Are you a leader? Do you want to be influential? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then this study series ‘Wisdom for Influence’ should interest you. Join me, let’s learn together.
What Is Influence?
“Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something” -Oxford Dictionary.
A person of influence is someone with leadership in a given sphere, someone whose words, presence or actions motivates and drives people to act or respond in a particular way.
According to John C. Maxwell; “the true measure of leadership is influence nothing more, nothing less“.
What Is Wisdom?
The webster unabridged dictionary defines wisdom as the capacity to make due use of knowledge.
What Is Biblical Wisdom?
From the Bible, we learn that the preeminent and choice part of wisdom comes from a reverent fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), and insights into the workings of life come from the knowledge of God. The bible remains the truest, purest and most reliable source of the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:6).
Do you need Wisdom for Influence?
The topic ‘Wisdom for Influence’ aims to explore biblical insights and approaches to leadership for wider application to everyday life. So if you are you occupy any leadership position or seeks to be influential, then you need wisdom for influence.
Biblical Insights and Truths to Influence and Leadership
1. True Influence comes from God
Like we see with the shrewd manager in Luke 16:1-8, influence can be bought. Influence can also be gotten through philanthropy and generosity (Acts 9:36-43). However as we read throught the bible, we find that widespread and overwhelming influence is orchestrated by God.
Abraham is celebrated across different religions as a great patriarch. How did Abraham become so influential?
God’s promise to Abraham in Ur before he departed for the promise land was a promise to make him influential…
“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bleoss those wh bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:2-3 NKJV
Abraham accumulated great wealth through his sojourn from Ur to Canaan, and although Abraham was a hardworking farmer and herdsman, in Genesis 12:2-3 God states clearly that He is the One who would make Abraham influential. Indeed, God repeats and emphasizes the word “I” at least 4 times in that portion of scripture.
In 2 Chronicles 1:11-12, Solomon asks God for wisdom to lead and govern His people, in response, God promises to give Solomon great wealth, riches, honor and glory. Solomon’s influence came from God.
True influence comes from God. He is the One who exalts and promotes (Psalms 75:6-7).
Abraham’s Wisdom for Influence
Abraham trusted God, obeyed God and walked by faith in God’s Word. He left his comfort zone at Ur to an unknown land. Can you imagine relocating from where you currently reside to an unknown destination because a voice told you so?
Abraham exhibited great faith walking into the unknown simply at God’s command.
Solomon’s Wisdom for Influence
God’s response to Solomon followed Solomon’s request for God’s help in governance.
Solomon was grateful for God’s kindness and goodness towards his father David. He was grateful for the kingdom God gave him to be king over; ‘a nation as full of people as the earth is full of dust‘ (2 Chronicles 1:9). And a grateful Solomon wanted so desperately to boast of The Lord’s goodness and to display God’s magnanimity towards him and his household. Therefore he assembled all the army officers and judges of Gibeon and all political/religious leaders of Israel at the Old Tabernacle for a showdown. After 1000 burnt offerings, God responded to Solomon’s gratitude by issuing him a blank cheque-he can ask for whatever he wants. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God’s people. In otherwords, Solomon asked for Wisdom for Influence
“Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” II Chronicles 1:11-12 NKJV
Just reading a bit of Abraham’s and Solomon’s journey to influence we see that total dependence on God is necessary for enjoying Godly influence. We must trust, believe and have faith in God and His Word and also be ready to obey and follow His leading, living in total submission to His will.
Please join me in the next part as we consider another wisdom nugget for influence.
