of people. The Bible tells us that the whole world went after Jesus. The Pharisees were very disturbed over this. The devil will be afraid of the influence of a true leader because a true leader influences a large number of people.

The key to growing in your influence is to grow in your influence over smaller sub-groups of people. The cumulative effect of your influence and control over these sub-groups will give you a larger sphere of influence. When a person is a leader at heart, even his seniors will follow him. The Apostle Paul taught Timothy to establish his influence over sub-groups in his church.

Seven Groups of People You Must Influence
1. You must influence older men
Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 1 Timothy 5:1

2. You must influence younger men
Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 1 Timothy 5:1

3. You must influence older women
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:2
4. You must influence younger women
The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:2
5. You must influence servants
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

1Timothy 6:1
6. You must influence rich people Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 1 Timothy 6:17

7. You must influence leaders
Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:17
Timothy grew in his ministry until all sorts of people were part of his church. Apostle Paul had to show him how to handle all the different types of people who were responding to his gift of leadership.

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

1 Timothy 5:1,2
Remember that a leader negotiates with authorities on behalf of his followers. A leader must have some influence to be able to do this. This is a vital part of leadership. A leader will always have to deal with authorities. Learn to be someone who solves problems. Pray for wisdom to deal with unreasonable and difficult authorities. God will give you wisdom every time.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God
James 1:5
Getting approval from various authorities is one of the tasks of a good leader. When I was a student, I had to get permission from principals of schools in order to use their classrooms for meetings I wanted to hold. Getting permission for what you want to do is not always as simple as it may sound. A good leader is able to make higher authorities trust him enough to grant him what he needs to accomplish his vision.

I see you developing in the art of leadership until all sorts of people respond to your influence!

By Dag Heward-Mills 
theaol@ymail.com

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